Women's World Cup

Mister Bent · 07-17-2011, 04:52 PM

What a well played game! I saw only one noticeably bad call by a ref, but I admit I napped through part of the first half (not by intent, rough weekend!).

After the goal by Morgan at the 69 minute mark, it looked to me like the US team wasn't playing as tight, whereas Japan kept the pressure on. They did what the US typically does, and brought the game to us, and hard. Their relatively new goal tender really came through for them, especially during the shoot out at the end. She was exactly where we needed to be. Maybe the US team has more financial support, better training, but (to me) in the end it was the determination ("heart") that brought the win to the Japanese team. I'm disappointed for the US team, but really thrilled for the Japanese, who's country really could use something uplifting like this World Cup.

I thought both teams showed great conditioning, skill and heart, and played with grace. In addition, Hope Solo got the Golden Glove for being the top keeper in the tournament (as well as the bronze ball in the best player category) and Abby Wambach got the silver ball and the bronze boot for most goals scored. Japan's Sawa got the gold ball as the tournament's best player, as well as the gold boot for most goals scored. Silver went to Brazil's Marta.

EnderD_503 · 07-17-2011, 06:45 PM

Wow...now that was a World Cup final! Both sides played a great game. Japan in many respects did what they have often done in these championships. Similar to the win against Germany in particular, though on a much larger scale. This Japanese team is so patient, disciplined and technical and I think that's really what got them through this match. They've the ability to slow the play down and regroup in their own zone when the US came on strong. In a way, I think that aspect of the Japanese play frustrated the US. The Us often gave away the ball too easily throughout these championships, and with the Japanese who are so good in close quarters and with accurate passes, it wasn't the best team to give up the ball to. Even if Japan did not go on the attack as frequently and powerfully as the US, they've got tremendous patience and the initiative to capitalise the second an opponent makes a mistake. Hence the first Japanese goal that brought them back in the game. I'm sure Rampone is kick herself for giving up the ball that led to Miyama's goal. That has to suck in your last World Cup appearance.

It was so great to see Japan win this, though, and especially Sawa before she retires.

At the same time, I really like Abby Wambach and she deserves to win a World Cup. I hope she doesn't retire before the next one even though she'll be 36 by then. Soubeyrand was 37 this year when she led France into the World Cup, so I certainly hope to see Wambach here in Canada in 2015. She's always the player to breathe life back into her team when they're starting to slip; from giving the US the lead/rekindling hope, to trying to bring them back during the shootouts after two straight failed attempts. She's definitely not passed her peek yet (still one of the most athletic strikers in the game, imo), so fingers crossed she'll continue for another four years.

Overall, such an awesome game. Both teams should be proud to have participated in what was definitely the most exciting women's World Cup final ever, and one of the most exciting World Cup finals ever.

Heart · 07-17-2011, 09:07 PM

Abby played the game she wanted to play, too bad it didn't win her the title.
I'm sad for the U.S, but it's hard not to be happy for Japan. And their goalie is a rockstar! Great, nail-biting game.

AtLast · 07-18-2011, 02:04 PM

Nope, I can't be upset with Japan winning- but sure, I would have been super jazzed if the US won.

It was an exciting match! Now I have to get better with soccer strategy- I think I have the "bug!"

EnderD_503 · 07-18-2011, 10:03 PM

Meh, I'm actually quite happy that Japan won and the US did not. Like I said before, I really like Wambach as a player and I certainly think she deserves to win a World Cup before she retires. She's a great athlete and one of my favourites to watch in the game and she deserves a lot of respect, but I also think that the kind of respect she gives opponents is lacking when it comes to many of the other American players (Rapinoe yelling typical American nationalist crap into the microphone, the team saluting the "good ol' boys" in the crowd, and past actions/comments etc. are all very unsportsmanlike, imo. I can't recall any team or player in professional men's or women's football pulling stunts like that. Confidence is one thing. Arrogance and disrespect is another). Some of her teammates could learn a lot from her. I think as football continues to grow in the US, they need to realise that some of the theatrics of American football and certain aspects of American culture...really don't transfer over well into an international sport like "the beautiful game" that is currently working to break down social barriers through sport. It's a whole different world.

That doesn't take away from their playing, for sure. Yes, they are a good team, just like Japan. They played a great game, just like Japan. That they are a talented team can't be denied. But I really hope that some of the players change those aspects of their attitudes. It really doesn't become them.

foxyshaman · 07-19-2011, 10:44 AM

What a fantastic final game. A true nail biter. I was rooting for Japan the whole time!! The Japanese goalie was super fly fantastic!! My attention was most certainly held!!!

EnderD_503 · 07-19-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxyshaman

The Japanese goalie was super fly fantastic!! My attention was most certainly held!!!

My god, tell me about it! That first save she made during the shootouts in particular was brilliant!

