Quarter-final line up starts to take shape

SHANGHAI, 18 September 2007

The USA finished top of their group after narrowly defeating Nigeria in a rain-soaked encounter in Shanghai. They now face Group A runners-up England in Tianjin on Saturday. Despite losing their last game to Sweden, North Korea qualified for the last eight for the first time in their history. They will face the formidable Germany, who, despite again failing to reach the highs of their first match, defeated Japan comfortably in their final group game.

Instant Predictions (aka “preparing for egg on face”):

USA – England: If they defend like they did against Germany, then England could hold the USA’s three-pronged frontline for some time. However, impressive though Kelly Smith has been so far, England probably don’t have enough speed and guile going forward to break through the fierce US defensive-line. It could come down to how well each side uses their wing-play and who wins the aerial battles. The USA will probably prove too strong.

Germany – North Korea: I haven’t seen as much of Korea as I would have liked, but they are building a reputation as being not only fast, but tough as well. Germany are as tough as they get, but have shown a few surprising weaknesses in the first round. Against Argentina some slack passing went unpunished, while their forwards seemed subdued against both England and Japan. Most money will be on Germany to prevail, but an outside bet on North Korea might not be totally unreasonable.

Match Report:

    

USA 1 Nigeria 0

Greg Ryan, USA team coach, was in diplomatic but confident form after a hard-fought victory in the pouring rain in Shanghai confirmed his side’s to placing in Group B. Praising Nigeria for their strong performances throughout the Group stage, he said of next opponents England “I expected them to make it. In the game against Germany they showed how strong they are.” But Ryan has no doubts about the abilities of his young squad: “Our team defending makes it very difficult to beat us. We’ll be able to take that into the next round and the one after. This team has what it takes to win this World Cup.”

A lucky deflection from a long-throw set-piece allowed them to take the lead on 54 seconds. For most of the game they looked sure of holding this, but Nigeria gave them some scares in the second half and in the end the Americans were glad of the final whistle.

The playing surface, which was of decidedly patchy quality before a single drop of rain had fallen, did no favours for either side. The weighting of passes was very difficult to judge as sometimes the puddles held the ball up, sometimes the slickness of the grass carried the ball faster than expected ahead of the onrushing players.

Nigeria in particular seemed to struggle at first to find a way to play their preferred fast, short passing game and somehow break down a strong, organised US defense. For the US, Abby Wambach and captain Kristine Lilly both came close, but could not extend their lead.

The last ten minutes saw sustained Nigerian pressure, with the tireless Pepetua Nkwocha setting up an excellent chance for Stella Mbachu that Hope Powell had to do well to get down and save at her near post.

Nigeria coach, Ntiero Effiom, praised his players’ performance, heralding them as proof that Africa deserves more qualifying places for the Women’s World Cup. With a little more luck or a stronger final product, they may have had the scoreline tonight to back that up.

The best or worst advert for women’s football?

Germany 11 Argentina 0

SHANGHAI, 10 Sep 2007. Group A.

It could be said that 11-0 is a flattering scoreline. Germany should have had more.

Aided and abeted by the ridiculous and the risible, Germany destroyed Argentina with as clear a statement of intent as possible about their desire and ability to retain their world title.

Two almost identical own goals from Argentinian goalkeeper, Vanina Correa, punching the ball into her own net from corners, bookended this opening match, while a Birget Prinz hat-trick showed that she has not lost any of the desire that propelled the German side to glory in the USA four years ago.

This was so one-sided nearly a third of the spectators left at half time and didn’t return. By the 85th minute less than half the announced attendance remained. They missed some goals, but the result was never in doubt.

Argentina huffed and puffed, but whenever they threatened a speedy break, Germany easily overwhelmed them with strength of numbers or sheer strength.

The Argentinian plan to woman-mark Prinz out of the game backfired spectacularly when the striker led her marker, Sabrina Barbitta, a merry dance around the field. Her tireless workrate created the space necessary for the German midfield to spray passes, make runs in and out of the channels and generally cause havock for the Argentinian defence. With winger Behringer and Garefrekes playing so far upfield, all Prinz had to do was drag her marker deep and leave Argentina three on three at the back.

Aside from the own goals (generously described on the PA as “a goal in the favour of the team of Germany”), there were some excellent moves: a 40-yard, Beckham-esque “Hollywood ball” for Garefrekes to volley in the second goal, a neat finish after a mazy run and cut-in from the left by Behringer, two trademark headers and a tap in from Prinz, a long ranger from Lingor, and a hat-trick from Prinz’s equally hard working strike partner, Sandra Smisek.

The goals looked impressive, the Germans strong and commanding, but in many ways this was like a computer game match on the “absolute beginners” setting. Not even a training session.

In the press conference afterwards, Prinz was asked what this said about the women’s game: “I think you should ask Argentina that question,” she replied, a little tartly, “This result was not our fault.” True. ‘You can only beat what’s in front of you’ as they say. But when the opening game of a World Cup ends 11-0, questions about true depth of quality will continue to hang around the women’s game. Sorry, Birgit…

Woman of the match: Birgit Prinz. It could really have been any of the Germans. Smisek ran the Argentians even more ragged than Prinz, Garefrekes and Behringer were constant menaces on the wings. But Prinz gave an exemplary performance in all the arts of forward play – holding the ball up, working a defence, creating space, clinical finishing – that few of her male equivalents could have carried off with such applomb. She responded to the Argentinian marking-plan by dragging poor Barbitta all over the pitch. Wide, deep, left, right. Her movement directly contributed to more than half of Germany’s total.

[pics and more detail to follow]