Womens World Cup!

[mistermagic]

Well that was shit. Progress to the KO stage is not questionned though. Confident that we'll beat Mexico.

 

[Greenacres]

Great to see a Reading girl doing well for the England team. Don't watch too much of the Women's game but seems to be a massive focus on the 'names' rather than the up and coming players.

Think i'm right in saying that in the first 140 minutes of this league season Kirby had scored 7 goals for Reading. Far too good for the second division.

I can't profess to know much about Women's League football in this country, other than the fact that the ladies from our club have just been promoted to the division below WSL2, but I make a point of watching England internationals. Qualification games tend to be a bit of a stroll but there is undoubted quality in the squad, at tournaments it gets much harder as this one is proving, I am still confident that the team will progress beyond the group stage.

Kirby was excellent last night, she took her goal very well, but did easily enough to justify her starting place in the team. It was a much different game to that against France, not just the change in formation but also the level of energy and control of the game. I know it is often said that subs can change a game and in this case the introduction of Greenwood and Carney gave England something that the Mexicans could not cope with. Columbia will be a difficult game on Wednesday, after their shock win against the French, but last night should give England enough confidence to overcome them.

 

[Leewilson]

Hmmm, there's no easy route here for England. Winning the group would see us due to play the Germans in the quarters (no chance). Coming 2nd would see us due to play the Canadians in the quarters (again, little chance). Coming third would have us due to face either Brazil in the quarters or USA in round 2. Both very tough.

So yeah, if we get to the quarters, anything beyond that is a bonus.

2nd round matches aren't easy either mind:

Win the group (most likely Spain)
2nd in the group (most likely Norway, tough)
3rd in the group (either Japan or USA, ouch)

Still, one game at a time

 

[mistermagic]

Canada have been gash haven't they?

 

[G-Dragon]

Thailand vs Germany...the height difference.

 

[G-Dragon]

Thailand concede a goal on a set piece...not surprising.

 

[mistermagic]

Group A very much the draw group with both games ending in stalemates last night. Canada finish top while China pipe Holland to second.
In Group B the two big sides, Germany and Norway, both win their games and finish equal on points. Thailand finish third and will have to wait and see if they qualify as one of the 3rds.
Japan have pretty much sealed top spot in Group C so second spot is up for grabs between Switzerland and Cameroon who both lost to the world champions but both destroyed poor Ecuador (10-1 and 6-0 respectively).

 

[Super_horns]

Swiss took the lead but Cameroon have played very well and are in front.

 

[G-Dragon]

Alex Morgan starting for US <3

 

[G-Dragon]

Goooooooaal! Great goal by Wambach.

 

[Leewilson]

Sweden finishing 3rd on 3 points is a bit of a shock. They should still qualify just about mind.

I think England are pretty much there even if they lose tonight barring some very odd results. They should finish 3rd at worst in the group. Thailand's -7 goal difference in 3rd means England won't finish below them. Brazil's group looks weak and they should beat Costa Rica which would likely put them in 3rd with just 2 points.

Still, it'd be nice for England to win and top the group.

 

[Greenacres]

Looking forward to the game this evening, think England will put out a similar side to the game against Mexico, at least we should be spared the rather defensive set up from the France game. I really hope that Greenwood and Carney start as I reckon we presented a far greater threat with them on the pitch than sat on the bench. With a bit of luck Aluko will get a goal, think she needs to break her World Cup Finals duck in this game, even if it is a screaming tap-in from two yards!

 

[rudebwoyben]

I find it quite funny that Aluko displays pretty much the same deficiencies in her playing style that her brother does.
Kirby has to start. She has the hair of John Oster and the mixture of skill, awareness and tigerish that Peter Beardsley displayed as an England player. Actually, she has the hair of Peter Beardsley as well.

 

[mistermagic]

Hope France don't lose. The quality in this tournament isn't all that and we've been shocking in terms of having shots on target. Hopefully of a win against Mexico tonight and hopefully England/Colombia ends in a draw so that we can clinch top spot.

 

[Leewilson]

Hope France don't lose. The quality in this tournament isn't all that and we've been shocking in terms of having shots on target. Hopefully of a win against Mexico tonight and hopefully England/Colombia ends in a draw so that we can clinch top spot.