07-17-2011, 04:52 PM	#1
Mister Bent Senior Member How Do You Identify?: . Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: . Posts: 2,905 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,151 Thanked 5,825 Times in 1,722 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	What a well played game! I saw only one noticeably bad call by a ref, but I admit I napped through part of the first half (not by intent, rough weekend!). After the goal by Morgan at the 69 minute mark, it looked to me like the US team wasn't playing as tight, whereas Japan kept the pressure on. They did what the US typically does, and brought the game to us, and hard. Their relatively new goal tender really came through for them, especially during the shoot out at the end. She was exactly where we needed to be. Maybe the US team has more financial support, better training, but (to me) in the end it was the determination ("heart") that brought the win to the Japanese team. I'm disappointed for the US team, but really thrilled for the Japanese, who's country really could use something uplifting like this World Cup. I thought both teams showed great conditioning, skill and heart, and played with grace. In addition, Hope Solo got the Golden Glove for being the top keeper in the tournament (as well as the bronze ball in the best player category) and Abby Wambach got the silver ball and the bronze boot for most goals scored. Japan's Sawa got the gold ball as the tournament's best player, as well as the gold boot for most goals scored. Silver went to Brazil's Marta. __________________ Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats. - H. L. Mencken

07-19-2011, 10:44 AM	#6
foxyshaman Member How Do You Identify?: spiritually minded dirt dog Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: canada Posts: 898 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,957 Thanked 2,592 Times in 663 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	What a fantastic final game. A true nail biter. I was rooting for Japan the whole time!! The Japanese goalie was super fly fantastic!! My attention was most certainly held!!! __________________ Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Muriel Strode

07-17-2011, 06:45 PM	#2
EnderD_503 Member How Do You Identify?: Queer, trans guy, butch Preferred Pronoun?: Male pronouns Relationship Status: Relationship Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 1,329 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,090 Thanked 3,878 Times in 1,022 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Wow...now that was a World Cup final! Both sides played a great game. Japan in many respects did what they have often done in these championships. Similar to the win against Germany in particular, though on a much larger scale. This Japanese team is so patient, disciplined and technical and I think that's really what got them through this match. They've the ability to slow the play down and regroup in their own zone when the US came on strong. In a way, I think that aspect of the Japanese play frustrated the US. The Us often gave away the ball too easily throughout these championships, and with the Japanese who are so good in close quarters and with accurate passes, it wasn't the best team to give up the ball to. Even if Japan did not go on the attack as frequently and powerfully as the US, they've got tremendous patience and the initiative to capitalise the second an opponent makes a mistake. Hence the first Japanese goal that brought them back in the game. I'm sure Rampone is kick herself for giving up the ball that led to Miyama's goal. That has to suck in your last World Cup appearance. It was so great to see Japan win this, though, and especially Sawa before she retires. At the same time, I really like Abby Wambach and she deserves to win a World Cup. I hope she doesn't retire before the next one even though she'll be 36 by then. Soubeyrand was 37 this year when she led France into the World Cup, so I certainly hope to see Wambach here in Canada in 2015. She's always the player to breathe life back into her team when they're starting to slip; from giving the US the lead/rekindling hope, to trying to bring them back during the shootouts after two straight failed attempts. She's definitely not passed her peek yet (still one of the most athletic strikers in the game, imo), so fingers crossed she'll continue for another four years. Overall, such an awesome game. Both teams should be proud to have participated in what was definitely the most exciting women's World Cup final ever, and one of the most exciting World Cup finals ever.

07-17-2011, 09:07 PM	#3
Heart Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Relationship Status: rainbows! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NY Posts: 466 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 303 Thanked 2,522 Times in 409 Posts Rep Power: 12032610	Abby played the game she wanted to play, too bad it didn't win her the title. I'm sad for the U.S, but it's hard not to be happy for Japan. And their goalie is a rockstar! Great, nail-biting game.

07-18-2011, 02:04 PM	#4
AtLast Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Woman Preferred Pronoun?: HER - SHE Relationship Status: Relating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CA & AZ I'm a Snowbird Posts: 5,408 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,826 Thanked 10,827 Times in 3,199 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Nope, I can't be upset with Japan winning- but sure, I would have been super jazzed if the US won. It was an exciting match! Now I have to get better with soccer strategy- I think I have the "bug!"

07-18-2011, 10:03 PM	#5
EnderD_503 Member How Do You Identify?: Queer, trans guy, butch Preferred Pronoun?: Male pronouns Relationship Status: Relationship Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 1,329 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,090 Thanked 3,878 Times in 1,022 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Meh, I'm actually quite happy that Japan won and the US did not. Like I said before, I really like Wambach as a player and I certainly think she deserves to win a World Cup before she retires. She's a great athlete and one of my favourites to watch in the game and she deserves a lot of respect, but I also think that the kind of respect she gives opponents is lacking when it comes to many of the other American players (Rapinoe yelling typical American nationalist crap into the microphone, the team saluting the "good ol' boys" in the crowd, and past actions/comments etc. are all very unsportsmanlike, imo. I can't recall any team or player in professional men's or women's football pulling stunts like that. Confidence is one thing. Arrogance and disrespect is another). Some of her teammates could learn a lot from her. I think as football continues to grow in the US, they need to realise that some of the theatrics of American football and certain aspects of American culture...really don't transfer over well into an international sport like "the beautiful game" that is currently working to break down social barriers through sport. It's a whole different world. That doesn't take away from their playing, for sure. Yes, they are a good team, just like Japan. They played a great game, just like Japan. That they are a talented team can't be denied. But I really hope that some of the players change those aspects of their attitudes. It really doesn't become them.