WOMEN'S SOCCER WORLD CUP 2011: Japan and France create history

Japan, France create history


Saturday 9 July 2011

 The dividing line between joy and sorrow is wafer-thin at times, as was proved yet again on a remarkable and wholly memorable first round of quarter-finals at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011™. Holders and favourites Germany lost a match at the tournament for the first time since a 3–2 quarter-final defeat to USA fully 12 years ago, dashing the hosts’ dream of a third global triumph on the trot, while France once and for all laid to rest a ghost from the past.

Five years to the day after the French men's team fell to Italy on penalties in the final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, also on German soil, Les Bleues claimed a berth in the last four for the very first time after overcoming England in another dramatic shoot-out. It also means the French women have qualified for the 2012 London Olympics, whereas the spectre of England's woes from the penalty spot at major tournaments surfaced once again.

Germany controlled long stretches of their clash with the Japanese in Wolfsburg, but created very little by way of clear-cut chances against the Asians’ flawless rearguard. Early in the second half of extra time, Japan substitute Karina Maruyama showed how it should be done, latching onto a sublime Homare Sawa pass to net the winning goal.

Before that, the Leverkusen crowd witnessed what was only the fourth penalty shoot-out in the history of the FIFA Women's World Cup. The role of tragic hero fell to England's oldest player, captain Faye White, who blasted her team’s fifth spot-kick against the bar. While the French celebrated, the salt in English wounds was exiting the tournament without losing a match in normal or extra time. However, the French victory was by no means undeserved, as Les Bleues were the better team on the day, even if they had to wait until the 88th minute before Elise Bussaglia cancelled out Jill Scott's opener.

Results

England 1-1 France (aet, France win 4-3 on penalties)

Germany 0-1 Japan (aet)

Goal of the day

England-France, Elise Bussaglia (88th minute)

In a dramatic finish to normal time, France were rewarded for a half-hour onslaught on the English goal, when Bussaglia took her courage in both hands, thrust to the edge of the box, and curled a stunningly precise shot with her left foot straight into the top corner. The glorious finish from the 25-year-old, a native of Champagne-Ardennes in the north of France, patently broke battling England’s hearts, and will be seen in retrospect as the pivotal moment in a tense and exciting game.

Memorable moments

Extra-time times two

Prior to the tournament, all the experts warned that the top nations are now tightly bunched in terms of quality, tactics and fighting spirit, and the passionate crowds have been treated to genuinely close and exhilarating women's football throughout. As a result, it was no surprise that the first day of the knockout stages saw both matches go into extra time, although the phenomenon has already occurred at the FIFA Women's World Cup in the past. At another record-breaking edition of the tournament, the 1999 finals in the USA, Brazil won the third-place play-off and the hosts sent a 90,185 crowd at the Pasadena Rose Bowl into raptures with victory in the Final, both on penalties and on the same day. Even in the absence of the hosts from now on, it seems the fans can look forward to drama and thrills all the way in Germany.

The sacred ritual

Despite pre-match tension, stress and a huge media presence in the build-up to a do-or-die encounter, some things remain sacred. As the England team bus approached the Arena in Leverkusen at around 5pm in the afternoon, coach Hope Powell and her staff were seen taking a cup of tea, totally in accordance with an ancient and long-standing institution in their home country. It was, of course, only 4pm in Britain, which is traditionally tea-time for the English. And why not enjoy a refreshing cuppa when you can? A little calm before the storm of a FIFA Women's World Cup quarter-final can only have been a good thing.

The stat

600 - Jill Scott's superb opener in Leverkusen was one for the history books, as the 24-year-old netted the 600th goal in the history of the FIFA Women's World Cup. The 1.80m midfielder will have mixed feelings about the goal, however, as it was not enough for England to book a place in the last four.

The quote

“Our problem was that we just couldn't score, because England ran and defended for their lives. But obviously, I'm delighted we've ended up winning, even though we were behind until shortly before the final whistle in normal time, and then again in the penalty shoot-out,” France coach Bruno Bini.

