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.

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. more...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. more...

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. more...

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. more...

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.

One Nordic side goes home, while another records a historic victory, on WED 06 JUL 2011. more...

There were some late surprises on TUE 05 JUL 2011, though mostly from teams who are on their way home. more...

Open, attacking football was on show on SUN 03 JUL 2011. Pity that nobody will be talking about it. more...

As with the other groups, the élite separated themselves from the rest in Group C on SAT 02 JUL 2011. more...

The favourites in Group B rose to the occasion and served notice to their potentially upcoming foes on FRI 01 JUL 2011. more...

The mystery was removed from Group A, save for the order of finish, on THU 30 JUN 2011. more...