Matchday 4 – Player of the Match

Members of our Technical Study Group (TSG) are attending every game of the tournament and are tasked with awarding the Player of the Match accolades. When choosing the recipient of the accolade, our experts consider the player's tactical, physical and mental contribution to their team's performance.

Player of the Match: (19) Montserrat Saldivar (MEX)

Montserrat Saldivar's 85^th minute goal secured all three points for Mexico in a thrilling encounter against Spain in Group C. Saldivar also had a key role in the build-up to Mexico's opener before making the vital touch at the back post for the match-winner. She had the most attempts at goal (7) of any player and was a constant threat in the final third.  

Technical expert Mónica Vergara explains Saldivar's prominance in the game: "She is a player with great physical energy and runs the entire left wing in both an attacking and defending perspective. She is a very fast player, is skilful on the ball and she has a lot of character and determination in 1v1s. She can take players on, receive the final pass or play into the centre,"

"She is very committed to the needs of her team. When attacking, she is difficult for the opponent to defend against because she is unpredictable, but when her team needs to defend, she commits fully and willingly to doing the hard work that is needed. She is great team player with wonderful individual skill," she added.  

Player of the Match: (11) Linda Caicedo (COL)

Linda Caicedo's two goals secured Colombia a 2-0 victory over China PR in Group C's other game. It is no surprise that the Colombia captain's fine display saw her receive the TSG's Player of the Match award. 

Caicedo was strong in possession and clinical in front of goal, scoring her brace from her only two attempts on goal. Caicedo's presence in build-up was also integral as she orchestrated eleven line breaks and completed 58 distributions – both table-topping figures for the match. 

Vergara observed the match and was impressed by the captain, "She is a player with personality, has wonderful technique and is very dangerous in open spaces. She is very aggressive and brave in 1v1's and generates powerful changes speed and direction in tight spaces."

"She creates goal-scoring opportunities, her timing is very good, she reads the game so well and knows how to get herself into the right place at the right time to finalise plays. She is also a generous player and plays for her team-mates, giving very good assists when others are in better positions to score and I really like that in a player," she concluded.

Player of the Match: (8) Miharu Shinjo (JPN) 

Japan put in a hugely impressive performance for their 4-0 victory over Canada in Group D. Central to that performance was the contribution of midfielder Miharu Shinjo, who was selected by our TSG as the player of the match.

She was secure in possession, clocking 92 seconds on the ball: the highest of any player in the game and 62 seconds more than average. Shinjo was also ranked second overall for offers to receive (64), balls received (66) and completed distributions (51). 

Tom Sermanni observed this game and commented, "She helped dominate the game for Japan both from an attacking and defending perspective. In possession, her support play, quality of passing and decision-making were outstanding."

"She provided the foundation for much of Japan's incisive attacking football. Equally impressive was her defensive awareness and ability to put immediate pressure on the opposition and to regain possession. She put in a really impressive performance," he added.

Player of the Match: (21) Violeth Mwamakamba (TAN) 

In one of the upsets of the tournament so far, Tanzania beat France 2-1 to go second in Group D. The Serengeti Girls' physical and tight-marking system caused difficulties for France. From this robust defensive platform, Tanzania were able to build-up play and grow into the game. At the heart of the system was centre-back Violeth Mwamakamba, who carried out her role superbly, and was consequently the TSG's player of the match.

According to technical expert Tom Sermanni, "She is a strong uncompromising defender and showed the ability to be the centre-back tasked with marshalling and marking the centre-forward, but she can also be the defender who drops off and sweeps. She was instrumental in nullifying the threat of France's main striker, Calba, with her disciplined and focused approach to her defensive duties. 

"She also made some critical challenges and interceptions. She was a key player in keeping France scoreless from open play," added Sermanni.