| Welcome to Soccer Futbol Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| 2012 Olympics-Women's Football | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 3 2012, 09:06 AM (2,131 Views) | |
| alabastergremlin | Aug 8 2012, 04:27 PM Post #61 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
The call on the GK for holding the ball was a long time coming... ...this is a great article about how Wambach helped the call. According to Chastian (speculating) and Wambach, the ref warned the goalie multiple times. Much credit should go to Wambach for having the good sense to assist the official in counting. The ref was being more than generous if she really did get up to the 10-15 second mark on several occasions. (For anybody to criticize Wambach for that tactic, they would also have to criticize Canada's coach for attempting to sway the officials with his comments about the US blocking on certain plays.) As for the PK call...hell yeah it was harsh. Beyond harsh, it was damn near incorrect. I was shocked it was called. I'm not sure the ref had time to realize it hit two players arms much less determine if she could have moved or intentionally blocked it. That was wild. I haven't seen the reply but I didn't think it was going to her head, I thought it was about to hit her in the chest and that is when she blocked it. Either way, it was a very ballsy call. (Is that politically incorrect?) However, it is good to see somebody mention the head stomp from Tancredi. She wsas flirting with ejection a few times. I'm still not sure the body check she put on the US player was legal. While the ref was even for both teams, IMO, it was a poorly officiated game. I thought she missed all sorts of calls on both sides. At least it was pretty even... As for the game...that was very entertaining and as fast paced and physical as any womens game you're likely to see. I am excited about tomorrows gold medal match and only hope I can convince my 4 year old daughter to sit down long enough to watch it. The DVR may come in handy... |
![]() |
|
| hobbes | Aug 8 2012, 06:25 PM Post #62 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thanks for the video on the Tancredi stomp. That looked like a red to me too. There seems to be a perception that McLeod was time wasting. I don't really feel that that was the case. She's always like that. She was worse against Sweden in a game we trailed for about 70 minutes. It's no shock to me that Wambach would run to the official and start counting because she's never close to six seconds. But neither is anyone else IMO. I don't really have a problem with Wambach's gameswomanship, but it is kind of tacky. It's not that different than asking for a card after every foul. The complaints about all of the U.S.'s picks in the box backfired on us though. We had two players tracking a few runs — one into the pick and one to pick up the run after — and when two players left the near post, Rapinoe had space to try to curl in her shot and to her credit she did it before McLeod or Sessleman could react. Anyway it's over and done with. FIFA will deal with Tancredi, Sinclair and Herdsman after the games are done. It's a typical FIFA cop out, but I don't think anyone's surprised. cheers, hobbes |
| Saskatchewan for the CPL: multis e gentibus vires | |
![]() |
|
| shelsoccer | Aug 8 2012, 10:29 PM Post #63 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Pedersen, the ref, is under the normal FIFA gag order. However, it's been reported that her father has said that she warned McLeod twice before making the call. Wambach's running count reminds of an American college basketball counting out a five-second call on an in-bounds pass. Hobbes' explanation that holding for that long is normal for McLeod makes some sense to me. I never really felt it was delay of game. If memory serves, she was doing it early and when the game was tied in addition to when Canada was ahead. |
![]() |
|
| Yogi | Aug 9 2012, 01:56 PM Post #64 |
![]()
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Gold Medal Match: USA 2-1 Japan Bronze Medal Match: Canada 1-0 France So the US gets revenge on Japan for winning the World Cup by winning a hard fought game 2-1. Goals about 7-8 minutes into each half by Carli Lloyd decided it for the US. Japan scored after about an hour as they knocked in a loose ball after the US defense saved a shot on the line (they did that twice in the game). I thought Japan had slightly better of the play and forced Hope Solo into several excellent saves but you need to finish to win and that is what Lloyd did for the US and why they won the gold. But full credit to Japan for a really enjoyable style of play, they move the ball around so well but could not finish or beat Solo more than the one time. This is becoming a good rivalry but with no major competitions until the next Women's World Cup in 3 years time, it will have to wait for it's next chapter. I didn't see the 3rd place game but read France wasted a ton of chances before Canada got an injury time goal from Matheson to win the bronze. hobbes, is that Canada's best ever finish in a major women's competition? |
![]() |
|
| Onslow | Aug 9 2012, 02:12 PM Post #65 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
