conclusions from the first 2 quarter finals
you need a playmaker to break down well-organised defences. germany were lacking that player. they had good wingers, good strikers, but no one with that creativity who can come up with a different approach rather than just launch the ball into the box. someone who can find that space, who can find that pass. france has abily and necib, japan has miyama.
i think that was the main flaw in the german team. they have such a great 4-2-3-1 system that is very much based on their wingplay that they lack the creativity in midfield. so when they don't get their headers on target, or you cut out their crosses, they have a problem.
i am disappointed that we didnt get to see the best of kelly smith.
japan's win in a way is a victory for women's football because it shows how far women's football has progressed, developed. it has become much more competitive that you can't show up and expect to win. of course i would prefer it if it were brazil or usa on that other end of this 'groundbreaking' result. as it turns out, germany are, unluckily that 'sacrificial lamb'
of course i will be hoping that france beat usa/brazil in the semi-final to make it complete.
the big question now after germany's defeat: what next?
i think women's football is well established enough in germany not to suffer a fallout from this result.
i hope that people will still go to the stadiums, people will still watch at home, because it has been a fantastic tournament, and they won't be doing the other girls justice if they shut off simply because germany are no longer in the running.
as for germany, i think it is time for the new generation to take over. some tweaks in the system, some tweaks in the player selection could help. it is no secret that i am not a big fan of silvia neid because of the way she runs things. i am sure she will reevaluate things and come to the same conclusions as i had a while back.
for england, they have shown a lot of fight, alot of guts, but they know themselves that they didnt play to their potential. fara williams, coming back from injury, has been anonymous. kelly smith not making that impact. maybe too much burden has been placed on ellen white, playing in her first major tournament. for me, karen carney was england's best player. the only attacker among aluko, smith, yankey, jess clarke who really showed why i raved about them. she gave bite to the english attack.
for france, i am relieved that sapowiecz will come back for the semi-final. wasnt convinced by deville. and i think aside from jill scott's goal, where viguier and lepailleur collided into each other to give scott the route to goal, the defence with bompastor, viguier, georges and lepailleur did well, and bini should continue with this. france had 33 shots, apparently. only one went in. but i have faith in le sommer, abily, necib, delie and thiney. what is important is that they banished some ghosts with this penalty win. (remember em 2009 against holland and the champs league final in 2010 when ol lost to turbine on penalties)
japan were outmuscled by germany. mana iwabuchi couldnt show her stuff, because she was just being bumped off the ball.she will have to learn how to deal with it better. sweden and australia will dish out more of that physical treatment in the semi final.
the germany game was probably the first game in a while that they were on the backfoot for much of the game. to be honest, i didnt think they would prevail, but they did. hopefully they will be able to play their football against sweden or australia. for japan, what has been impressive is how their substitutes have come on and made an impact in the attack.
france-japan would be the dream final. and it is definitely possible.
i think that was the main flaw in the german team. they have such a great 4-2-3-1 system that is very much based on their wingplay that they lack the creativity in midfield. so when they don't get their headers on target, or you cut out their crosses, they have a problem.
i am disappointed that we didnt get to see the best of kelly smith.
japan's win in a way is a victory for women's football because it shows how far women's football has progressed, developed. it has become much more competitive that you can't show up and expect to win. of course i would prefer it if it were brazil or usa on that other end of this 'groundbreaking' result. as it turns out, germany are, unluckily that 'sacrificial lamb'
of course i will be hoping that france beat usa/brazil in the semi-final to make it complete.
the big question now after germany's defeat: what next?
i think women's football is well established enough in germany not to suffer a fallout from this result.
i hope that people will still go to the stadiums, people will still watch at home, because it has been a fantastic tournament, and they won't be doing the other girls justice if they shut off simply because germany are no longer in the running.
as for germany, i think it is time for the new generation to take over. some tweaks in the system, some tweaks in the player selection could help. it is no secret that i am not a big fan of silvia neid because of the way she runs things. i am sure she will reevaluate things and come to the same conclusions as i had a while back.
for england, they have shown a lot of fight, alot of guts, but they know themselves that they didnt play to their potential. fara williams, coming back from injury, has been anonymous. kelly smith not making that impact. maybe too much burden has been placed on ellen white, playing in her first major tournament. for me, karen carney was england's best player. the only attacker among aluko, smith, yankey, jess clarke who really showed why i raved about them. she gave bite to the english attack.
for france, i am relieved that sapowiecz will come back for the semi-final. wasnt convinced by deville. and i think aside from jill scott's goal, where viguier and lepailleur collided into each other to give scott the route to goal, the defence with bompastor, viguier, georges and lepailleur did well, and bini should continue with this. france had 33 shots, apparently. only one went in. but i have faith in le sommer, abily, necib, delie and thiney. what is important is that they banished some ghosts with this penalty win. (remember em 2009 against holland and the champs league final in 2010 when ol lost to turbine on penalties)
japan were outmuscled by germany. mana iwabuchi couldnt show her stuff, because she was just being bumped off the ball.she will have to learn how to deal with it better. sweden and australia will dish out more of that physical treatment in the semi final.
the germany game was probably the first game in a while that they were on the backfoot for much of the game. to be honest, i didnt think they would prevail, but they did. hopefully they will be able to play their football against sweden or australia. for japan, what has been impressive is how their substitutes have come on and made an impact in the attack.
france-japan would be the dream final. and it is definitely possible.
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