Monday, July 11, 2011

Women's World Cup Update - Quarterfinals Wrapup

With the conclusion of the U.S.'s epic win in penalties against Brazil yesterday, the field at the Women's World Cup is down to four teams: France, Sweden, Japan and the United States. Here's a quick recap of the quarterfinal matchups and some semifinal previews:

FRANCE 1 ENGLAND 1 - France wins 4-3 on penalties

Élise Bussaglia scored in the 87th minute to force extra time and France prevailed on penalties when team captain Faye White's final kick struck the crossbar. France, though ranked 7th in the World are playing in just their second World Cup and had never previously advanced beyond the group stage. The 25 year old Bussaglia changed their fate though with the 19th goal of her international career and 3rd of 2011. England was playing in their 3rd World Cup and all three times now they have fallen in the quarterfinals. 24 year old Jill Scott had given England the lead on her 2nd goal of the World Cup in the 59th minute, but it wouldn't be enough. France will now take on the United States in the semifinals.


JAPAN 1 GERMANY 0 - Overtime


Karina Maruyama scored in the 108th minute to break a scoreless draw and send the hosts and two-time reigning champions home in the quarterfinals for just the second time in six trips to the World Cup. Germany surrendered the same amount of goals in this World Cup (4) as they had the previous two World Cups, a 12 game span where they outscored their opponents 46-4. Japan, the 4th ranked team in the world, was only advancing beyond the group stage for the 2nd time in their history and this will be the first time they've ever advanced beyond the quarterfinals. For the 28 year old Maruyama it was her first goal of the World Cup and it couldn't have come at a bigger time. Japan was outshot by the Germans 23-9 with Ayumi Kaijori picking up her second shutout of the tournament. Japan will now take on Sweden in the semifinals.


SWEDEN 3 AUSTRALIA 1


In the only semifinal match that didn't require extra time the Swedes, the only unbeaten team remaining after Germany and Brazil lost, defeated the Australians 3-1. Therese Sjögran, with the Swedish national team since 1997, got the Swedes on the board just ten minutes into the match with her first goal of the tournament, and teammate added her team high third a little over 5 minutes later. Australia would battle back though with 20 year old Ellyse Perry scoring a lovely goal into the top left corner just before halftime to cut the deficit to 2-1. Perry's actually quite a story as in addition to being a member of the Australian Women's National Soccer Team, she's also a member of their National Cricket Team participating in the 2009 World Cup helping the Aussies to a 4th place finish. Anyhow, any real chances Australia had of coming back were erased early in the second half when they turned the ball over deep in their own end and Lotta Schelin dribbled around keeper Melissa Barbieri and scored easily to make it 3-1. Sweden, the only 4-0 team in the tournament has conceded just 2 goals thus far and will now face off against the Japanese. Unlike their Asian counterparts, this will be Sweden's third trip to the semifinals having finished 3rd in 1991 and 2nd in 2003.

UNITED STATES 2 BRAZIL 2 - U.S won 5-3 on penalties

In one of the most exciting games in Women's Soccer History, the U.S. stole a match from the Brazilians with the latest goal ever scored in World Cup history, a 122nd minute strike from Abby Wambach. Wambach's goal tied the match and send it to penalties where the U.S. hit all 5 and Hope Solo made a hug save against Daiane on Brazil's third shot to clinch the victory. It was a rough day for the 28 year old Daiane who in addition to having her penalty kick saved also scored an own goal just a little over a minute into the match to put the U.S. up 1-0. Brazil got back into the game though on a controversial red card call against Rachel Buehler that set up an eventual penalty kick goal by Marta. Cristiane initially attempted the penalty which was saved by Solo, only to have the penalty retaken due to an apparent encroachment call against the United States. Brazil would capitalize on the man advantage early in the overtime period as Marta got some separation from Shannon Boxx in the box and scored a beautiful goal that deflected in off the back post. It appeared Brazil had the game in hand if not for the late game heroics from Wambach on the pinpoint cross from second half substitute Megan Rapinoe. A short while later Ali Krieger's penalty kick would propel the U.S. to the semifinals. Had the U.S. been eliminated it would have marked the worst showing for the U.S. in World Cup history. They have never finished lower than 3rd place in their five previous appearances. The U.S. will now take on France in the semifinals.


JAPAN (3-1-0) vs SWEDEN (4-0-0)

Japan actually enters this match ranked higher than the Swedes as FIFA has them 4th and Sweden 5th in the latest world rankings. The two sides actually played each other in a World Cup tuneup the week before the World Cup with the teams playing to a 1-1 draw so don't expect Japan to be intimidated. While Sweden may have beaten the U.S. twice this year, Japan had the distinction of beating Germany in the World Cup, something that hadn't been done since 1999. I expect this one to be a close game, but I give Sweden the edge based on the fact that they've been here before while Japan has not. Prediction: Sweden 1, Japan 0.

Photo Courtesy: sports.yahoo.com

USA (2-1-1) vs FRANCE (2-1-1)

Number one ranked United States takes on 7th ranked France after both sides advanced to the semifinals with come from behind shootout wins. The USA overcame a 2-1 overtime deficit against Brazil on Abby Wambach's 122nd minute goal while France got an 87th minute strike from Élise Bussaglia to tie up England. Both teams figure to be emotionally and physically drained after their quarterfinals matches so it will be interesting to see who gets up more for the semis. The U.S. and France have not played over the last 5 years but both sides beat Canada this year (U.S. 2-1, France 4-0), and both sides had trouble with England (U.S. losing 2-1, France winning on PKs after drawing 1-1). From an experience standpoint the edge has to go to the U.S. as France is only appearing in their second World Cup and never before had they advanced beyond the group stage. Still, as you know, you can't underestimate anyone at this point. That said, I still think this is the U.S.'s tournament to lose. Prediction: USA 2 France 0.


Photo Courtesy: newsobserver.com

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