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Post by dem on Jun 6, 2015 14:58:33 GMT
The Women's World Cup kicks off in Canada tonight when the host nation entertain China. It's unlikely any of the participants will require added motivation, but memo to Mr. Mark Sampson. Please post the following in the ENGLAND dressing room before the Lionesses go out to play France on Tuesday. It will save you a team talk. Early scientific proof that girls cannot play football and should stop pretending that they can! (Anonymous, Boys Pictorial, 21 January 1921) ... and you're not much good at cricket, either |
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Post by pulphack on Jun 6, 2015 17:56:38 GMT
Go girls... I do actually like women's football, having seen Doncaster Belles play many times with my mate from Donny ('I bloody love Rovers, but the Belles win more,' he once told me, which was true at that point, though sadly not now). It's not as physical, but that's no bad thing as the skill level increases. As for cricket - may the ghost of Rachel Heyhoe-Flint strike you down for that...
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Post by dem on Jun 10, 2015 18:52:02 GMT
Have only caught five games so far and a few highlights packages. A ho-hum opener, hosts Canada needing a dubious last minute penalty to see off China, quickly faded from memory (but not quite as quickly as Sunday's travesty in Dublin). We were warned the group stages might see the odd mismatch and didn't have long to wait for an example, a terrifying Germany remorselessly crushing Ivory Coast 10-0. Next up, a thriller. Sweden versus Nigeria. The Swede's were my favourite watch of the 2013 Women's Euros and it was just like old times as they raced to a 2-0 lead. Cue spirited fightback from the swashbuckling Super Eagles, who eventually took a point with a 3-3 draw.
England cakewalked their qualifying group, winning all ten matches and scoring 56 goals to 1, but, as with their male counterparts, they tend to struggle against decent sides. France are certainly that, and were well worth their 1-0 win, although lucky to end with all eleven on the pitch when the officials missed a nasty "elbows" moment. England didn't manage a meaningful shot on target. Saturday's game V. Mexico (who drew 1-1 with Columbia in their opening game to leave England bottom of the group), is now a must-not-lose! Finally, just after midnight, caught the extravagantly gifted Brazilians making hard work of beating South Korea 2-0.
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Post by dem on Jun 14, 2015 7:15:35 GMT
Everybody's played two games now (today is a rest day), so for those in the least interested, a mini-round up. Group A. Canada versus New Zealand was temporarily abandoned after five minutes due to an electrical storm, before the hosts continued their goal-shy progress with a goalless bore draw. Had they not played a false referee against China in the opener, Canada's goal difference after two games would be F 0 A 0, and watching them has you worrying that this is gonna be one very long tournament. Haven't seen Netherlands yet, but they are looking well-placed to progress to last 16. Group B is more like it. It took only four minutes for Germany to pick up where they left off in their opener, and they proceeded to batter Norway for the rest of the half but, crucially, couldn't grab a second. All part of the cheeky Scandi's game-plan! Come the second 45, and they turned the game on its head with an all-out attacking display, Maren Mjelde curling in a superb free-kick to earn a deserved point in perhaps the best game of the tournament to date. Meanwhile Thailand came through 3-2 in an entertaining contest with an Ivory Coast fresh from a 10-0 thumping versus the fancied fräuleins. The Ivorians are actually pretty good going forward, but their defending is terrifying! Would much rather watch them than Canada any day. Group C.. World champions Japan are already through to the knock outs, following up their opening victory with a hard fought 2-1 over Cameroon. Two goals to the good at half-time, Switzerland went wild against Ecuador in the second 45, eventually romping home 10-1 in a game of three hat-trick heroines - Switzerland's Fabienne Humm, and Ramona Bachmann, and Ecuador's Angie Ponce, (a consolation penalty and two own goals, the second, superb). Group D. The group of death and no mistake! Sweden drew again, this time a credible goaless stalemate against hot favourites USA. Australia did themselves no harm with a 2-0 victory over the very likeable Super Eagles, Kyah Simon netting both, the first a sublime chip following a wonderful run by Lisa De Vanna who left three defenders for dead before setting up her team mate. Group E. With the legendary Marta in imperious, showboating-with-substance form, Brazil edged out Spain 1-0 to progress to the knock-outs with a game to spare. Equally entertaining, the midnight meeting between South Korea and surprise package Costa Rica who contested a thrilling 2-2 draw. Group F. England had spent three days telling anyone who'd listen that their 1-0 defeat to France was actually a decent result, but it didn't look that way when Columbia pulled off the shock of the tournament by swatting Les Bleu's 2-0! Suddenly the Lionesses game vs. Mexico was no longer "don't lose!" but "must win!" Fair play to Mark Sampson's girls as, with the pressure on, Fran "Mini Messi" Kirby and super-sub Karen Carney netted two decent goals to see them home 2-1, though Karen 'Knuckles' Bardsley's performances between the sticks continue to cause concern. Luckily, the defence - superbly marshalled by Laura Bassett's impressive shiner (courtesy of Camille Abily's foul of the tournament contender on Tuesday)- held firm for the final few minutes after Fabiola Ibarrata's injury tap-in made everyone nervy. The strange composition of the tournament means that, alongside the group winners and runners up, the four best third-placed teams also qualify for the final 16, so at this stage, its only Ecuador and Ivory Coast seem certain to be taking the early flight of sorrow. |
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Post by ripper on Jun 14, 2015 8:05:27 GMT
Despite their overall superiority in possession, England could easily have come away with only a draw against Mexico. The group is wide open now, given France's defeat to Colombia, but I note with satisfaction that our girls already have 2 points more than the boys managed last year in Brazil. Hopefully, they will now progress to the next stage.
