The Women's World Cup was very entertaining throughout the group stage and the knockout rounds have not disappointed either. Germany absolutely destroyed Sweden 4-1 to advance to the quarterfinals, China slipped past Cameroon 1-0, and yesterday Australia pulled off a major upset by beating Brazil 1-0.
Yesterday, all eyes in Canada were on the day's final match in Vancouver. Canada would take the field in front of a sold out BC Place to take on an exciting Swiss team. Almost everyone on the Fox Sports pregame show predicted Switzerland to pull out a win, but John Herdman and the Canadian national team had different ideas.
Before the tournament many people were excited to see what Canada's coach (from England) had to offer. Most people thought he had brought very good change to the Canadian side and maybe he had, but after just okay group play some people were starting to doubt if he was the right man for the job. I had not lost hope; to me he is the Brendan Rodgers of the women's game. He's a coach that most people are quick to criticize but most of the time I think he knows what he is doing. Before yesterday's game he made a few interesting changes from their previous match. In Canada's last match they drew the Netherlands 1-1 so it wasn't exactly a bad game. If he wins against Switzerland he will be seen as a hero for the changes he made, if he loses the Brendan Rodgerness will get worse.
Win is what he did. 53, 000 people witnessed Canada advance to the quarterfinals when Christine Sinclair, one of the best players to ever play the game, knocked the ball down off a cross to Josee Belanger who slotted it home. This was the only goal in the match and it sent Canada on to the next stage in the tournament. The Swiss had talent as well. The electrifying Ramona Bachmann gave the Canadian defense troubles at times but it just wasn't Switzerland's day.
Canada will either have Norway or England next, both very good opponents, but don't count the Canadians out. They have talent all over the field; they are ranked 8th in the world after all. West Virginia's 2 time Big 12 defensive player of the year Kadeisha Buchanan is about as solid as any other center back in the tournament. Christine Sinclair is of course one of the best players ever, and Belanger and Schmidt make up a great supporting cast.
Today England takes on Norway and the US plays Columbia, both should be great matches. Make sure to check them out.
No comments:
Post a Comment