The USA women’s defeat of Canada under rainy skies, and in a game that included a rare prolonged weather break, showed a team that is steadily improving. Their possession (and confidence) seem stronger, especially the further they progress from their opening upset loss to Norway. An opening goal by Angela Hucles (most goals for the team with 2), was matched by the overtime game winner, a stunning header by Natasha Kai.
The semi-final match-up with Japan on Monday should prove as competitive as most games in the tournament thus far. The Japanese defeated a young Chinese team (featuring 8 players under age 22), 2-0. The talented veteran Hamare Sawa of Japan’s textbook header for goal number one proves she intends to give it her all before her post-Olympic retirement.
It was no cake-walk for Brazil, who fortunately created a padding for themselves with a 2-0 lead over Norway by late in the game (another one coming from Marta). Young keeper Barbara created a PK by taking down a Norwegian player in the box, and at 2-1, the Scandinavians kept attacking until the final whistle. What impresses about the Brazilians is how much they smile. Commentator Lori Walker mentioned the Brazilian expression, "Play Joyfully." I love that. It should be a motto for everyone. And the Brazilians clearly live by it.
In another overtime nail-biter, it took the German team until the 103rd minute to break a 0-0 deadlock against great play by Sweden. When the corner was set up, as my fellow viewer is my witness, I predicted: This is it; on a header by Kerstin Garefrekas. (I had to throw in I called this one, which I based on her phenomenal success on heading in crosses in big tournaments). After a second goal by Simone Laudehr on a very tough angle, the nail-biting let up.
Germany, which has not conceded a goal in not only this tournament, but in all of World Cup 2007, faces Brazil on Monday in a rematch of the 2007 Women’s World Cup final.
Nothing seems predictable. No player in the tournament has scored more than three goals. All games have had some fantastic play, with abundant talent in evidence. The contrast in styles (a broadcast that switches straight from the physical Canadians to the technical Japanese) has made these soccer games incredibly entertaining. The US has done well to incorporate a bit of everything into their game, and couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to reach the final.
SBS Blogger
Being that I have spent 11 years of my life in Sweden I consider myself part Swedish. I have played with and or against the majority of players currently on their National Team. I want so much for them to succeed being I know how much time and energy they put into their game each week on a yearly basis. But today's match against China seems to be a reoccurring saga in their quest for a championship.
Sweden are a tactically and technically sound team with a few players that can spice it up a bit. In this match, China was fortunate to get on the board rather quickly when a shot ricocheted off the post onto an oncoming player who slotted it past Hedvig Lindahl. Sweden creates the majority of their chances off of transition which they are very good at doing. I believe they have the player clientele to step up their pressure a bit and win the ball a little higher up on the pitch so they will have more numbers going forward in transition. They have players that can take people on in the attacking third but it is not often their possession starts that high up the pitch.
Sweden evened the score through transition, Keeper Lindahl to Svensson just over midfield who played a great ball in front of Lotta Schelin. Schelin took a touch around the out rushing Chinese keeper and slotted it in off the far post. This was the energy they needed and Sweden seemed to take over the match. The Swedes need to be creative not only one-v-one but in combination with their own players as well, making them not so predictable. When they find themselves in possession in their opponents half against an organized defense, they have to start to create things off the ball but they were very still.
Needless to say the Chinese are a very good squad and are equally as dangerous when opportunity permits. They did a good job taking the space away for Sweden and capitalized on an opportunity to score in the second half. With nothing to lose now, I was sure Sweden would start to push numbers forward and try to get end line, but their game never changed. I once again find myself disappointed in a team that has so much potential but cannot seem to paint the pitch with it.
Heja Sverige!!! Delle #17
Among the things you always wanted to know...
I got the following info from a book called "The Origin of Everyday Things," (Sterling Publishing Company, 2006).
The oldest recorded game of soccer (called football everywhere but in the USA) occurred in China in the second and third centuries, B.C. It involved trying to kick a ball filled with feathers and air and into a small net held up with bamboo canes. The Romans also played a game similar to today's, using "underhanded tactics and maneuvers" which were loudly encouraged by the cheering crowds.
The Romans may have taken this game to Britain, but it is unclear whether it formed the present day version--except when it did begin, between the eighth and ninth centuries, it shared the uncivilized nature of the sport. One form of the game back then was "mob football," quite a raucous affair with an unlimited number of players.
Football got tangled up with rugby, until October 24, 1863, when the games became formally separated. A meeting of 11 London clubs at Cambridge University was organized. The Football Association was formed, which by 1871 already had 50 member clubs (and today the FA is quite famous, by the way).
Consider this: The first women's Olympic soccer competition was in the Atlanta Games in....1996. Need I say more? I will!
BRING ON WPS!!
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