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Post by dem on Jun 14, 2015 8:28:46 GMT
Despite their overall superiority in possession, England could easily have come away with only a draw against Mexico. The group is wide open now, given France's defeat to Colombia, but I note with satisfaction that our girls already have 2 points more than the boys managed last year in Brazil. Hopefully, they will now progress to the next stage. It's a tight group for sure, and England could still finish top or bottom. Columbia's shock win yesterday did the Lionesses no favours. Wonderfully named Lady Andrade's opener on 19 minutes was so against the run of play it seemed the yellow birds were getting their consolation goal in early, but for all their stylish build up, the French couldn't break them down, and Group F is wide open as a result. Thought England deserved their win, though Mexico will feel they did enough to earn a draw - but for the crossbar, they would have gone ahead shortly before the mini-Messi's opener. Best foul of the game, unquestionably Alina Garciamendez's fab mistimed non-tackle on England's Lucy Bronze, earning her a yellow card to savour. There was a brief but impressive exchange of handbags in the Costa Rica - South Korea game, too, but spoilsport ref calmed tempers before it could turn proper. If England get through as runners up, it's likely we'll face a tasty-looking Norway in the last sixteen. Win the group, and it will almost certainly be (gulp) Germany! Perhaps our best bet is to nab one of the best third place spots! As with the mens game, the FIFA rankings are a marvel to behold. At least the top five - Germany, USA, France, Japan and Sweden respectively - looks about right, after which it is all a bit "are you sure?" On the back of their 100% record in qualifying from a weak group, England are swanning it in 6th, way ahead of yesterday's opponents Mexico (25th) and group F surprise package Columbia (28th), both of whom trail Scotland (21st). Brazil are 7th (they sure look a lot better than that), boring Can-Can- Canada are joint eighth with S. Korea and the Aussies 10th. Norway, who look brill, are a relatively lowly 11th. Lower down the chart, Ecuador - whose record to date in Canada is P.2 L.2 F.1 A.16 - are somehow ranked five places above Cameroon (53rd), who have just stuffed them 6-0. On the evidence of this tournament Nigeria are surely worth better than 33rd! |
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Post by ripper on Jun 14, 2015 10:57:51 GMT
Dem, most of my Women's World Cup has been via Radio. I was just wondering what attendances were like at these games. I heard that several had been quite sparse but don't know if that is true.
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Post by dem on Jun 14, 2015 13:04:54 GMT
Dem, most of my Women's World Cup has been via Radio. I was just wondering what attendances were like at these games. I heard that several had been quite sparse but don't know if that is true. "Patchy", is the answer to that one, Rip, or at least, it is according to a newspaper report in (I think) ES. Canada drew a near sell-out 53,000 to the opening game in Edmonton, and Winnipeg is regularly selling out its 30, 000 + stadium, but disappointing crowds have been the norm in Vancouver and Moncton, where only 13,000 watched England run away from France for 70 minutes on a white-hot plastic Frankenstein pitch. Costa Rica's passionate support made a ferocious din versus the Korean Republic last night, but this, from my tiny armchair experience, appears to be the exception. It seems the Canadian public haven't quite grasped it yet, as evinced by well-meaning Ned Flanders types brandishing "Go both teams!" placards and grabbing selfie-breaks every five seconds like they were at Stamford Bridge. Also, the ever-popular FIFA security have come under criticism for over-zealous back-pack searching in case somebody tries to sneak in a non-approved branded snack or mineral water, which, naturally, is hardly likely to encourage the soccer curious to return for more. As ever, you worry the event could fizzle out should the hosts get turned over in the knock-out phase, although, from what I've seen from the refereeing of their two games to date, I can't see FIFA allowing it to happen. |
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Post by ripper on Jun 14, 2015 15:41:47 GMT
Thanks for that, Dem. I hope that attendances improve as the competition progresses. As you point out, I would imagine that in Canada there will be a sizable proportion that either do not follow football or have only a mild interest in it. Hopefully, though, things will improve as the knock-out stages beckon.