An entertaining final, it could have gone either way but once again the US were I thought helped by a handball call, which this time was not called against them. In the 1st half, with the US up 1-0, a shot was clearly in my eyes handled by an American defender with her hand away from her body, it looked like she tried "cupping' the ball too with her arm. The ref was right there too but did not call it. Nice finishing by Lloyd especially on her 2nd goal but as Yogi wrote, Japan's finishing let them down a bit. Their approach work was excellent, some very slick passing and movement but the object of the game is to score, the US did twice, Japan only the one time, so there was the difference. But as often is the case in sport, especially this one, some good fortune in both the semifinals and final also shone in the US' favour. |
![]() |
|
| Sergio | Aug 9 2012, 02:47 PM Post #66 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
The US unquestionably is a good team but can you recall any major championship winner who got not one but two major calls in their favor in the semifinals and final? We've all seen a title winning team get a controversial call in their favor but in 2 consecutive games, in the semis and final? I can't recall that happening before. I thought the US made a mistake taking out Rapinoe too early as she almost always makes good decisions with the ball and is dangerous on set plays, but the defense held firm and despite the US going 120 minutes in the semifinals and Japan only 90, I thought the US looked a little bit more energetic at the end and the late heroics Japan had to tie up the World Cup Final just did not seem too likely tonight in the final 10-15 minutes. |
| "You left as a champion, you will always be in our hearts. Rest in Peace Christian Benítez." | |
![]() |
|
| hobbes | Aug 9 2012, 02:51 PM Post #67 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Yup. Our previous best finish was fourth at the 2003 Women’s World Cup when we stunned China in a QF and blew a lead against Sweden in the semis. We've done better in age-group competitions, but at the senior level third is our best result. That is also our first summer team sport medal (beyond like track relays or rowing eights, things that aren't proper 'team sports') since 1936. It was a pretty scrappy first half and neither team created a lot, but France came at us in waves in the second half. Canada had no legs and no answer. Eugenie Le Sommer was a big spark off the bench for the second straight game, but she couldn’t finish to save her life. France hit a post, the bar and Desiree Scott made a great save on the line to keep it scoreless. Even in the 88th or 89th Le Sommer flashed a great header inches wide. Pretty late on Candace Chapman came into the game and Lauren Sesselman moved back to left back. That ended up mattering because it was Sesselman who won the ball in the midfield and played a give-and-go with Schmidt to launch the counter attack that led to the goal. Schmidt’s shot in the area was blocked, but the rebound fell straight to Diana Matheson who had half the net to score in the 92nd minute. We were very fortunate to win as France was the better team, but heaven’s knows we’ve had our share of days where the ball simply won’t go in for you. Sinclair said it was like the team had “PTSD, but in a good way.” I’m not sure quite what that means, but it made me laugh. Congrats to the U.S. on getting back on top. cheers, hobbes |
| Saskatchewan for the CPL: multis e gentibus vires | |
![]() |
|
| Merengue | Aug 9 2012, 04:14 PM Post #68 |
|
Administrator
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
The US' athleticism vs Japan's technique and the athleticism won out, thanks to Lloyd's 2 goals, Solo's saves and a helping hand with the no call on this handball by the US' Tobin Heath. The US women have now won 3 consecutive gold medals and have taken first in 4 of the 5 Olympics where women's football has been played. A great record without a doubt. But here is what is fascinating, the US "only" has won 2 of the 6 Women's World Cup and has not been champion since 1999! Strange isn't it how the team has so much success in the Olympics but less so in the World Cup. |
| http://twitter.com/#!/SocrFutbolForum | |
![]() |
|
| shelsoccer | Aug 9 2012, 06:07 PM Post #69 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Maybe it has something to do with losing in the World Cup and still having that taste in your mouth a year (not three) later :>) |
![]() |
|
| alabastergremlin | Aug 9 2012, 06:57 PM Post #70 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
That was a fun game to watch. I will say this...as much as I get angry when any US team is on the end of a bad call (or bad no call, see handball in Germany), it is equally as disgusting a feeling to see such an obvious call go unnoticed by the ref. That was a handball every time. |
![]() |
|
| Rufus T. Firefly | Aug 9 2012, 08:21 PM Post #71 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Wow that is an interesting stat Merengue brought up about the US doing really well at the Olympics but not so at the World Cup. shelsoccer's response seems as good an explanation as I could come up with. With the way the World Cup and Olympics are scheduled, the Olympics really end a cycle, these teams (all the competing teams not just the Olympic finalists) essentially are the same which played last summer in the World Cup but in 3 years time when the next World Cup rolls around, they will look different with new faces integrated into the teams. Maybe it takes the US team a little longer to blend their new players and thus they are at their optimal level in time for the Olympics rather than the World Cup? Anyway, an exciting final and a nice blend of styles between the two teams which helped make it even more intriguing a game to watch. No doubt the missed penalty was a blown call. The US had more than their fair share of good fortune in these Olympics but they also produced key plays when needed, Solo's saves and Lloyd's goals in this final and Morgan's game winner in the semis. But I also have to say Japan really play an attractive style. A very enjoyable team to watch. |
