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Finalists headline Germany 2011 awards: The awards given at the 2011 Women’s World Cup heavily favour the top two teams, Japan and the United States. Japan’s Homare SAWA scored the goal that not only sent the final to penalties but also earned her the Golden Boot, with five goals and an assist. She also earns the Golden Ball as the best overall player. Abby WAMBACH of the US was awarded the Silver Ball and, with four goals and an assist, the Bronze Boot, just behind the four goals and two assists of Brazil’s MARTA. Hope SOLO of the US won the Golden Glove, the best goalkeeper award, as well as the Bronze Ball. Caitlin FOORD of Australia, a sixteen year old defensive power, won the award for the best young player, and the Japanese squad took away the Fair Play award.
[posted TUE 19 JUL 2011 – 04:05:49 UTC]

French talents join champions in All Star squad: In addition to the usual suspects from Japan and the United States, the All Star team for the 2011 Women’s World Cup features three players from début semifinalists France and a young star from Equatorial Guinea. Homare SAWA leads the Japanese contingent, including fellow midfielders Aya MIYAMA and Shinobu OHNO, plus goalkeeper Ayumi KAIHORI. Other stars include top goalkeeper Hope SOLO of the US, France’s midfield powerhouse Louisa NÉCIB, Sweden’s inspirational captain Caroline SEGER, and Eq Guinea’s starlet striker AÑONMAN.
» Goalkeepers: Ayumi Kaihori [Japan], Hope Solo [United States]
» Defenders: Saskia BARTUSIAK [Germany], Sonia BOMPASTOR [France], ÉRIKA [Brazil], Laura GEORGES [France], Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT [Australia], Alex SCOTT [England]
» Defensive midfielders: Shannon BOXX [United States], Homare Sawa [Japan], Jill SCOTT [England], Caroline Seger [Sweden]
» Attacking midfielders: Añonman [Eq Guinea], Lauren CHENEY [United States], Kerstin GAREFREKES [Germany], Aya Miyama [Japan], Louisa Nécib [France], Shinobu Ohno [Japan]
» Forwards: MARTA [Brazil], Lotta SCHELIN [Sweden], Abby WAMBACH [United States]
[posted TUE 19 JUL 2011 – 04:05:39 UTC]

Resilient Japan defeat US on penalties: Japan have won the 2011 Women’s World Cup with a 3-1 win on penalties against the United States, after a thrilling final that ended 2-2 after extra time. The Nadeshiko did well to force the extra session, as the US had most of the attacking opportunities and took the lead when substitute Alex MORGAN received a long ball from Megan RAPINOE and finished in the 69th minute. But Aya MIYAMA took advantage of a mixup in the American defense twelve minutes later, firing the free ball past US keeper Hope SOLO. Late in the first overtime period, the US regained the advantage as Abby WAMBACH headed in her 13th career goal in Women’s World Cup tournaments, one short of the all time mark held by Germany’s Birgit PRINZ. Again, though, Japan answered, with Homare SAWA redirecting a corner kick into net in the 117th minute. The Japanese nearly gave it all away in the dying seconds as Azusa IWASHIMIZU brought down Morgan just outside the area. Referee Bibiana STEINHAUS, judging that the foul denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, sent Iwashimizu off. Nothing was created from the free kick, and in the shootout, Nadeshiko keeper Ayumi KAIHORI saved from Shannon BOXX and Tobin HEATH, before Saki KUMAGAI scored the winner to earn Japan their first Women’s World Cup title.
[posted MON 18 JUL 2011 – 00:14:17 UTC]

Third place for shorthanded Sweden: Sweden claimed third place at the 2011 Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 win over France. Both teams outperformed expectations in making it this far, but the Swedes came away with medals despite playing the latter part down a woman. They took the lead thirty minutes in as Lotta SCHELIN got on the end of a long ball from Sara LARSSON. France equalised from Élodie THOMIS, a first half replacement for injured Louisa NÉCIB, in the 56th minute. Just over ten minutes later, Sonia BOMPASTOR collided hard with Josefine ÖQVIST, who responded by kicking out at Bompastor. Referee Kari SEITZ sent Öqvist off; though Bompastor was not sanctioned, the Sinsheim crowd, feeling that she had instigated the incident, jeered her every touch throughout the remainder of the match. They no doubt felt that justice was done eight minutes from time, as Marie HAMMARSTRÖM earned the win with a powerful strike into the upper corner, her first career goal for Sweden.
[posted SAT 16 JUL 2011 – 19:46:09 UTC]

