The Olympic football tournament is only interesting because of women. Four years ago watching the men was a waste of time, but the women gave us some splendid matches, and this year we have all reasons to expect the same, if not better, after the fantastic Womens' World Cup in Canada.
Favourites are bound to be the defending Olympic and World Champions of USA, who are in group with France, Colombia and New Zealand. Among the team of USA superstars is the incredible Carli Lloyd, but also Ali Krieger, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan.
Expect USA to make it all the way!
It is a bit disappointing that Japan, in full process of changing their team from the World Cup, did not qualify. Instead, the big challengers for gold will likely be Brazil and Germany.
Brazil is in group with China, Sweden and South Africa, where at least Sweden and China should also be considered contenders. Brazil nevertheless, captained by the legendary Marta, will be under pressure to take a gold medal home for Brazil. Other veterans, as Formiga and Cristiane.
Germany are in a group with Canada, Australia and Zimbabwe, where Canada should be the one mostly considered favourites alongside the Germans. Germany is captained by the veteran superstar Anja Mittag, and Germany are sure to be contenders for the title.
No matter what, I would highly recommend to watch the womens' tournament rather than the mens', as I believe there will be much more entertainment, drama, and frankly, much better quality in the Women's football tournament.
Showing posts with label Carli Lloyd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carli Lloyd. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 02, 2016
Monday, July 06, 2015
USA World Champion
In reality the World Cup final between Japan and the USA was over in the first 16 minutes, when USA was leading 4-0. The Americans, and most notably Carli Lloyd, had started like lightning, while the Japanese defense had not realized that the match had started.
Japan's defense was dreadful during most of the match, but this does not take the credit away from the USA. Carli Lloyd's three goals were fantastic, and her third goal, from the halfway line, will surely go over in history.
Japan grabbed on to whatever small hope they might have by scoring two goals through Yuki Ogimi and a Julie Johnston own goal, but soon after Tobin Heath made it 5-2 to ascertain American dominance. The only little respect Japan won in this match was that they continued fighting to the very end, but in reality the USA were far superior and are rightful World Champions for the third time and first time since 1999.
It has been a great tournament, and I look forward to next year's Olympic tournament next year (where the Women's game has been far better than the Men's for a long time!).
Japan's defense was dreadful during most of the match, but this does not take the credit away from the USA. Carli Lloyd's three goals were fantastic, and her third goal, from the halfway line, will surely go over in history.
Japan grabbed on to whatever small hope they might have by scoring two goals through Yuki Ogimi and a Julie Johnston own goal, but soon after Tobin Heath made it 5-2 to ascertain American dominance. The only little respect Japan won in this match was that they continued fighting to the very end, but in reality the USA were far superior and are rightful World Champions for the third time and first time since 1999.
It has been a great tournament, and I look forward to next year's Olympic tournament next year (where the Women's game has been far better than the Men's for a long time!).
Friday, August 10, 2012
Golden USA ladies
Since women's football entered the Olympics in 1996, the USA ladies have been in every final. Today they were set to win their fourth Olympic gold medal in this sport in a repeat of the 2011 World Cup final USA-Japan, which Japan surprisingly won..
Japan is a patient team. They bite and fight themselves into the match, but that seemed to go against them today. USA started like lightning, and Carli Lloyd brought them ahead 1-0 after only seven minutes. Only then did the World Champions wake up, and hit the post, forced some good saves by the USA goalie Hope Solo, and should even have had a penalty. At the same time, the USA were still dangerous on their counterattacks. In the second half Carli Lloyd in fact brought USA ahead 2-0 on one such counterattack. Japan continued pressing, and got one goal, but in the end it was not enough. But a final worthy of the best. Any football fan should love both the US and Japanese ladies, who play with style, passion, happiness and some of the dignity that you hardly see in men's football any more.
You do not see any ladies cry at every tackle. Be ready to, in the men's final, to see a bunch of men cry like... well... I was going to say girls. But clearly men's football could learn from the women!
Gold for the USA, silver for Japan, and bronze for Canada, who beat France in the match for bronze.
Japan is a patient team. They bite and fight themselves into the match, but that seemed to go against them today. USA started like lightning, and Carli Lloyd brought them ahead 1-0 after only seven minutes. Only then did the World Champions wake up, and hit the post, forced some good saves by the USA goalie Hope Solo, and should even have had a penalty. At the same time, the USA were still dangerous on their counterattacks. In the second half Carli Lloyd in fact brought USA ahead 2-0 on one such counterattack. Japan continued pressing, and got one goal, but in the end it was not enough. But a final worthy of the best. Any football fan should love both the US and Japanese ladies, who play with style, passion, happiness and some of the dignity that you hardly see in men's football any more.
You do not see any ladies cry at every tackle. Be ready to, in the men's final, to see a bunch of men cry like... well... I was going to say girls. But clearly men's football could learn from the women!
Gold for the USA, silver for Japan, and bronze for Canada, who beat France in the match for bronze.
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