I'll be surprised if you don't beat Mexico. I thought they were very average against us. We only really turned up for 30 minutes and scored twice. I expect a French win.

 

[Leewilson]

Woohoo, we look so much better without Aluko and Scott playing. I actually like Scott but I do think she has her limitations as a player. We've actually got some real footballers out there in Kirby, Carney and Williams and are way too good for Columbia. Personally, I think Stoney should be starting alongside Houghton anyway.

This is good, apart from Bronze coming back in, I wouldn't change anything here.

It's so nice not to have to watch a team with Aluko and White making controlling the ball look difficult up front.

 

[Veggie Legs]

I didn't watch the Mexico game but England have been so much better tonight than against France. Not sure Colombia's defending is up to much but our attacking has looked really threatening.

 

[mistermagic]

5-0 der der der

 

[Super_horns]

Spain heading out with Costa Rica who miss out as one of the 2 worst 3rd place sides.

Think quarters will be:

China v USA
Germany V France
Japan v Brazil
Norway V Canada

 

[mistermagic]

This. Didn't watch England but they did score from set-pieces while Norway only conceded once against Germany defending superbly. Can't see past England going out in the 1st KO stage.
Would be disappointed if we were knocked out by the Koreans. All set for a quarter-final exit to Germany (again).

 

[Leewilson]

Norway is a very tough 2nd round match. I'd say it's a 50/50 game. It all depends on the approach Sampson takes. If we goes defensive, we'll lose. He needs to balance the team a little more than he has in the last two games but our 'technically excellent' players need to be on the pitch alongside some battlers. Personally, I'd go:

-------------------------Baardsley (by default)

Bronze--------Stoney-------Houghton-----------Greenwood

-------------------------Williams-------------------------------------

------------------Moore-----------Scott----------------------------

--------------------------Carney------------------------------------

----------------Kirby-------------Duggan-------------------------


I do have a nasty feeling Aluko will come back in though and spend 90 minutes running and miscontrolling. If not Duggan, I'd like to see Jodie Taylor.

 

[josephb88]

I'd never bet on Australia beating Brazil, but they mostly nullified Sweden in the only match I was able to see them play, so I'm not sure England should be too worried by any team in particular considering they probably have a fair bit more talent than Australia and should be able to set themselves up well to counter any opposition. I've not yet been able to see England play, but I'd like to think they have the quality and belief that they can well and truly beat Norway, but I know that national teams don't always succeed like you might expect, so I'm not counting in anything.

 

[mistermagic]

Norway have been very good especially against Germany. I just can't see England scoring in this one unfortunately.
Sweden on the other hand have been proper rubbish. Lotta Schelin hasn't done anything of note in the tournament as of yet.

 

[Super_horns]

Germans already 2 up.

 

[Kim Mitten]

yep, easy, Sweden look totally off the pace and the Germans have exploited it. Germany still remain the best team I've seen in this competition, they hardly need help like the Swedes are giving them here. Wasn't a penalty for me but Germany well worth a 2 goal lead.

 

[G-Dragon]

Germany definitely one of the strongest team in the tournament. China have looked good so far against Cameroon.

 

[mistermagic]

Really not surprised that Sweden got dicked (or is it cunted) by the Germans. They've been terrible all over the park. Can't defend, can't create chances and can't score. Up against Germans who can do all this stuff it was always going to be an uphill battle. China beat Cameroon 1-0 and are awaiting the winner of US/Colombia.

Today's the big day! 1st KO stage tie vs Korea. Would be dissapointed with elimination but don't think we'll beat Germany in the quarters. Hopefully we progress and give Germany a good game. Brazil/Australia kicks off before that. Can't see past a Brazilian victory for this one.

 

[mistermagic]

0-0 at half-time between Brazil and Australia. Australia look the better side, much more direct.

 

[The Iron]

Australia currently lead 1-0 with only a few minutes remaining. I think the Brazil goalkeeper will be having nightmares over her mistake for the goal though.

 

[Super_horns]

Good win for the Aussies.

Fancy France to win to tonight.