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Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Tue Aug 1, 2023 11:16 pm
by magik9113
MetalFingaz wrote:magik9113 wrote:I’ve only seen a few games, including USA vs Vietnam and just now vs Portugal.
I have always passionately rooted for the US women (as well as for Italy women—but they’re never actual contenders.)
I am happy that the US were able to squeeze out a draw and qualify for the next round, but it seems they are not even happy for themselves. If you saw the team usa reactions after the final whistle, you’d have thought maybe they got eliminated.
Only a complete lack of humility would prevent a team from celebrating advancing in a game where Portugal was centimeters away from beating you in stoppage time. For me, this is far more shameful than playing poorly. How cocky are these players- and for what reason?
Also having the advantage of being thru to knockouts with a draw should see you play with a different attitude. But if they think they are too good to be advancing as second place, or too good to be happy with “just” advancing, then they are going to be severely humbled the next time they play a great team, and deservedly so.
They are the FIFA #1. The expectation is winning trophies, not escaping out of the group. This isn't arrogance, it's realism.
That said, given the injuries and a manager that isn't very good, we can argue whether the expectations are warranted.
The US has only allowed 1 goal, so at least there's a foundation to build from.
Fifa rankings have never mattered in men or women’s soccer. Some European teams have caught up in terms of tactics and ability, and Japan is a powerhouse.
Injuries definitely hurt this roster which is further reason for me to argue for a change of attitude from the players. After back to back trophies it is normal to suffer a generational gap.
In order to win trophies you need to advance out of group stage. Like when Argentina men lost to Saudi Arabia. It is ok.
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Wed Aug 2, 2023 2:37 am
by MetalFingaz
magik9113 wrote:MetalFingaz wrote:magik9113 wrote:I’ve only seen a few games, including USA vs Vietnam and just now vs Portugal.
I have always passionately rooted for the US women (as well as for Italy women—but they’re never actual contenders.)
I am happy that the US were able to squeeze out a draw and qualify for the next round, but it seems they are not even happy for themselves. If you saw the team usa reactions after the final whistle, you’d have thought maybe they got eliminated.
Only a complete lack of humility would prevent a team from celebrating advancing in a game where Portugal was centimeters away from beating you in stoppage time. For me, this is far more shameful than playing poorly. How cocky are these players- and for what reason?
Also having the advantage of being thru to knockouts with a draw should see you play with a different attitude. But if they think they are too good to be advancing as second place, or too good to be happy with “just” advancing, then they are going to be severely humbled the next time they play a great team, and deservedly so.
They are the FIFA #1. The expectation is winning trophies, not escaping out of the group. This isn't arrogance, it's realism.
That said, given the injuries and a manager that isn't very good, we can argue whether the expectations are warranted.
The US has only allowed 1 goal, so at least there's a foundation to build from.
Fifa rankings have never mattered in men or women’s soccer. Some European teams have caught up in terms of tactics and ability, and Japan is a powerhouse.
Injuries definitely hurt this roster which is further reason for me to argue for a change of attitude from the players. After back to back trophies it is normal to suffer a generational gap.
In order to win trophies you need to advance out of group stage. Like when Argentina men lost to Saudi Arabia. It is ok.
They matter in the sense that the US is a favorite in the tournament. Most would have agreed with that coming into the World Cup. I don't think being disappointed at their play in this group is unwarranted or unreasonable. They've underperformed.
But I agree with you that they're through now and need to adjust their attitude and (most importantly) performance for the knockouts.
Aside from the US, it's been an enjoyable tournament so far! Hopefully Colombia dispatches Morocco tomorrow and they top their group.
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Wed Aug 2, 2023 7:00 am
by magik9113
Yea from a fans perspective it has been awful even despite advancing. So many people waking up in the middle of the night/early morning to watch a crap performance
At this point one can only hope Sweden get cocky as well. Sweden were outplayed last week by Italy for a good half hour before using their height to knock in 3 corner kicks, causing Italy to collapse.
Defending set pieces will be the biggest concern for USA v Sweden and I’m certainly nervous about the US goalkeeper who has looked shaky at times.
My money is on England vs Japan in the final if that ends up being possible
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Thu Aug 3, 2023 7:29 pm
by MetalFingaz
I haven't watched any full match from England yet, but giving Lauren James positional freedom seems to have alleviated some of their chance creation issues. They set up pretty aggressively against China though so I'd be curious if they maintain that throughout the knockouts. I'd like to see Colombia make a deep run.
