WOMEN'S SOCCER FIFA WORLD CUP: USA and Sweden got their victories

WOMEN'S SOCCER FIFA WORLD CUP, DAY REPLAYED

– There were wins for the favourites on the third day of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ as world No1 USA defeated Korea DPR, and Sweden saw off Colombia. However, once again the theme of the day was the closeness of competition in front of buoyant crowds enjoying warm German sunshine. It has been a recurring premise and after three days of competition, the tournament would have seen six matches completed without a two-goal winning margin, but for USA’s second clinching goal against Korea DPR.


The two-time world champions made their much-anticipated debut at Germany 2011, and the Stars and Stripes were made to work extremely hard before overcoming a typically resolute Korea DPR in Dresden. Lauren Cheney broke the stalemate nine minutes after the interval, before Rachel Buehler sealed the victory with around a quarter of an hour to play. Sweden found tournament debutants Colombia to be in equally stubborn mood although the European heavyweights spurned a number of goalscoring opportunities. Jessica Landstrom was the major culprit with a notable first-half miss, only to make up for it with a second-half conversion after being set up by the always impressive Lotta Schelin.


Results

Colombia 0-1 Sweden

USA 2-0 Korea DPR

Goal of the day

USA – Korea DPR, Lauren Cheney, 54

While not having the spectacular appeal of some of the goals seen in the opening two days, Lauren Cheney’s headed strike to break the deadlock against Korea DPR was meritorious in its own right. Abby Wambach created space on the left flank before delivering a telling cross onto the head of Cheney who, having lost her marker, was able to expertly direct her header back across goal and inside the far post.
Memorable moments

Well supported Boxx

USA’s veteran midfielder Shannon Boxx seemingly enjoyed the support of her own fan club in Dresden today. The veteran of two FIFA Women’s World Cups enjoyed the support of around 20 people holding a banner and cheering her every move. Perhaps her 34th birthday tomorrow also helped Boxx get through 90 torrid minutes in warm conditions at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.

Debutants singing up storm

Colombia helped throw off their FIFA Women’s World Cup debutant nerves with some rhythmic singing and swaying in the tunnel prior to the match against Sweden. Skipper Natalia Gaitan led the way as the team went through their repertoire of Colombian songs which they have adapted to their own lyrics, however, the defender was far more reticent when asked for a reprise by the media after the match.

The stat

12 – The FIFA Women’s World Cup would have seen six consecutive matches decided by a margin of one goal or less for the first time, but for Rachel Buehler’s second goal for USA 14 minutes from full time against Korea DPR. Only once before had five consecutive matches had such close results, which was 12 years ago at the 1999 edition of the tournament in USA. Germany 2011 had previously seen four one-goal victories and a draw until this evening’s match in Dresden.

The quote

“The atmosphere was really great and you could really feel the support of the fans on the pitch. We want to get as far as possible in this tournament but we have a very hard group so we have to be fully focused for each game.” Sara Thunebro, Sweden defender

Today's Games
Wednesday 29 June 2011

Norway – Equatorial Guinea, 15.00 CET, Augsburg

Brazil – Australia, 18.15 CET, Moenchengladbach

USA made their Germany 2011 debut with a solid victory over perennial Asian challengers Korea DPR. What did you think of the Americans' debut and what are their chances of winning a third FIFA Women’s World Cup?

SWEDEN 1 COLOMBIA 0

Jessica Landstrom’s second-half goal proved to be the difference between Colombia and Sweden in Group C’s opening encounter in Leverkusen, but the scoreline failed to accurately reflect the Scandinavian’s dominance.


For anyone who watched this game in full the overriding question would be, 'how did it take Sweden 57 minutes to break the deadlock?' As early as the third minute they had a golden opportunity to take the lead but Colombia captain Natalia Gaitan was on hand to clear Lotta Schelin’s tame shot off the line.

Seven minutes later, Caroline Seger showed good skill to find Schelin in the box, but once again the Lyon forward was to be denied by her old foe Gaitan on the line, ably assisted by Andrea Peralta. Sweden's other striker Landstrom was also having a bad day and somehow contrived to fire over after being well picked out by Schelin.

The Scandinavians were completely dominating possession and play and were also giving Sandra Sepulveda in the Colombia goal some uncomfortable moments from set pieces. As the half wore on the South Americans did well to contain the Swedes, but they also struggled to create any chances of their own.

In temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius, he second half was much the same as the first. Ten minutes after the restart, Schelin was forced to watch on in agony as her shot, under pressure from Peduzine, beat the keeper but trickled across the face of the goal and wide. That chance was enough to make Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby rest his head on the top of the dugout in frustration, but a minute later he was dancing with delight.

Schelin showed great trickery down the right flank and her low cross which beat the keeper was easily prodded into the net by Landstrom’s left foot. After that, Sweden could and should have scored more. Missed chances came and went. Therese Sjogran opted to shoot herself rather than square the ball to the well-placed Landstrom and impressive substitute Sofia Jakobsson brought a smart save out of Sepulveda.

In response, Colombia rarely threatened and two dipping shots from Carmen Rodallega in the second half which narrowly missed the target were their only chance of note during the 90 minutes.

USA 2 NORTH KOREA 0

Second-half goals from Lauren Cheney and Rachel Buehler helped get USA off to the best possible start in Group C with a 2-0 win over Korea DPR in Dresden.


Pia Sundhage’s side were made to work hard for the three points by their spirited opponents, whose slick passing and pace ensured a busy evening for the US back four in the fourth meeting between these two teams at a FIFA Women’s World Cup.

There was very little to separate both sides in the opening half. After a tight start to the game, the first real chance came in the 11th minute for USA when Abby Wambach supplied Cheney inside the box, but her powerful right-footed shot was straight at Hong Myong Hui.

