A historic moment awaits as Zambia's women's national team, ranked 77th by FIFA, steps onto the world stage for their first-ever Women's World Cup (WWC) appearance. As the lowest-ranked team in Group C, they face an uphill battle against more seasoned opponents. While Zambia has displayed commendable attacking prowess, their defensive frailties have been a cause for concern. Conceding eight goals in their three pre-tournament friendlies against strong sides like the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland, and even sensationally beating Germany, has raised questions about their ability to hold their ground. Nevertheless, the fact that they managed to score eight goals against these highly-ranked teams indicates they can be a threat going forward and could potentially unsettle the 11th-ranked Japan. Japan, affectionately known as Nadeshiko Japan, enters the tournament with the aspiration to revive the golden era of the 2010s. Having won the 2011 WWC and finishing as runners-up in 2015, Japan's past achievements are impressive. However, this time around, the competition may be tougher, and their narrow one-goal victories in 2015 highlight the tight margins they faced. The 2023 Japan squad boasts several talented players who ply their trade in the prestigious English Women's Super League. With players like Yui Hasegawa from Manchester City and Risa Shimizu from West Ham United leading the charge, their recent 5-0 victory over Panama showcased their attacking prowess, with a total of ten goals scored in their last four matches. In this clash, all eyes will be on Zambia's star striker Barbra Banda, who played a key role in their 2022 COSAFA Women's Championship victory, scoring a remarkable 10 goals in the tournament. On the other hand, 19-year-old Japanese sensation Maika Hamano could be the player to watch for Japan, especially in the absence of Mana Iwabuchi. Hamano, who recently moved to Chelsea before being loaned out to Hammarby IF, has already shown her potential by helping them secure their first Swedish Cup title since 1995. One noteworthy statistic that could add excitement to the match is that Zambia has seen an average of 3.17 second-half goals scored across their last six outings. This indicates that they can produce entertaining and goal-filled encounters, making the match against Japan all the more intriguing. As Zambia steps onto the global stage, the footballing world will be watching eagerly to witness their debut performance against the formidable Japanese side. While the odds may be stacked against them, the unpredictability of football and Zambia's attacking prowess could make this a captivating encounter. Japan, however, with their rich footballing history and talent in their ranks, will be keen to start their campaign on a strong note. The stage is set for a thrilling match as Zambia and Japan lock horns in the Women's World Cup.