Japan have defended well and been very clinical counterattacking. It'll be interesting to see how other teams set up against them now but they certainly look like the favorites at this stage.
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sat Aug 5, 2023 10:07 am
by magik9113
Didn’t expect Spain to dominate as much as they did, winning 5-1 v the Swiss.
Japan with another good display beating Norway.
I expect Netherlands to coast tomorrow, and then USA to be knocked out
—setting up a fascinating matchup next round between Sweden and Japan. Japan plays the best futbol in the tournament but the height difference is astronomical.
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sat Aug 5, 2023 2:12 pm
by hermes
looking at the broadcast times for the first two rounds of knockouts, the tv people definitely expected the usa to win their group
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2023 3:20 am
by Mr Puddles
No way that was off site
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2023 9:42 am
by magik9113
USA beginning to play some real soccer as the first half goes on. Actual combination play up the field.
They’ve been defending the Swedish set pieces well and hit the bar on one of their own corner kicks. Need a goal!
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2023 10:51 am
by magik9113
We’re headed to OT. Would be a shame to lose a game that they’re playing so well in
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2023 11:29 am
by magik9113
PKs
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2023 12:15 pm
by G R E Y
Woke up in time to see all but the first two PKs.
Incredible drama. Intense pressure.
Sweden redemption via VAR. Talk about the thinnest of margins!
Nice to see more teams closing the gap and break up the dominance.
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2023 1:12 pm
by Tempe
Lmaoo US Women get wrecked like they deserve. Go home.
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Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2023 1:49 pm
by magik9113
that was a fantastically entertaining shootout
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2023 4:14 pm
by BoogieTime
G R E Y wrote:Woke up in time to see all but the first two PKs.
Incredible drama. Intense pressure.
Sweden redemption via VAR. Talk about the thinnest of margins!
Nice to see more teams closing the gap and break up the dominance.
If your American why is it nice?
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2023 4:32 pm
by G R E Y
BoogieTime wrote:G R E Y wrote:Woke up in time to see all but the first two PKs.
Incredible drama. Intense pressure.
Sweden redemption via VAR. Talk about the thinnest of margins!
Nice to see more teams closing the gap and break up the dominance.
If your American why is it nice?
It's nice whether one is American or not. I happen to not be, but it indicates that the game is improving and the competition is better and so the fan draw is better. Win win win when the wins are less predictable.
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2023 6:09 pm
by Stannis
G R E Y wrote:BoogieTime wrote:G R E Y wrote:Woke up in time to see all but the first two PKs.
Incredible drama. Intense pressure.
Sweden redemption via VAR. Talk about the thinnest of margins!
Nice to see more teams closing the gap and break up the dominance.
If your American why is it nice?
It's nice whether one is American or not. I happen to not be, but it indicates that the game is improving and the competition is better and so the fan draw is better. Win win win when the wins are less predictable.
Yeah, I'm American, and even I can admit that it's good for the sport for it to be more competitive.
It's finally starting too look less lopsided.
Upsets, underdogs, drama... these are the things that make for a good WC.
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2023 6:19 pm
by Stannis
I feel really bad for the USA GK. She actually had saves. And she helped her own cause by scoring a PK while everyone else was missing. She almost saved the last one but VAR said it was over the line. Really heart breaking for her. Fvk. I feel so bad for her.
It's like when a pitcher pitches a great game. And racks up an RBI or 2 while the line up whiffing on everything.
To be a professional player and not even have PK on target is embarrassing. 1 is understandable. 2 happens. But 3 is just a joke.
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Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2023 6:31 pm
by hermes
well that stinks. penalties were crazy
never seen a keeper shoot a penalty before, is that pretty rare?
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2023 9:47 pm
by Mags FTW
hermes wrote:well that stinks. penalties were crazy
never seen a keeper shoot a penalty before, is that pretty rare?
In high school our keeper was in our Top 5.
Re: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
Posted: Mon Aug 7, 2023 10:25 am
by G R E Y
Lionesses prevail in quality PKs!
Down a player for extra time to keep it even, too.
Some great strategy and energy from Nigeria. Their keeper made some great saves along the way.
Good sportsmanship after the match.