Women’s World Cup Group D Preview: Pernille Harder’s Reckoning Moment vs Sarina Wiegman’s Wit

• England will become the hunted this time after posing splendid results under Sarina Wiegman
• Along with the likes of the United States of America, the Lionesses will be among the tournament's favourites
• One of the game's most prolific strikers, Denmark's Pernille Harder, will be participating in her first World Cup

England's vast pool of brilliant players is starting to pay off after Sarina Wiegman's appointment in 2021. She has improved on the previous performances, winning the first major trophy after her Euro triumph last year.

Often lauded as one of the best women managers in the game, Wiegman will be hopeful of winning the World Cup after that bitter loss to the United States in the 2019 final.

Denmark, through their mercurial captain Pernille Harder will pose a significant threat in Group D, but Wiegman's charges are expected to sail through easily to the next round.

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Sports Brief has also done previews for Group A, Group B and Group C, Group E, Group F, Group G and Group H.

England

The Three Lionesses walk into this tournament as the borderline favourites to go all the way.

Their current trajectory more or less compares to Argentina's men's team - a long time of near misses despite having a star-studded squad, winning the continental trophy and clinching the finalissima before winning the grandest prize of it all.

Only that they don't have Lionel Messi - they have a pool of mini-Messis. Wiegman's work since she took over has been incredible. The Dutch manager has made a group of talented players tick.

Despite their talented squad, make no mistake, any team would miss the likes of Fran Kirby, Leah Williamson and Beth Mead. Luckily, they have the most expensive player in the world, Keira Walsh, running the show for them.

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They will be keen on bettering their semi-final finishes in 2015 and 2019.

Player(s) to watch; Alessia Russo, Keira Walsh, Lauren James

Haiti

Haiti's first-ever game at the World Cup will be baptism by fire when they play reigning European champions England.

But from their qualification journey, they will intent on offering more than just filling the spots in Australia and New Zealand.

Les Grenadieres skipper Nerilia Mondesir starred for the lower levels of the Haitian setup and will be expected to replicate the same form in the topmost competition.

Player(s) to watch; Nerilla Mondesir

Denmark

Lars Sondergaard will head downtown full of confidence after recording four victories in six and scoring seven goals in the process.

But whatever formation he will come up with, probably 4-3-3, his hopes will be pinned on one Pernille Harder. Reading Harder's CV and learning that she has never participated in a World Cup before is bonkers.

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But at 30, she will now lead her side. She might not have returned to those heights that saw Chelsea sign her in 2020, but on her good day, the newly signed Bayern Munich star can take down any defence.

Keep an eye out for Harder facing her former Chelsea teammates when they play England in the group stage and a potential round of 16 showdown against Sam Kerr's Australia.

Player(s) to watch; Pernille Harder

China

China's chances of replicating their monumental 1999 run and possibly going to one better will be firmly on their minds. After reaching the 1999 final, the Asian country has failed to make it past the quarterfinals since.

Head Coach Shui Qingxia is a celebrated figure in Chinese circles and after winning the Asian Cup, she will be yearning for more.

That win in Asia was their first trophy in 16 years and showed Chui's rigidity with the 4-4-2 formation, as they conceded only five goals.

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But in Group D, they will face sides whose attackers score for fun. That's why Waang Shanshan(should she be deployed in that role again) will need to be tuned throughout.

Tang Jiali has been a potent source of attacking ingenuity, and Chui will want her to carry the same form to the tournament.

Player(s) to watch: Tang Jiali, Waang Shanshan