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Womens World Cup starting to take shape
The quarter finals have all been decided after the group stage of the Womens World Cup, USA '03, was completed today. Here's a look at the quarter finals and how they came to be:
USA Vs. Norway
The hosts found their group stage an easy task, disposing of each team with a minimum of three goals against each of them.
Their first match against Sweden saw them resist a late fightback from the Swedes. Leading 2-0 Sweden pulled one back only for Shannon Boxx to score on 78 minutes, giving the USA a two goal cushion. 3-1 the final score. The second match was a five goal romp over Nigeria. The star of this match was Mia hamm who found her goal scoring boots, two for her early as the USA did it easy. The finished the job by earning a 3-0 win over North Korea, Cat Reddick surprising all by supplying two of the three goals. The defender had only ever scored once before for the US.
Norway did it tougher than their opponents however, suffering a loss despite their favourites tag for the group.
Starting with a 2-0 win over France, Norway soon suffered at the hands of South American flaire. Brazil rained on the Norweigens parade, defeating them 4-1. Despite pulling one goal back on half time to go in at 2-1, Brazil were too strong and finished with four. Norway were out to avenge their loss and unfortunatly for Korea, it was them in the way. 90 minutes later and Norway had walked away with a 7-1 romp. Unbelievably there were no hat-tricks, two doubles to Dagny Mellgren and Linda Ormen was the closest they could do. Complete domination and Norway sewed up second spot.
Germany Vs. Russia
Germany's another side that managed a minimum of three goals per game, blitzing their group easily.
Despite scoring 4 minutes in, Germany took no prisoners and demolished Canada 4-1 to open it's campaign. Japan couldn't put up much fight either, submitting to a 3-0 scoreline. Birgit Prinz scoring twice for Germany against the Asians. Against Argentina they showed absolute domination, thumping them 6-1. Maren Meinert netting twice and Birgit Prinz showing why she earned her place, scoring once and taking player of the match.
Russia has more or less fumbled into second place, despite an impressive showing against Ghana.
A 2-1 win against Australia was helped by an own goal and an 89th minute winner by Elena Fomina helping them to the three points. Ghana proved an easy obsticle for Russia however, rampaging in a 3-0 win. Their final match was against China and it was expected they'd take it to the Chinese going on tornament form. It was China though that came through with a 1-0 win, knocking Russia down to second and forced to face Germany.
Brazil Vs. Sweden
Brazil were cruising and were virtually guarenteed a spot when they came up against the French with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Comfortable 3-0 wins and 4-1 wins over Korea and Norway respectively saw Brazil top the group, almost guaranteed a place in the next round. Their match against the French proved to be a danger match though as the Womens World Cup first timers needed a win to have a chance of progression. After defeating and causing an upset over Norway, Brazil came out confident but unable to penetrate the defence of France. Not until the 58th minute that is when Katia netted. Brazil continued confident until the end where they rested on their lorals. France took advantage and drew level in the second minute of injury time. The game finished 1-1. Luckily it was enough for Brazil to go through in first.
Sweden can be happy they avoided Scandinavian neighbour Norway, but a tough Brail isn't easy either.
After losing 3-1 to the hosts, Sweden toughed out a 1-0 victory over north Korea. Only a 3-0 win over Nigeria assured their place in the next round, Hanna Ljungberg scoring twice to set up the vitory.
China Vs. Canada
China's form ahs been disappointing. Despite this they still managed to top group D.
Against a team they were expected to crush, China could only manage a 1-0 win over Ghana. Their follow up match was an upset of sorts. 1-1 with Australia after China dominated play. It should have been much more but China couldn't break down the defence and had to split the points. Finally they faced Russia and managed a 1-0 win, just enough to assure passage into the next round as winners of Group D.
Canada did it tough, grabbing second in the final game of the group stage.
Losing first up to Germany put Canada on the back foot but a 3-0 win over group minows Argentina set them back on course. The match against Japan was for second spot and a draw was enough for Japan to progress on goal difference. After gong behind on 20 minutes, Canada came back and snatched a 3-1 win, securing their place in the next round.
30 September, 2003 |
