Terrible, terrible luck. I thought we were brilliant tonight and deserved to go through. Apart from the penalty, our keeper barely had a shot to save. I still think we don't have the class of the USA and possibly Germany, but another great performance on Saturday may just win 3rd place against Germany.
It was a dodgy England penalty as well. But none of the commentators and pundits spotted the Japanese girl pulling Houghtons hair. Just a quick tug, but may have got the decision. Still a dodgy fall to the ground, though.
I feel absolutely terrible for Bassett. I played a friendly game up in Portland against their supporters 4 years ago where I missed an easy header and we went on to lose 2-1. I still wake up at night thinking about that. I am no where near the level of player she is either. That's going to be hard to get over.
Very unlucky and such a cruel way to lose.. Disciplined and solid performance right till the end. (the penalties did kind of even themselves out though I thought) Even worse we've now probably got to get beaten by the Germans in the 3rd/4th play-off..
What a way to go out, really surprised myself how much I wanted to women to get to the final, show the men how to do it. Well done, you did England proud. Out of interest those are are experts at football, what league or level would the women's team be in the men's league? I really have not got a clue ?
I'm not really sorry to see the back of the graceless Lionesses. Ever since their insulting and ignorant comments before the game with Colombia - a team that had stunned everyone with a shock win against France. "They will be flamboyant, they will be in your faces, they will kick and foul you, they will break up play and frustrate you. That's their game plan." Really? Flamboyant, dirty South Americans eh? They've certainly got their game plan all worked out. Luckily they managed to avoid the efficient, technical and ruthless Germans, the defensive and dirty Italians and all those other racial stereotypes to which teams unerringly belong. Overachieved. Lucky to get out of the group. Lacking any flair players and worst of all big gob bad winners. If they'd reached the final it would have been a travesty.
As I said earlier in the thread the Womens game should almost be considered a different sport. Even at the top level they'd seriously struggle against any half decent Mens team. I once saw an U17 ladies team play an U17 mens team, both really good in their own leagues, and the ladies hardly got a touch. I read somewhere that the best female tennis player wouldn't stand a chance against the 500th ranked male player. It's not sexist it's just a fact that physically men are stronger and faster so it's impossible and a bit unfair really to compare the same level. I thought the Ladies did fantastically. Completely held their own against the World Champions, and managed to go out in proper England style. Really proud of what they've achieved and how they've raised the profile of Womens football in this country. Hopefully more parents will consider football as a sport for their daughters because it's fantastic for keeping them fit and healthy.
Up for 6 am to watch it with my daughter. When I saw just how much there was on iplayer I thought: extra time and penalties...we're going to be very late for school.
Ouch. We were all over them in the Second half. Cruel. She had to get her foot in so no blame there. We can now hammer zee Germans
I've thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. Skillwise it's mostly just as good as the men's game. First touches have been excellent throughout. Tactically it's as good too as far as I can see. We've heard the revelation that blokes are bigger, faster and stronger. Well there's a thing. There have been some excellent goals including from distance too. And some excellent headed goals (although, in general, heading ability in front of goal has been quite poor). Goalies aren't as good because they're smaller. Most noticeably there has been no rolling about on the floor after an innocuous tackle (like a big girl's blouse - Ha!) and no 'getting in the ref's face' either. Just the odd shrug of dissent or polite question now and again. All of our squad have given everything, 'left it all on the pitch' and played for the shirt with gusto. They all deserve a hero's welcome when they return home. It seems to me that the pampered, arrogant, over-paid prima donnas in the male leagues and male international squad have far more to learn from our women's team and the women's game in general rather than the other way around.
Thing is, I think she did the right thing trying to stop the cross on her favoured foot. Just unlucky. I think the Japanese forward may have scored anyway. The final will be interesting. No love lost between these two teams. Can only see a win for the U.S. Morgan seems to be a very good player.
I think you're right, it may have made a good scoring opportunity for Japan. Bardsley may have been able to handle it easily enough...She did a wonderful job all tournament long, but you never know though. I felt the same way as you about the Final in 2011... It was a real surprise to me to see Japan stay in the game the whole time and make their efforts pay off in the end. They frustrated the US the whole game that year. I think the US may be a little more prepared specifically for the way Japan plays this time around, but to get a result won't be easy. Basically, it will still be an upset if Japan wins, but not as much as it was in 2010. Mr. Theivam may have better insight on how that game went down though. I'll have to pick his brain on it since I can't recall all the details anymore.
Another solid display against the top ranked side and took our chance when it came. Impressive to bonce back from the disappointment of the Japan game with such discipline.
Great performance showing a real commitment to the cause- worked their hearts out and gave everything- what more do you want from - not just a national team- but any team!!! 3rd place thoroughly deserved!!!
Congratulations to England! Very satisfying to watch the game end that way..l. Here is to a bright future for England's womens football program.
Justice and the USA in the same sentence?? .... you really are the comedian ZZ, I'll give you that much. Oh and ..... C'mon Japan!
