It's win or go home for the Canadian women when they face Australia in the final game of the opening round at the Women's World Cup on Thursday (CBC, 4:45 a.m. ET).

Australia (1-0-1) is in the driver's seat for securing a Group C berth into the second round thanks to Sara De Vanna's goal in the 83rd minute against Norway, which salvaged a draw. Australia can advance to the next round with a win or a tie against Canada.

Canadian keeper Erin McLeod (18) hopes to celebrate Thursday with Randee Hermus (11) and Sophie Schmidt (19).
(Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

Canada (1-1) rebounded from an opening loss to Norway to blank Ghana 4-0 on Saturday. Captain Christine Sinclair had two goals to bring her international total to 83, with Sophie Schmidt and Martina Franko also scoring.

Many of the same Canadian players were on the 2003 World Cup team that staved off elimination against Japan before finishing fourth.

Coach Even Pellerud remains confident this team can repeat the feat.

"We have a strong team, a healthy team," he told the Canadian Press. "I don't doubt the team's ability or the players' skills. I think it's a lot about belief.

"We approach this with a very aggressive mentality. We need to attack. I think everyone is in line with that."

The diminutive De Vanna has accounted for three of Australia's goals, with forward Sara Walsh scoring twice. Matildas coach Tom Sermanni has employed De Vanna as a substitute off the bench in the first two games.

Taking nothing for granted

Canadian midfielder Kara Lang said the team is not taking No. 15 ranked Australians for granted.

"They are very dangerous offensively. They create a lot between their forwards and make a lot of dangerous attacking runs. We are going to have to be on top of that."

Barring anything unforeseen, Erin McLeod will be Canada's keeper, with Melissa Barbieri in the Australian net.

Canada and Australia are 6-6-1 in previous women's matches.

De Vanna said the Aussies won't be playing for another stalemate, even though that would be good enough for advancement.

"We're not happy with a draw, we want to win, to prove to the world that we are a good country," De Vanna told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Sermanni said his side would be wary of Canada's prowess on set pieces, which are usually taken by defender Kristina Kiss.

After playing the first two games in Hangzhou, Canada will compete Thursday at the 38,000-seat Chengdu Sports Centre Stadium, in Sichuan province.

Team Canada has been living and training together since January, a first for a Canadian soccer team. Given that, an early departure would be a bitter blow.

If Canada wins, they will likely finish second in the group as Norway (1-0-1) is heavily favoured to advance. The Norwegians take on Ghana on Thursday.

Both Group C matches were postponed a day due to Typhoon Wipha.

With files from the Canadian Press