Three additional Korea DPR players fail drug tests: FIFA confirmed on SAT 16 JUL 2011 that three other Korea DPR players, in addition to the two previously announced, have failed drug tests at the 2011 Women’s World Cup. After the team’s match against Sweden in Group C, SONG Jong Sun and JONG Pok Sim both tested positive. By rule, when multiple players on a team fail drug tests, the entire squad must be tested; three other, yet unnamed, players failed these tests. According to FIFA, the Korea DPR football federation blamed the test results on a traditional Chinese treatment involving the glands of musk deer. The players involved face suspensions of up to two years.
[posted SAT 16 JUL 2011 – 19:31:26 UTC]

Several within range of Golden Boot: There are a number of players who could come away with the Golden Boot at the 2011 Women’s World Cup going into the third place and final matches. The current leader, MARTA of Brazil, has four goals and two assists, but her team is now out. Homare SAWA of Japan has four goals and one assist, Abby WAMBACH of the United States has three goals and an assist, and Lisa DAHLKVIST of Sweden has three goals and no assists. These three players are all expected to participate in the last weekend. A few other active players could also threaten: the US’s Lauren CHENEY, Japan’s Nahomi KAWASUMI, and France’s Marie-Laure DELIE and Gaëtane THINEY each have two goals. Ties are resolved by the greater assist total, and then by fewer minutes played.
[posted SAT 16 JUL 2011 – 02:48:18 UTC]

Day 18 recap: On WED 13 JUL 2011, the two finalists of the Women’s World Cup were identified. At least one of them was not fancied to advance this far.
» France 01-03 United States: Midway through the second half in Mönchengladbach, les Bleues surely felt they had the upper hand. Sonia BOMPASTOR’s floating cross had skipped in at the far post to equalise, and the French had most of the possession; the US had not even mustered a shot on goal since Lauren CHENEY’s opening goal in the ninth minute. But as in their quarterfinal match, the Americans turned it around in a moment. In the 79th minute, Abby WAMBACH headed in to take the lead – her third goal in as many matches – and Alex MORGAN added another three minutes later. Just like that, the US were in the final for the first time since 1999.
» Japan 03-01 Sweden: The Frankfurt weather did not affect the match; the stadium roof was simply deployed to keep the rain out. Josefine ÖQVIST opened the scoring for Sweden, but Japan promptly found an equaliser that was credited to Nahomi KAWASUMI despite looking to have caromed off Öqvist’s leg. In the second half, though, Swedish keeper Hedvig LINDAHL came away as the goat. She first failed to control a loose ball in her area that Homare SAWA headed in, and four minutes later, she ventured to the top of the area only to see her clearance go straight to Kawasumi, who sent a fantastic chip over Lindahl’s head and into the top corner. Japan are in the final for the first time and will meet the US, and Sweden will lock horns with France for third place.
[posted THU 14 JUL 2011 – 04:29:32 UTC]

Day 15 recap: On the anniversary of the epic final of the 1999 Women’s World Cup, the day’s quarterfinals had much to live up to – and may have exceeded that standard.
» Sweden 03-01 Australia: The Aussies were two goals down in Augsburg after just sixteen minutes, as Therese SJÖGRAN and Lisa DAHLKVIST found net. Five minutes before the break, Ellyse PERRY pulled one back, but in the 52nd minute, a mistaken passback by Kim CARROLL gifted a clear look on goal, and Lotta SCHELIN made no mistake.
» Brazil 02-02 United States [F/OT; PK: 03-05]: The spectators in Dresden were treated to another historic Brazil-US tie that saw the Americans take the lead two minutes in on a DAIANE own goal. In the 66th minute, referee Jacqui MELKSHAM made the first of her many decisions that will draw heavy scrutiny. In a tieup between MARTA and Rachel BUEHLER, Melksham astonishingly gave not only a penalty to Brazil but a red to Buehler. CRISTIANE’s penalty was saved by Hope SOLO, but Melksham ordered a retake, apparently believing that a US player had encroached in the area. Marta took the second penalty and equalised. She then added a well taken chip to the far post early in extra time. Then, deep into stoppage time of extra time – the 122nd minute – the US, still down a woman, equalised with an Abby WAMBACH header from a perfect cross from Megan RAPINOE. This forced a penalty shootout, won by the US on the strength of Solo’s save of Daiane.
» Semifinal matchups: Japan-Sweden, France-United States
[posted SUN 10 JUL 2011 – 18:55:56 UTC]