![]() |
|
| Johnbuildr | Aug 10 2012, 04:55 AM Post #72 |
|
Advanced member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
A hard earned win by the US woman if not a fortuitous one. It was an exciting game, one which got my long time soccer playing son, who dislikes watching women's soccer, to comment that it was the best women's soccer game he has ever seen because of the effort level and skills displayed. Big of him, eh? Anyway, I enjoyed it for all that, but also for the clean but tough play and the utter lack of diving. I would pretty strongly disagree that Japan necessarily had the better of the play. That implies they were the better team which I would also disagree with. They are better in some areas of the game and the US is better in others. Japan are quicker better passers, but the US has a more solid defense, abetter GK, a better midfield, and a better air game. They would likely split 50-50 if playing ten games, but I would bet on the US to win more than half myself. I will also point out that the US is deeper and has a more rounded team at all positions instead of having 3 or 4 stand outs like Japan. As is often the case when equal teams play and one team gets an early lead, the other team goes into a more all out attacking mode and almost always has more time on the ball. That is what happened yesterday, but I don't think that means Japan had the better of the play. But, heck, if you want to contend that, I will say the US had the smarter of the play and I will take the latter every time! As for the hand ball-no call, even a futbol neophyte would know that was a dumb ass missed call. A real damn shame too, as it does detract from a glorious win by the US women in many people's eyes. All I can say as a two decade follower of the US men's team, let me know the next time the US men have such good fortune(with a critical ref's call) in a major event, because they are sorely overdue!
|
|
Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum | |
![]() |
|
| Martin | Aug 10 2012, 09:18 AM Post #73 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
The best part of the final was the entire crowd booing Sepp Blatter! Of course what did he expect in front of a primarily English crowd?I'll echo the thoughts of others on how entertaining a game it was and the contrast in styles of play helped the entertainment value. That is two finals in two years between these teams and both could have gone either way which speaks a lot about how evenly matched they are. Yes most tournament winning teams do need some luck along the way and the US did get that in both the semis and final but as another poster pointed out, they also made the determinative plays in the match, namely Lloyd's goals and Solo's saves. It is fascinating to read how much better the US does in the Olympics compared to the Women's World Cup, I have no way really to explain that difference, it is not I think a case of the US team placing more emphasis on the Olympics than the World Cup in comparison to other nations but their difference in results is striking. How about this for an explanation, the US' greater depth helps them in the more compressed Olympic tournament (usually completed within 2 weeks compared to 3+ weeks for the World Cup) where the games are held closer together than they are for the World Cup? John, don't get hobbes started on the 2007 Gold Cup!
|
| Club Sportivo Desamparados | |
![]() |
|
| shelsoccer | Aug 10 2012, 09:59 AM Post #74 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Martin, I like you're theory on the WC-Olympic dichotomy for the US. |
![]() |
|
| Johnbuildr | Aug 10 2012, 09:59 AM Post #75 |
|
Advanced member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
<<..John, don't get hobbes started on the 2007 Gold Cup! >> Ha ha. Or the J/K World Cup for that matter.... Forgot to mention what someone else here did mention that I totally agree with: Why take a player of Rapinoe's caliber, probably one of your 3 best field players, out of the game at all? Her skills at handling and passing the ball are second to no one, not to mention her soccer smarts and savvy. So she can be as much or more of a defensive force than anyone. I don't think anything anyone could tell me would convince me of the wisdom of that move, but I would dearly love to hear the coach's reasoning. Speaking of savvy, does anyone remember that super smart move of hers along the touch line in the first half? She was pinned against it by two defenders, near midfield, but in her defensive half, so she played the ball off one of them to gain a throw in. Then she instantly grabbed the ball, turned and ran a few steps upfield and threw it in about 20 yards further downfield into the Japan half, perfectly turning what would normally be a so-so midfield throw in into a full out attack into the offensive 1/3. That kind of play speaks volumes about her game. Taking her off the field was plain dumb imo. I thought she must have been hurt, but guess not. |
|
Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum | |
![]() |
|
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Olympics · Next Topic » |





![]](http://z1.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)




Of course what did he expect in front of a primarily English crowd?
6:23 AM Jul 11