WOW. That was a close shave.
Brill Nigerians played like Amazons and almost made it theirs
Eng. Without Keira. Down to 10 players for the best part of 60mins. Then Penalty shot out.
Great pity Laura lost her cool. So out of character. Normally one of the best assets. With this tournament. 3 Goals + 3 Goal assists.
Side-lined for the next.
Under review. "May be banded from the rest of the tournament".
That's really going to put, the Brill Lionesses under pressure.

Immature Idiot, the only two words i can use to describe James, as i have always said, it does not matter how brilliant a player you are, you are no good to any team, domestic or International, when you are a liability
Today, James became that liability, James was man marked throughout the game by a superb Nigerian player, the same player James stepped on/walked on (James didn't stamp on her), frustration is no excuse for that behaviour, nothing less than a red card was warranted
Under F.I.F.A rules, a minimum one game ban, unless it is seen as violent behaviour, all depending the F.I.F.A interpretation of what happened, could then be a minimum 3 game ban
Anyway, rant over
Nigeria were the bigger, stronger, harder team, they didn't have the majority of the ball, they did have 20 plus attempts on goal, even though only two were on target, once they find their prolific scorers in the final third
England held strong, under pressure, and, to be perfectly honest, did a smash and grab, they committed daylight robbery, Nigeria were the better team who lost today, England were not the better team who stepped up with the penalties to win
Either Columbia or Jamaica, whoever it is in the Quarter Final, are not going to be any easier than Nigeria
Games on

Talking of teams of the future, got to mention Portugal, those ladies are technically gifted, again, as with Nigeria and a handful of others, they just need to sort out the final third, the prolific goalscorers, and they will, in time

Finally, the standard of football compared to four years ago, and the speed it is moving at, the mens game took several decades to get to where it is now, if the ladies game keeps progressing at the speed it is, it will take half of that time to get there

DarrenM wrote: SNIPED 2 Relevance.
Finally, the standard of football compared to four years ago, and the speed it is moving at, the mens game took several decades to get to where it is now, if the ladies game keeps progressing at the speed it is, it will take half of that time to get there[/quote
Concur. Theses girls under Serina's management . Have for a RU supporter, previously with little interest in soccer. Made the game a thrilling "Team Sport" to watch.
Throughout the tournament. Almost all Nations have fielded absolutely brilliant Goal Keepers. Agility, Anticipation of direction. And un stinting determination. Amazing.
The Lionesses are going to be stretched to their limit. By the skills about to face their now depleted resources.

DarrenM wrote: Immature Idiot, the only two words i can use to describe James, as i have always said, it does not matter how brilliant a player you are, you are no good to any team, domestic or International, when you are a liability
Today, James became that liability, James was man marked throughout the game by a superb Nigerian player, the same player James stepped on/walked on (James didn't stamp on her), frustration is no excuse for that behaviour, nothing less than a red card was warranted
Under F.I.F.A rules, a minimum one game ban, unless it is seen as violent behaviour, all depending the F.I.F.A interpretation of what happened, could then be a minimum 3 game ban
Anyway, rant over
Nigeria were the bigger, stronger, harder team, they didn't have the majority of the ball, they did have 20 plus attempts on goal, even though only two were on target, once they find their prolific scorers in the final third
England held strong, under pressure, and, to be perfectly honest, did a smash and grab, they committed daylight robbery, Nigeria were the better team who lost today, England were not the better team who stepped up with the penalties to win
Either Columbia or Jamaica, whoever it is in the Quarter Final, are not going to be any easier than Nigeria
Games on

Talking of teams of the future, got to mention Portugal, those ladies are technically gifted, again, as with Nigeria and a handful of others, they just need to sort out the final third, the prolific goalscorers, and they will, in time

Finally, the standard of football compared to four years ago, and the speed it is moving at, the mens game took several decades to get to where it is now, if the ladies game keeps progressing at the speed it is, it will take half of that time to get there

Hi Darren, Idiot yes, but she will learn from it, I'm sure, I remember Beckham doing something similar ,he more than made up for it, he was called a few things too ..lol...

OK .... QUARTER FINALS ARE ....

Rue, i Remember it well, 1998 v Argentina, last 16, a very young Michael Owen comes on and scores an absolute beauty, yep, Beckham, face down, flicks his boot up and hits Simeone, again, immature idiot, a straight red card, that day we (England) lost 3-2
I hope James does learn from it, a superb talent with such potential, lets hope she doesn't be come a (Luis) Suarez, he went through a habit of biting people
Anyway
The Columbian Women are going to be another test, another dogged team, plenty of talent, boundless energy
Games on

DarrenM wrote: Rue,
Snipped.
Anyway
The Columbian Women are going to be another test, another dogged team, plenty of talent, boundless energy Games on

Spot On. This tournament has unexpectedly floored some High Flyers .Low rankers excelling.
With Eng. WR 4 & Col. WR 25. The overtones of a Push Over.
The Lionesses wont be arrogant. But do hope they don't field there depleted team.
As a Casual Knockabout.
Japan at WR 11. Is also another that may well surprise the course of upstream events.
Its been a fascinating tournament so far. With some real Humdingers in the pipeline.

QuinTSensual wrote:

DarrenM wrote: Rue,
Snipped.
Anyway
The Columbian Women are going to be another test, another dogged team, plenty of talent, boundless energy Games on

Spot On. This tournament has unexpectedly floored some High Flyers .Low rankers excelling.
With Eng. WR 4 & Col. WR 25. The overtones of a Push Over.
The Lionesses wont be arrogant. But do hope they don't field there depleted team.
As a Casual Knockabout.
Japan at WR 11. Is also another that may well surprise the course of upstream events.
Its been a fascinating tournament so far. With some real Humdingers in the pipeline.

I prefer the Lionesses to win , but my fancy is Spain ... it's good to see James only got a 2 match ban so could be back for the Final ... Let's hope ....

Underestimate Japan at your peril, the last Nation in the competition to have won the World Cup, on form and firing on all cylinders
If, and it is a big if, England manage to get to the final, then the team who got them there will have a big shout for places
James will be available, however, assessment on the fact that James was man marked and outplayed by Nigeria, also shouts lack of ability (experience) to adapt and change the way of play
However, S.W is a superb Manager, S.W will assess each opponents strengths and weaknesses, and will select the team accordingly

but first Quarter Final business, looking forward to Spain (España) v Holland (Nederland)

I don't think I have ever been in tears at the end of a football match before. But seeing the Japan players crying at the end of the Japan v Sweden match was SO emotional. They put their hearts and souls into it and played out of their skins, especially for the last 20 minutes. All credit to Sweden who played brilliantly. The entire team of Sweden played to a high standard. They were unbeatable today. Japan could not match their long legs and were continually outrun. I shall miss watching Japan who had some brilliant footwork and were amazing to watch. Gutted they are out.