Day 14 recap: The elimination phase of the Women’s World Cup opened with two tense quarterfinals and one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history.
» England 01-01 France [F/OT; PK: 03-04]: In Leverkusen, Jill SCOTT gave England the lead at the hour mark with a long blast over goalkeeper Céline DEVILLE. Two minutes from time, though, Élise BUSSAGLIA found the equaliser through a crowded eighteen yard box. Extra time produced no breakthroughs, and although Camille ABILY missed the first penalty of the shootout, all remaining French players scored. As the pressure mounted, Claire RAFFERTY missed to the right, and Faye WHITE struck the bar. Les Bleues reach the semifinals for the first time but must face the Brazil-United States winner.
» Germany 00-01 Japan [F/OT]: The host nation’s attention was on Wolfsburg, but with careful possession play and stifling defending, Japan made clear that they were not to be overlooked. The deadlock was finally broken in the 18th minute of overtime, but it was Nadeshiko substitute Karina MARUYAMA who scored past Nadine ANGERER at an impossibly tight angle. Increasingly furious attacks from the Germans were turned away by goalkeeper Ayumi KAIHORI and her well organised defense, and when the final whistle blew, Germany were out. Japan, also making their first semifinal appearance, meet the Sweden-Australia winner.
[posted SAT 09 JUL 2011 – 21:50:26 UTC]

Korea DPR’s Song, Jong fail drug tests: FIFA announced on THU 07 JUL 2011 the provisional suspension of two Korea DPR defenders, SONG Jong Sun and JONG Pok Sim, after both players failed drug tests taken after the team’s 1-0 loss to Sweden in Group C. The players were both ineligible to compete in the last match, a goalless draw against Colombia, and as required when multiple players test positive, all other Korean players were tested after that match. FIFA has not publicly stated what substances were found, but has confirmed that Jong’s and Song’s B samples are to be tested.
[posted FRI 08 JUL 2011 – 00:58:11 UTC]

Day 11 recap: One Nordic side goes home, while another records a historic victory, on WED 06 JUL 2011.
» Equatorial Guinea 00-03 Brazil: Brazil missed an early opportunity to take the lead, as neither ÉRIKA nor CRISTIANE could redirect a MARTA free kick into the net. But Érika and Cristiane both scored early on in the second half, and Cristiane added a penalty in stoppage time.
» Australia 02-01 Norway: The teams were tied for second in Group D, but with Australia ahead on goal difference, the Norwegians needed a win. They drew first blood in the 56th minute as Elise THORSNES scored on a free ball in the area. But Kyah SIMON immediately equalised at the other end, and she headed in a second just three minutes from time. Norway fail to reach the elimination phase of a Women’s World Cup for the first time.
» Korea DPR 00-00 Colombia: Already eliminated from Group C, these two teams leave Germany with a point each, but without scoring any goals.
» Sweden 02-01 United States: A penalty from Lisa DAHLKVIST and a deflected free kick from Nilla FISCHER put Sweden ahead by two at the interval, and despite one goal from Abby WAMBACH and a furious hunt for another, the US lost a group phase match for the first time in Women’s World Cup history. Regardless, both teams were already through to the next round.
» Quarterfinal matchups: Sweden-Australia, Brazil-United States
[posted THU 07 JUL 2011 – 00:21:31 UTC]

