Showing posts with label women world cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label women world cup. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Live Streaming FIFA Women's World Cup: France Women Vs United States Women
The U.S. women's national team will attempt to move on from emotional win in semis against France.U.S. forward Abby Wambach’s goal last weekend in the quarterfinals was right up there with Landon Donovan’s iconic strike against Algeria in last year’s World Cup. It was one of the greatest moments in U.S. women’s soccer history.
Just as Donovan excited an entire nation, Wambach’s equalizer with just seconds remaining in extra time to spark the U.S. to a shootout win over Brazil had Americans on their feet, whether they were soccer fans or not.
If Americans hadn’t cared about the women’s team before, they sure do now. And all eyes will be glued to the TV on Wednesday when the U.S. continues its memorable run at the 2011 Women’s World Cup against France in the semifinals in Mönchengladbach, Germany.
With Brazil and host Germany going down in the quarterfinals, the U.S. is the clear favorite to win the title. But a loss to Sweden during the group stage proved that anything can happen when a team isn’t prepared.
France might be ranked seventh in the world, but it is also coming off a dramatic win on penalty kicks after drawing 1-1 with England in their semifinal matchup last Saturday at the World Cup Stadium in Leverkusen. The French women have only lost once during the tournament, a 2-4 defeat to Germany in their third and final group game.
The Americans, who are ranked first in the world, are looking to win the Women’s World Cup for the first time since 1999. They have never played France in the World Cup but have dominated the nation, going unbeaten in 12 games, including one draw.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Brazil 2-2 USA (3-5 PKs): Americans advance to seminals in dramatic fashion
The United States women's national team overcame a controversial call on a penalty kick, a red card and a one-goal deficit in extra time en route to a 2-2 (5-3 PKs) win to advance to the semifinals of the 2011 World Cup in Germany.
The Americans now have a smooth path to the finals after watching tournament favorites Germany and Brazil go down early on. Next up is France.
"I'm without words what happened today. Its just unbelievable," U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said. "I'm swedish and happy to learn every day more about that American mentality which the girls showed today - never to give up. Its just unbelievable."
Forward Abby Wambach scored on a header in the 122nd minute to send the game to penalty kicks, where goalkeeper Hope Solo saved Brazil's third attempt to secure the win for the top-ranked team. The U.S. scored on all five penalty kicks.
Marta, the five-time World Player of the Year, scored Brazil's first two goals after an own goal by Daiane in the second minute gave the U.S. an early lead. It took a whole two hours before the Americans were able to score again.
A long cross from Megan Rapinoe found Wambach, who headed the ball in from a tough angle in with just seconds left in stoppage time. It was the second goal during this year's World Cup for Wambach, who had been in one of the worst slumps of her career.
"It was a perfect cross and I saw the ball flattering over the Brazilan defender and made it," Wambach said. "It's our mentality never to give up."
Wambach also scored the third of the United States' five penalties moments before Daiane continued her disastrous afternoon by watching her attempt get denied by Solo.
Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger also beat Brazil goalkeeper Andreia.
"I got almost a heart attack when I went for my penalty," said Krieger, the last to kick. "I just watched the ball. I didnt think so much and then I scored."
Wambach nearly scored just 74 seconds into the match but Daiane ended up putting the ball in the back of her own net. Wambach was the closest American to the play after midfielder Shannon Boxx delivered the cross from the corner.
The Americans seemed all but eliminated from the tournament following Marta's goal early in extra time. They were playing with only 10 players after a bizarre sequence midway through the second half that began with a controversial call by the referee.
In the 68th minute, Marta was illegally taken down in the box by what initially appeared to be an aggressive tackle by defender Rachel Buehler, who was handed a red card on the play. Replays, however, suggested that there may not have been a foul on the play.
Cristiana took the first penalty kick, which was deflected away by Solo. After a quick celebration by the U.S. team, the referee waved off the first attempt, claiming that Solo had gone early in her from her to make the save. Solo was given a card for arguing the call and Marta stepped up for the second attempt and easily knocked it in.
"The first penalty of Brazil? I have no idea why it had to repeat," Solo said. "I think I didn't do anything wrong. I hoped you, the media could tell me what i did wrong."
At this point, it doesn't matter. The U.S. is on to the next one.
"It was fantastic night but nothing is done yet. Now we face France," Wambach said. "The have a very good team, too. So all our concentration from now is on that game." source: goal.com
England 1-1 France (3-4 pens): Hope Powell's side crash out of World Cup at quarter-final stage after penalty defeat
England was knocked out of the women's World Cup at the quarterfinal stage against France as Faye White missed the decisive spot-kick as the game went to a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Jill Scott had given England the lead in the second half before Elise Bussaglia equalised late on and after neither side could grab the winner in extra time, White missed from the spot as France triumphed 4-3 on penalties.
England started the match strongly, with Kelly Smith rounding the French keeper, only to be denied by a block from defender Laura Georges.
France started to control the play thereafter, leading to a bad challenge by Faye Williams on Gaetane Thiney, who received a yellow card for the tackle on four minutes. France continued to dominate play, and only a superb block from Jill Scott denied a dangerous shot.
The French continued to dominate going forward, but England's defense stood strong. Thiney took a powerful shot from just inside the box, but England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley was equal to it. France's attacking midfielder Necib struck a long-range shot on the half-hour that flew inches over the bar.
France started the second half well, with another attack, but Delie's shot went just wide. England then made a break up the left flank, with left back Rachel Unitt crossing in for Jill Scott to head just wide.
England attacked again, this time midfielder Rachel Yankey placing a through ball into Scott, who hit a well-placed shot over the French goalkeeper and into the back of the net on 59 minutes for 1-0.
France continue to keep possession, but England weas looking more confident after the goal. Steph Houghton and Claire Rafferty replaced Alex Scott and Rachel Unitt in defence for Hope Powell's side.
Thomis then sprinted past the substitute defenders and placed a shot straight at Bardsley. A second attack, however, was more fruitful as the ball was laid off to Bussaglia, who curled a shot from outside the box, onto the bar and in after 87 minutes.
Four minutes of added time saw France drive forward in search of a winner, but neither side was able to make the breakthrough as the game went into extra-time.
Bardsley was called into action first in extra time as she saved Thiney's shot before Carney forced Deville into making a save after 101 minutes.
England's Faye White than came close to grabbing the lead but her shot drifted just wide of the post as it remained 1-1 at halftime of extra time.
The French had the better of the chances in the second period although with the scores still level as the whistle blew for the end of extra time, penalties would settle the quarterfinal.
It would prove to be heartache for England as White missed her spot-kick in sudden death to see France through to the semi-finals of the competition. source: goal.com
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