The quest for a quarter-final spot gets under way on Wednesday for Ghana and Australia who will be looking to hit the ground running in their opening match at China 2007.

Norway are favourites to top Group C, with the other three teams, including Canada, likely to be battling it out for second place.

Australia have yet to win a game at a FIFA Women's World Cup - two draws and seven defeats is their record to date - meaning that Ghana will start as slight favourites, even though at 47th, they are the lowest FIFA-ranked team among the qualifiers.

The match Ghana-Australia, Hanghzou, Wednesday 12 September, 17:00 (local time)

The stakes Every game between the three less fancied teams in the group will feel doubly important given the strength of the Norwegians. And with it being the opening game, victory seems imperative for both teams.

The players Some of the Ghana players are suffering from minor niggles while Australia's Lisa De Vanna missed a recent training session as a precautionary measure. However, both coaches should have full squads to choose from on Wednesday.

The past The two teams are soon going to know each other by heart. This is the third time that they will have met at a FIFA Women's World Cup, with the sides drawing 1-1 in 1999 before Ghana recorded a 2-1 victory in 2003.

The words We really need the three points on offer. Opening the competition with a win will be vital if we want to go beyond the first round. It will take some of the pressure off and allow us to be more relaxed about the next two matches - Dianne Alagich, Australia defender

It's a key match. If we win it, it will open up the group a little more and take some of the pressure off before our second match - Isaac Paha, Ghana coach.

Credit:FIFA.com