group a and b summaries
england v japan
england needs just a draw to confirm qualification. a win would see them through as group winners, with japan already qualified.
the interesting thing about this game is that under normal circumstances, both teams would want to qualify as group winners to avoid germany. however this time round, it is very possible that germany will not top their group.
my advice, however, would be not to think that much and aim to win the group. ultimately, to win the tournament, you need to beat the best. in any case, i don't really think that germany are necessarily better than france.
i will be there in the stadium watching this game, and i am excited about it, because japan has produced the best football i have seen so far (i did miss both of france's games) and while england has started slowly, as usual, i am convinced that kelly smith and co will show up for this big game. i think i am in for a treat.
mexico v new zealand
mexico has a very slim chance of sneaking through, provided they beat nz and japan beat england, although even so, the goals have to flow freely for that to happen. the nz girls have fought valiantly this tournament, and it is a shame that they are going out, but i am sure they will put up a big fight to help their english cousins get through.
germany v france
france should fancy their chances, although i must warn them that this will be a very difficult game.
germany hasnt set the tournament alight, having had to labour to victories over canada and nigeria.
while germany beat canada 2-1, france strolled to a 4-0 win over the same opponents. i didnt watch both games, but i would caution against comparing, even though i am a big fan of the french. the reason is because canada probably set out for a draw against germany, whereas against france, they knew that they had to get a result and were thus more vulnerable at the back.
likewise, germany so far were up against teams out to defend and get a draw. hence they have found little joy. france however, will not do that. i think the germans are looking forward to the game, because they know it will be a football game with both sides looking to attack. it would also mean that they might have that little bit more space that they didnt get against the rather negative opponents so far.
thus, the french girls need to be up for this game, especially with germany out to prove a point. beware of a backlash.
having said that, i think the germans are also facing alot of pressure. i think not winning the group would be seen as an embarrassment and rightly so, though i think it means nothing because england and japan are different teams but both have quality. it also means nothing in terms of who lifts the trophy in the end. there is no law that states that a team that finishes second in their group cannot lift the trophy. perhaps a little setback will help the team grow. but yes, it will be more of a pride matter to beat france and secure the group win.
with all this pressure on the germans, france should fancy their chances. scenes of birgit prinz disgusted with her own performance and her substitution are playing all over german television, sparking debate about her future.
with star player bajramaj sitting on the bench, birgit prinz the captain not on form, things arent going smoothly for the germans at present and you would wonder if maybe there is a storm brewing. i think the players are focused enough to want to win this tournament on home soil, and silvia neid is a strong enough character to deal with all these.
i think the french should just relax and enjoy the game. the pressure is all on germany.
england needs just a draw to confirm qualification. a win would see them through as group winners, with japan already qualified.
the interesting thing about this game is that under normal circumstances, both teams would want to qualify as group winners to avoid germany. however this time round, it is very possible that germany will not top their group.
my advice, however, would be not to think that much and aim to win the group. ultimately, to win the tournament, you need to beat the best. in any case, i don't really think that germany are necessarily better than france.
i will be there in the stadium watching this game, and i am excited about it, because japan has produced the best football i have seen so far (i did miss both of france's games) and while england has started slowly, as usual, i am convinced that kelly smith and co will show up for this big game. i think i am in for a treat.
mexico v new zealand
mexico has a very slim chance of sneaking through, provided they beat nz and japan beat england, although even so, the goals have to flow freely for that to happen. the nz girls have fought valiantly this tournament, and it is a shame that they are going out, but i am sure they will put up a big fight to help their english cousins get through.
germany v france
france should fancy their chances, although i must warn them that this will be a very difficult game.
germany hasnt set the tournament alight, having had to labour to victories over canada and nigeria.
while germany beat canada 2-1, france strolled to a 4-0 win over the same opponents. i didnt watch both games, but i would caution against comparing, even though i am a big fan of the french. the reason is because canada probably set out for a draw against germany, whereas against france, they knew that they had to get a result and were thus more vulnerable at the back.
likewise, germany so far were up against teams out to defend and get a draw. hence they have found little joy. france however, will not do that. i think the germans are looking forward to the game, because they know it will be a football game with both sides looking to attack. it would also mean that they might have that little bit more space that they didnt get against the rather negative opponents so far.
thus, the french girls need to be up for this game, especially with germany out to prove a point. beware of a backlash.
having said that, i think the germans are also facing alot of pressure. i think not winning the group would be seen as an embarrassment and rightly so, though i think it means nothing because england and japan are different teams but both have quality. it also means nothing in terms of who lifts the trophy in the end. there is no law that states that a team that finishes second in their group cannot lift the trophy. perhaps a little setback will help the team grow. but yes, it will be more of a pride matter to beat france and secure the group win.
with all this pressure on the germans, france should fancy their chances. scenes of birgit prinz disgusted with her own performance and her substitution are playing all over german television, sparking debate about her future.
with star player bajramaj sitting on the bench, birgit prinz the captain not on form, things arent going smoothly for the germans at present and you would wonder if maybe there is a storm brewing. i think the players are focused enough to want to win this tournament on home soil, and silvia neid is a strong enough character to deal with all these.
i think the french should just relax and enjoy the game. the pressure is all on germany.
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