Very soft. There was brush of contact but not enough to make her lose balance. Been more diving and exaggeration than usual in this match, for the women's game.
I will be amazed if Germany v Netherlands isn't the other semi final. Though Japan will fancy beating the Dutch. But USA v France and England v Norway are close contests.
Sweden v Canada is a close one but I will go for Sweden because Canada are not great travelers as a rule.
I am quite into this tournament which has surprised me as I've always been a bit dismissive of women's football, for no reason other than my own prejudice. I love any live sport on TV and especially tournaments. The atmosphere at the stadia has been brilliant and there has been enough incidents to keep anyone interested. BBC coverage excellent on radio and TV.
Didn't it even get scrapped in the NFL after they first brought it in due to excessively delaying the gameplay (which is already fractured due to the nature of the game)?!?
Think they get a set amount of challenges, which I’ve always thought would be a better option, say 3 per half, if your challenge is upheld you don’t lose it, tennis works well. Only head coach or captain can instigate the challenge.
Agree - but i'd limit it to one per game.
yep, 3 per half is far too many for football. this system works really well in hockey with one challenge per game which is kept if the challenge is upheld, only allowed to refer incidents that affect the awarding of a goal, penalty corner or penalty stroke
This tournament really getting going now. Most games good, shame about the England game which would have had the biggest TV audience by far. Still being bit spoilt by VAR, of which I am increasingly becoming disillusioned with.
Thought thought USA v Spain was an excellent game. Spain surprised me how technically good they were
They made USA look human!
I still think they (USA) are the team to beat but on a good day France or England even, if they can get past Norway which will be tough, are capable of giving them a game.
Netherlands will win it on what ive seen football wise.
As the winners of the Euros on home turf and having their great support behind plus having the best striker Vivienne Miedema, the Dutch look the best value with the Bookies. Longer odds than England and C+ D winners in a major Tournament.
Agreed they weren't, but as you know every side that has ever won a major competition will have the mediocre match that they get through. Even the most highly rated WC winners of all time Brazil had to rely on England missing 2 good chances when winning 1-0 on their way to the 1970 world cup with their team of superstars spearheaded by Pele. Can't thing of any team winning a major tournament when in top gear in all 7 matches.
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Also loved the ref having to explain the rule to the keeper about staying on her line, how do they not know by now?
Do they play an international each week?
13 goals to 3 goals to 2 pens for USA.
All three have just happened to go into the Groups that'll see them facing each other before the Finals
But USA v France and England v Norway are close contests.
Sweden v Canada is a close one but I will go for Sweden because Canada are not great travelers as a rule.
yep, 3 per half is far too many for football. this system works really well in hockey with one challenge per game which is kept if the challenge is upheld, only allowed to refer incidents that affect the awarding of a goal, penalty corner or penalty stroke
I still think they (USA) are the team to beat but on a good day France or England even, if they can get past Norway which will be tough, are capable of giving them a game.
Even the most highly rated WC winners of all time Brazil had to rely on England missing 2 good chances when winning 1-0 on their way to the 1970 world cup with their team of superstars spearheaded by Pele.
Can't thing of any team winning a major tournament when in top gear in all 7 matches.