Observations of China 2007
September 24, 2007 5:45 PM
With the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup now at the semifinal stages, I thought I would pass on my thoughts on the fifth edition of women’s soccer’s showpiece event. One of the things I was particularly keen to see was the growth of some of the countries that have not fared as well at this level in years past. In other words, I was looking for a type of evolution from what has not been seen before in the women’s game. The fact that three of the countries in the semis - Germany, Norway and the USA - symbolize a small but exclusive club of nations that have dominated women’s soccer, should not deter anyone from the fact that there is a growing parity at this level.
My observations may be best explained by looking at each World Cup group in China, starting with Group A. It was no surprise that world champions Germany won the group, the surprise may have been that they succeeded in doing so without a 100 per cent record. England’s development as a top international side should be seen as an encouraging sign for the future. To hold Germany to a goalless draw and advance to the quarterfinals without suffering defeat shows major improvement from a team that finished bottom of their Women’s Euro 2005 group when they hosted the event two years ago. Japan showed great ability from set-pieces before bowing out, while Argentina got a sobering dose of reality after conceding 18 goals in their three group games. However, I do wonder if those results will be a turning point in Argentina’s program and that we will see them reach the heights of their famous men’s teams in the future…..
Group B saw the Americans claim top spot, but not in all-conquering fashion. Still, they are two wins away from a third World Cup title, so looking stylish in victory is not always necessary. The main story from this group would have to be North Korea’s positive approach and Sweden’s shock early exit. Sweden have been one of the elite nations to have shown their pedigree to this level. One must remember that they came within a ‘Golden Goal’ of winning the 2003 World Cup in the US. Four years on, the Swedes found themselves edged out and heading home early - much to their dismay.
Unfortunately for Canadian soccer fans, Group C provided a similar scenario to Group B. Underdogs Australia became the story of the group, while Canada joined Sweden in making an earlier-than-expected flight home from the Far East. Though fortune may have not been on Even Pellerud’s side when the Aussies claimed a dramatic 2-2 draw last Thursday, my concerns for Canada’s World Cup campaign go back to their equally decisive defeat to Norway. That fact the powerful Scandinavians dominated our team in the second half before Pellerud alarmingly commented on the lack of his team’s match fitness after the 2-1 loss left me feeling uncomfortable about Canada’s hopes in China. Is it just me or does anyone feel this Canadian team might have been sold short in terms of its preparation for this World Cup? The lack of quality friendly games proved telling for me, this despite being based as a side in residency in Vancouver. I wonder how the team would have fared had there been no residency program….it’s probably not worth thinking about. The program in place is an excellent one, but it needs more support to allow our top women’s players to remain competitive with an increasingly improving international field. In other words, Canada needs to ‘Keep up with the Jones’, so to speak……
Many in the world tend to marvel when they watch Brazil play soccer, and their women certainly showed some of that magic in Group D. They were the only side to win all three of their group games…and in some fashion. I wonder if it was a tactic of Brazil head coach Jorge Barcellos to insist his side shoot from long range when in sight of goal, knowing full well that the quality of goalkeeping in international women’s soccer is not of the highest standard. The South American’s demolition of New Zealand was a real highlight for me in that respect, and their ability to sweep side hosts China and diffuse their home crowd advantage was equally as impressive. After overcoming a plucky Australian side in the quarterfinals, revenge will surely on the Brazilians’ minds when they play the Americans in the semis. One of the things that I will always wonder from watching the 2004 Athens Olympics is how Brazil were not able to beat the US in the Gold Medal game of the women’s soccer tournament. The Brazilians hit the woodwork twice in that game, and really should have seen off the Americans. Can the tables be turned on Thursday? We’ll have to wait and see….
I think Germany will have just enough to beat Norway in the other semifinal, but I expect two very close contests this week. Brazil are sure to be the fans favourite to claim World Cup glory, but they will need to be more solid defensively when they play the Americans. One thing I will say is it should be an entertaining final week in China.
Posted By: Simon Fudge on September 24, 2007 5:45 PM