The North Koreans' best attacks were coming down the USA left, through Song Jong Sun and Kim Su Gyong, but Cheney and Amy Le Peilbet proved to be worthy opponents to limit them to half-chances.

USA went close again following a neat interchange between Heather O’Reilly and Wambach. Carli Lloyd was the grateful recipient of the chance, but she scuffed her effort and it was easy for the goalkeeper.

Arguably the chance of the half fell to the Asians in the 35th minute. Under pressure from Le Peilbet, Kim Su Gyong fired in a shot from a tight angle which Hope Solo did well to turn around the post. A few minutes later, Song Jong Sun fired a dangerous ball into the box, but neither Yun Hyong Hi nor Ri Ye Gyong could provide a finishing touch.

As so often happened during the half, play switched immediately to the other end and, in almost a carbon copy of the Koreans' earlier chance, Amy Rodriguez's ball was inches away from connecting with the stretching Wambach.

The opening minutes of the second half set the tone for what followed in the second 45 minutes. Wambach was close to opening the scoring, again just failing to connect with a pass, but vocal Americans in the crowd did not have long to wait to celebrate.

In the 54th minute, Ali Krieger dribbled down the left and found Wambach, who cut inside and crossed with her right foot. Cheney soared, connected and USA were in front.

Korea DPR almost had the perfect response five minutes later when Ri Ye Gyong’s shot from distance had the goalkeeper beaten, but clipped the top of the crossbar.

As the half wore on, the physical intensity of the game appeared to be taking its toll on the Koreans and in the 76th minute USA doubled their advantage when Buehler’s low shot crept just inside the post and beyond the outstretched arm of Hong.

Although the US had a goal disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper late on, chances were at a premium in the closing stages, but Korea DPR almost grabbed a consolation when Ri Un Hyang powered a header wide from Jo Yun Mi’s corner.

RACHEL BUEHLER, ONE OF THE SHINING U.S. STARS

Rachel Buehler was wearing a bright smile when she faced reporters after USA's 2–0 victory over DPR Korea in their first group fixture. Her upbeat mood was prompted not merely by the victory, nor the terrific support both teams received from the good-sized crowd, but also because she had scored her side's second goal. Strikers finding the net is hardly a rarity, but Buehler plies her trade in defence, and goals are not really her stock in trade.


It was the 25-year-old's first appearance at the FIFA Women's World Cup™, and she freely admitted to an attack of the nerves. “I was very tense in the first half, but I just had to get on with it. I grew in confidence the longer the game went on, and I thought it was a pretty robust performance by the end," Buehler told FIFA.com. A solid defensive display against the powerful Asians was then crowned as her goal sealed the points.

However, the likeable player was keen to play down her own contribution to the win, preferring to emphasise a promising team display. “The Koreans pushed us all the way in the first half. They had some good moments, and we did too. But we had more possession in the second half and we were more dangerous on the attack. We steadily improved as the game went on. We played with a lot of heart and determination."

GERMANY: Ready for the next challenge

FIFA Women's World Cup™ holders Germany meet African champions Nigeria in Frankfurt on Thursday evening, and although it is only the second match for both nations, there is already plenty at stake. The hosts are hoping to continue riding the wave of euphoria currently sweeping the nation, but the Super Falcons urgently need a good result to make up for their poor start to the tournament. Last year's FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup provided an appetiser for Thursday evening's clash, as the German juniors beat their Nigerian counterparts 2–0 in the final. The meeting between the seniors could well be decisive in determining the final Group A outcome.


The game

Germany-Nigeria, Thursday 30 June 2011, Frankfurt, 8.45 pm (local time)

The stakes

The teams approach Thursday's clash in contrasting moods. Heartened by their 2–1 opening-day victory over Canada, and guaranteed the support of another huge and partisan home crowd, the Germans will be brimming with confidence as they pursue a second victory and top spot in the group. On the other hand, the Nigerians’ 1–0 defeat to France in their first match means they must go in search of points against the favourites for the trophy. That should make for an exciting game, as Ngozi Uche’s team cannot afford simply to defend and hope to come away with a draw.

Birgit Prinz and company thrashed the Nigerians 8–0 on a bitterly cold November evening in Leverkusen last year, on a night when pretty much everything went right for the home team. Nevertheless, Silvia Neid and her players know they will face far more motivated opponents this week. The Super Falcons are a robust, dynamic team always capable of putting their opponents under pressure, whereas the Germans will be looking to improve on their display in the Opening Match, after Neid expressed dissatisfaction with her team's passing in the meeting with Canada.

The stat

13 - No other player at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 scored as many goals in qualifying for the finals as Perpetua Nkwocha. The 35-year-old midfielder found the net on 13 occasions.

The words

"I think we'll see a very different Germany against Nigeria. We'll impose our authority on the match from the start until the end, and that'll give us a good chance of the three points," Germany defender Saskia Bartusiak

"We certainly have a chance of making the World Cup Final, and maybe even winning it," Nigeria keeper Precious Dede


The player praised the crowd’s passion and exuberance, citing it as a factor behind the American team's success. “Dresden was magnificent, and the atmosphere in the stadium was amazing, with so many spectators and so much support," she said. But for all the post-match delight, Buehler and her team-mates will not waste time basking in their victory, as the focus now turns to forthcoming opponents Colombia.

“We weren't able to watch the match between Colombia and Sweden, because we were totally focused on our game,” Buehler told FIFA.com, “but it will be very interesting to watch that match later on, so we can pick up some initial impressions. Colombia have a lot of talent, but as Pia [Sundhage] has told us all along, every team at the World Cup is very good. I know Colombia have a lot of talented players and skilled individuals. They'll be very dangerous."