2015's Women's World Cup Soccer

dragondick

China played like a different team yesterday, beating Netherlands 1 - 0.  The result could well be 3 - 0 if Lady Luck was on China's side.

If China played the same way when they played Canada, China would have won easily.

dragondick

By the end of next week, we will know which teams will enter the knock-out phase of the tournament.

In Group A.

Canada has to play Netherlands.  Based on Canada's play recently, Canada's fate is uncertain because Canada could lose.  I am not optimistic as Canada's coach.

China will play New Zealand - the weakest team in the Group, chances of winning will be high.  If China wins, while Canada loses or draws, China, as #1 of Group A will play #2 qualifier of another group, so chances of getting final 8 is good too.  

I would even say if China qualifies as #1 in Group A, the team might end up in the Final Four.  Beyond that, then I do not know.  

I like China's chances for their youth, oldest being 26 y.o. (the faces are awful! ) They are fast & can grind any opponents to submission.

China is a dark horse in this championship.

I like the German team.  With 2 exceptions, all blondes, 5' 6+", my specs.  

I have not seen the best of Team USA yet.  They should be able to play a lot better than they have so far.

dragondick

Don't forget to watch today games:

China Vs New Zealand @  1830
Canada Vs Netherands @ 1930

My guess is China should be able to  beat New Zealand while Canada will have a tough time against Netherlands.

If China wins, China will advance as #1 in the Group.

If China wins & Canada wins too, Canada will advance as #1 in the Group & China will be #2.

If Canada draws, China will advance as #1, and Canada as #2.

If Canada loses, Netherlands will advance as #2.

dragondick

I just discovered that both games are played at the same time.

Canada Vs Netherlands @ 1930 Montreal time.

China Vs New Zealand @ 1830 Winnepeg time.

Due to time zone difference, both games are actually being played at the same time.  However, only the Canada Vs Netherlands game will have live telecast.

dragondick

Both games drew.

I expected Canada to have a tough time with Netherlands, so a draw was not a surprise to me.

I expected China to beat New Zealand, which they almost did, except China cannot hang on to their 2 -1 margin.

Both teams (Canada & China) now advance to the knock-out stage with Canada as #1 & China as #2 of the Group.

dragondick

HIGHLIGHTS OF CHINA-NEW ZEALAND GAME:


http://www.fifa.com/womensworldc ... 00269487/index.html

It seems that NZ's first goal was the result of communications error between China's goalie & a defender.  Both were at the same spot, blocking a very narrow angle for scoring, yet the ball went in.

I can tell that the young Chinese team which has very little international experience is gaining confidence now that they found out they could play at the same level of other international teams.

In the knock-out phase, China's opponent is likely to be Switzerland (we don't know yet as that Group still has 2 more games to play).

dragondick

HIGHLIGHTS OF CANADA - NETHERLANDS GAME:


http://www.fifa.com/womensworldc ... 00269511/index.html

2 very impressive goals, one from each side!

dragondick

Cameroon beat Switzerland, so China would have to play Cameroon next.

Cameroon is just as fast & young like China.  China will have a fight in its hands !  This will be China's true test in 2015's WWCS.

dragondick

HIGHLIGHTS OF CAMEROON Vs SWITZERAND GAME:


Cameroon came from behind to beat Switzerland, but I see the weakness of Cameroon's goal keeper.  If I were China's coach, I will ask the players to test the goalie at all opportunities.  There might be pleasant surprises of Cameroon's goalie's weakness.

dragondick

China plays Cameroon on this coming SAT @ 1730.

This is the knock out stage now, every game is "must win" or go home.

This should be an interesting game.  Two young teams slugging it out.  I will give a SLIGHT edge to China if they can play the way they played the Netherlands - "No Fear"  .