[Football] Women's World Cup

[Simster]

Australia tonight then. Win win for us. Either they qualify and it's good for the tournament or they get knocked out and it's FUNNY because it's Australia.

 

[Jack Straw]

I've admired the way Japan play for a few years now. Wonderful performance against Spain.

 

[zeetha]

Just watched the USA - Portugal match and the USA were absolutely hanging on at the end and were a post away from going out of the World Cup. They finish 2nd in their group behind the Netherlands. The times they are a-changing (hopefully!)

 

[hart's shirt]

Just watched the USA - Portugal match and the USA were absolutely hanging on at the end and were a post away from going out of the World Cup. They finish 2nd in their group behind the Netherlands. The times they are a-changing (hopefully!)

Yes, the USA rode their luck at the end with the woodwork and an unconvincing keeper. There was always going to be a drop off from the side that won the last 2 tournaments with ageing. A 38 year old Rapinoe coming off the bench isn't likely to strike fear into the heart of any defender with a modicum of pace. Like Canada's 40 year old Sinclair, it looks like being a tournament too far.

That said, there's a danger of writing them off too quickly though - they drew against the Netherlands and had 17 shots today against Portugal's 6 and wouldn't have deserved to lose the game. A likely R16 game against Sweden might well be the tie of the round.

As for England today, it's all about the performance. Better positioning with the centre-backs and creativity without Walsh in midfield. And in a group where all 4 games have ended in a 1-0 scoreline, more than 1 goal would be nice.

 

[zeetha]

Definitely not writing them off - just happy to see that they aren't quite as invincible as they once were which gives me hope they won't win their 3rd World Cup in a row. They don't seem quite as together as a team, and are making mistakes that teams could capitalize on which may come into play as the tournament progresses if they don't improve.

Hope we get more than 1 goal from the Lionesses later too. We have been pretty much unconvincing other than the first 20 mins of the last match. Hope we don't go into it just trying to get a draw to win the group. I don't think we will, but you never know how pressure and expectation will affect a team.

 

[hart's shirt]

The invincibility went for me last October when England beat them at Wembley. They're a team in transition, but the transition doesn't seem to have been completed yet.

As an example, there's 2 clear age groups between the forwards in the US squad, an 8 year age gap between those who are moving towards the end of their careers, and those who haven't fully developed. That might take at least a couple of years to resolve.

Older: Rapinoe (38), Morgan (34), Williams (30)
Young: Smith (22), Rodman (21), Thompson (18)

 

[zeetha]

Three changes for England as Hemp, Zelem and Carter come in for Walsh, Toone and Kelly. Should mean Daly is further forward and more attacking - fingers crossed!

 

[Mackenzie]

Come on England!

 

[Mackenzie]

Boom


Nice finish that.

 

[zeetha]

Russoooooo! Instrumental in the buildup and finished with a smooth strike. England 1 up in 5 minutes!

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Much better.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

the USA rode their luck at the end with the woodwork and an unconvincing keeper.

Maybe they should bring Hope Solo out of retirement

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

That's one helluva saving tackle from the Chinese defender. Certain goal

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Lovely goal

 

[Mackenzie]

Bosh.

its 2!

 

[zeetha]

China had come back into it, but Bright intercepts and sets off a fast move forward that Hemp finishes!!

 

[hart's shirt]

Much better performance so far with 2 well-taken goals.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Best I have seen England play in ages. This is a very good performance so far.

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

In other news, I love listening to Emma Hayes. It's like a little football lesson each time

 

[Mackenzie]

Ohhh so close


They‘re playing this perfectly