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Post by dem on Jun 15, 2015 5:48:43 GMT
One thing that really impressed about the 2013 Women's Euros, the Swedish crowds were crazy mad passionate no matter who was playing. It made for an exciting tournament. By contrast, many of the games in Canada - including France vs. England (according to the FIFA rankings, a clash between the third and sixth best teams on the planet) - have been eerie quiet. Briefly back to the men's game. After last weekend's anti-match with the Irish - a game so ugly as to make the eyes bleed - yesterday night's roller-coaster 3-2 win against a limited but well organised and very up for it Slovenia was far the tastiest of England's Euro qualifying campaign to date (not saying much, I realise). At times it was a bit too "just like watching Brazil defend" for comfort, but five fine goals, including two Jack Wiltshire missiles and a neat Wayne Rooney prod past the keeper (to be fair, he wasted three good chances beforehand) made for a surprisingly exciting spectacle. Raheem Sterling actually remembered he was a footballer, the incredible shrinking Adam Lallana likewise, and our captain and #1 pugilist commendably kept his cool in the face of much provocation, most notably a deliberate elbow attack on his skull. Anyway. What I'd like are some recommended reads on the history of the women's game both at home and abroad. Can anyone oblige?
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Post by ripper on Jun 15, 2015 9:26:43 GMT
I thought that the Slovenians appeared happy with playing for a draw up until they scored late in the first half--with our defensive weakness again exposed. After that, they grew in confidence and belief that they could take all 3 points. Sterling played much better of late, though he really could do with a goal to loosen him up a bit--he seemed a mite anxious in front of goal. Lallana, I thought, made a difference when he came on, and it was nice to see a couple of goals from a midfielder. As usual, though, our defence looked fragile--surely it can't inspire Hart with any confidence with Cahill and Smalling in front of him--how we miss John Terry.
I haven't read any books on women's football, but a few I noticed on a well-known internet book shop:
In a League of their Own: the Dick Kerr Ladies 1917-1965 by Gail J. Newsham
Girls with Balls: the Secret History of Women's Football by Tim Tate
A Beautiful Game: International Perspectives on Women's Football by Jean Williams
Women on the Ball: A Guide to Women's Football by Sue Lopez
Kicking against Tradition: A Career in Women's Football by Wendy Owen
Beyond Bend it like Beckham: the global Phenomenon of Women's Soccer by Brittany Timko
Footballer: My Story by Kelly Smith
On a personal note, my late mom was in a ladies' football team back in the early-mid 1950s.
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Post by dem on Jun 15, 2015 11:35:06 GMT
In A League Of Their Own looks the most interesting of these, and will try order Tim Tate's Girls With Balls, too, though I think the idea store drew a blank last time I tried for it. Have seen Kelly Smith's autobiography on the shelves, but am really after something that covers the late Victorian era through to the late 'seventies, when, I believe, there was some kind of fledgling World Cup? Anyone else remember the Marshall Cavendish bit-part from the early-mid 1970's, Book Of Football? There were 75 weekly parts in all, and I specifically remember a double-page feature on the women's game. If anyone knows what number it was in, would be grateful. Found a neat site on the very early history of the women's game in Britain, with team photo's, press clippings and ephemera. Women's Football. Some fab sexist comments on there, almost worthy of Mr. "Should Girls Play Footer?" "I think if the Southwick Lilies, likewise the Craven Angels and the Dog Daisies were to go home and attend to house duties, and kept the old man's boots clean, it would look much better than learning the art of football" - 'A FATHER' ( Sunderland Daily Echo, Jan. 1889) What team did your mum play for, Rip?
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Jun 15, 2015 14:20:06 GMT
In A League Of Their Own looks the most interesting of these, and will try order Tim Tate's Girls With Balls, too, though I think the idea store drew a blank last time I tried for it. Have seen Kelly Smith's autobiography on the shelves, but am really after something that covers the late Victorian era through to the late 'seventies, when, I believe, there was some kind of fledgling World Cup? Anyone else remember the Marshall Cavendish bit-part from the early-mid 1970's, Book Of Football? There were 75 weekly parts in all, and I specifically remember a double-page feature on the women's game. If anyone knows what number it was in, would be grateful. Found a neat site on the very early history of the women's game in Britain, with team photo's, press clippings and ephemera. Women's Football. Some fab sexist comments on there, almost worthy of Mr. "Should Girls Play Footer?" "I think if the Southwick Lilies, likewise the Craven Angels and the Dog Daisies were to go home and attend to house duties, and kept the old man's boots clean, it would look much better than learning the art of football" - 'A FATHER' ( Sunderland Daily Echo, Jan. 1889) What team did your mum play for, Rip? Real bit of history Rip. Must have been some lady. They made a BBC series about Heart of Midlothian and it focuses a bit on woman's football: www.footballersunited.co.uk/ |
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Post by Jojo Lapin X on Jun 15, 2015 15:29:09 GMT
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Post by ohthehorror on Jun 15, 2015 16:19:57 GMT
Threads like these really make me wish I liked sports, but I don't... so that's a bugger! I quite enjoy a bit of good ol' fashioned sexism from time to time too. I'll have to have another shot at Tribesmen of Gor then I think.
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