Day 10 recap: There were some late surprises on TUE 05 JUL 2011, though mostly from teams who are on their way home.
» New Zealand 02-02 Mexico: It looked like a Mexican fiesta after Stephany MAYOR and Maribel DOMÍNGUEZ both scored within the first thirty minutes. But goals from Rebecca SMITH in the 90th minute, and Hannah WILKINSON well into stoppage time, earned the Ferns their first point at a Women’s World Cup in three appearances.
» England 02-00 Japan: Ellen WHITE and Rachel YANKEY were the goalscorers as England pipped Japan to the top of Group B.
» Canada 00-01 Nigeria: Both teams had no chance of advancing to the elimination phase, and it seemed even the infrastructure had given up on them, as the floodlights failed in Dresden in the 70th minute. After a ten minute delay, the action restarted, and just moments later, Perpetua NKWOCHA scored to send Canada to the foot of Group A.
» France 02-04 Germany: The home Germans were up 2-0 at the interval, and shortly afterward, Marie-Laure DELIE headed in a corner to pull France back within one. But hope for les Bleues dimmed when goalkeeper Bérangère SAPOWICZ was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity to Fatmire BAJRAMAJ. Inka GRINGS converted the penalty, and Germany held on to finish atop Group A.
» Quarterfinal matchups: Germany-Japan, England-France
[posted WED 06 JUL 2011 – 05:04:02 UTC]

Day 8 recap: Open, attacking football was on show on SUN 03 JUL 2011. Pity that nobody will be talking about it.
» Australia 03-02 Equatorial Guinea: Two goals early in the second half turned the tide in the Matildas’ favour, but the talking point has been an epic fail by referee Gyoengyi GAAL. In the 16th minute, with the Aussies up 1-0, Eq Guinea defender BRUNA, believing she heard the referee’s whistle, picked up the ball in her own area. Astoundingly, Gaal stood idly by and allowed play to continue. In the end, Eq Guinea still lost and now have no chance of advancing from Group D.
» Brazil 03-00 Norway: After a slow start against Australia, MARTA served as the Brazilians’ inspiration today, with two goals and an assist. Brazil are now securely in the elimination phase, whilst Norway must defeat Australia in the last match or else the Matildas are in.
[posted SUN 03 JUL 2011 – 18:32:55 UTC]

Day 7 recap: As with the other groups, the élite separated themselves from the rest in Group C on SAT 02 JUL 2011.
» Korea DPR 00-01 Sweden: The Swedes passed a difficult test on the day on the back of Lisa DAHLKVIST’s goal midway through the second half. Shortly after, Sara THUNEBRO kept the three points safe as she headed away RI Un Hyang’s shot off the line. But Caroline SEGER was issued her second booking in as many matches and will be suspended for Sweden’s last group match.
» United States 03-00 Colombia: The US took the lead twelve minutes in with a spectacular long range strike from Heather O’REILLY. Katerin CASTRO would have equalised just before halftime but was offside; the Americans took full advantage and added goals from Megan RAPINOE and Carli LLOYD in the second half. The US and Sweden are both now assured of a place in the elimination phase.
[posted SAT 02 JUL 2011 – 18:14:22 UTC]

Day 6 recap: The favourites in Group B rose to the occasion and served notice to their potentially upcoming foes on FRI 01 JUL 2011.
» Japan 04-00 Mexico: The most capped player and most prolific goalscorer in the history of the Japanese women’s side, Homare SAWA, came away with a hat trick as the Nadeshiko easily sealed their place in the elimination phase.
» New Zealand 01-02 England: Sarah GREGORIUS gave the Ferns their first lead in a Women’s World Cup match, but her teammates could not keep it. Jill SCOTT equalised just after the one hour mark. In the 81st minute, with Kiwi goalkeeper Jenny BINDON frantically giving chase, Jessica CLARKE powered home Scott’s alert pass. The result eliminates New Zealand from contention for the next round, whilst England need only a draw against Japan to advance.
[posted FRI 01 JUL 2011 – 18:23:21 UTC]

Day 5 recap: The mystery was removed from Group A, save for the order of finish, on THU 30 JUN 2011.
» Canada 00-04 France: Two goals from Gaëtane THINEY and one each from Camille ABILY and Élodie THOMIS earned les Bleues a place in the elimination phase.
» Germany 01-00 Nigeria: It was an anxious ninety minutes for the nearly 50,000 in attendance in Frankfurt. Birgit PRINZ struggled, and referee CHA Sung Mi was reluctant to control the heavily physical Nigerian defending. Simone LAUDEHR eventually scored the winner in the 54th minute on a scramble in the area. The day’s results put France and Germany into the quarterfinals with a match still to play.
[posted FRI 01 JUL 2011 – 00:20:00 UTC]

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