Next up

Sunday 10 July

Sweden-Australia, Augsburg, 1 pm CET

Brazil-USA, Dresden, 5.30 pm CET

WOMEN'S SOCCER WORLD CUP: Curtain comes down on Germany's golden generation

Sunday 10 July 2011

Germany's dream of a third FIFA Women's World Cup™ triumph in a row crumbled to dust in Wolfsburg on Saturday evening, unleashing a numbing wave of shock and disbelief in the host nation. The quarter-final defeat to Japan by the only goal of the game in extra time was not how the script was meant to read. It was not only Germany's first defeat in 12 years at the global tournament, it was also a near-tragic final act for a truly golden generation.

German FA (DFB) president Dr Theo Zwanziger made no attempt to hide his dismay afterwards. “We’re deeply disappointed. The players who were in their last tournament would have loved to bow out with a trophy. But defeats are as much a part of sport as victories."

One of those days

Coach Silvia Neid's team certainly controlled their encounter with the hard-running, superbly disciplined and technically excellent Japanese for long stretches of the 120 minutes, but still left the field empty-handed. With no exceptions, the players who had hoped to make it a hat-trick on the global stage were on the verge of tears, and a handful simply broke down and wept copiously. “It really hasn't sunk in yet. To me, what's just happened is almost surreal," keeper Nadine Angerer lamented.

Neid collected her thoughts with admirable speed afterwards, recognising with a sense of resignation that it was simply not Germany's day. “It's happened exactly as I feared it might. When you play the team ranked fourth in the world, the tiny things make the difference. We didn't have it in us to score today. Our set plays were too imprecise, and when you play Japan, you're always at risk of being caught on the break. Obviously, it's very sad and disappointing. We had the desire, but we could have played for all eternity today and still not scored."

To add injury to insult, as it were, the match opened disastrously for the hosts when shooting star Kim Kulig hobbled off in obvious pain just a few minutes into the game. Germany team doctor Bernd Lasarzewski has subsequently confirmed that the forceful 21-year-old midfielder, who signed for FFC Frankfurt from Hamburg a short time ago, has ruptured a cruciate ligament and will be out of action for at least six months.
Birgit’s sad farewell

Naturally, one defeat is not the end of the world for women's football in Germany, as the national team is all but certain to retain its place in the elite for the foreseeable future. A role as one of the favourites for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 in Canada seems predestined. However, Saturday's defeat to the big-hearted Japanese does mean a brutal, abrupt and unexpected end to an illustrious era, and the departure from the international stage of some of the greatest women's players of all time.

Three-time FIFA World Player of the Year and (still) FIFA Women's World Cup top scorer Birgit Prinz will finish with 128 goals from 214 appearances for her country, while versatile defender Ariane Hingst amassed 10 goals in 174 matches. Striker Inka Grings is 32 and has yet to decide whether to represent her country again. Angerer is the same age, and winger Kerstin Garefrekes just a year younger: both will be considering their international futures.

Dawn of a new generation

In retrospect, Prinz’ exit from international football was a touch unworthy of such a towering figure. She watched the whole of the quarter-final from the bench, and also failed to feature in a 4–2 victory over France in Germany's final group fixture. “I'm frustrated and disappointed. I felt fit and I'd have happily played. But the coach decided otherwise, and I accept that," the player stated. Looking ahead, the question will be which of a genuinely promising new generation, spearheaded by Kulig, Alexandra Popp, Fatmire Bajramaj, Simone Laudehr and Celia Okoyino da Mbabi, will now fill the gap left by the greatest player yet in the history of the German women's game.

It is not a case of a totally fresh start, but rather of re-acclimatising following more than a decade laden with trophies and triumphs. Difficult as the process may be, it could yet prove the crucible for a collection of new faces to emerge from the shadows and take up the reins for themselves.