FIFA Women's World Cup Quarterfinals Preview

4 matches will determine the quarterfinals & their placings in the ongoing FIFA women's soccer world cup in China. Here's some preview stories from the FIFA website:

Norway just a step away - In their last game, Norway came within just seven minutes of booking their place in the quarter-finals. Had it not been for Lisa De Vanna's leveller in the 1-1 draw with Australia, this final Group C encounter would have been a mere formality for the Scandinavians. Instead, despite looking well placed to qualify, Bjarne Berntsen's girls must stay focused for another 90 minutes because their already-eliminated opponents Ghana will be out to leave China on a high.

Australia hold upper hand - Section leaders Australia hold the upper hand going into their concluding Group C game against Canada, who rest one point shy of both them and Norway. But while a point would be good enough to send the exciting Matildas through to the last eight, Tom Sermanni will be urging his players to go out and secure top spot, which would avoid a probable encounter with the on-song Brazilians in the quarter-finals. After a convincing 4-0 win over Ghana in their previous outing, though, Canada and their in-form skipper Christine Sinclair will be confident they can do enough to gain a place in the knockout stage.

Hosts' hopes in the balance for China - Not only was China PR's 4-0 defeat by Brazil their heaviest in the history of the FIFA Women's World Cup, it also dealt a significant blow to the host nation's prospects of progressing to the last eight. With two wins out of two and a plus-nine goal difference, Brazil already have a quarter-final place effectively assured, leaving China and Denmark to contest Group D's second qualifying berth in Thursday's final games.

Last chance for Denmark - Facing a Brazil team with two wins from two games and no goals conceded, Denmark have it all to do in their final Group D outing if they are to advance to the quarter-finals. The South Americans have effectively secured their qualification already and if, as expected, China see off the challenge of New Zealand, the Danes will need to claim all three points in Hangzhou.