June 15, 2003

World Top Ten Rankings © Women's Soccer World

World Top Ten

1. USA

Winning record, experience, skill, psychological dimension, good preparation, unbelievable depth of young talent. The tough testing ground of WUSA has helped the exposure of talent that could have been overlooked.

2. Germany

Has always been on the verge of greatness, they have the skill, good mixture of young and old and the WUSA experience has helped give some of them that missing winning mental attitude. It may rub off on their teammates.

3. China

Good mix of young and old, and their technical skill and speed has kept them at the top when needed.

4. Brazil

Improved physical conditioning, highly skilled mixture of experience and youth could take them to the top. WUSA experience should help rid them of their weakness of losing it under pressure.

5. Sweden

After years of promise the influx of young players who believe in their own abilities has helped them climb back to the top five in performance.

6. Norway

Although still strong physically and mentally, their one dimensional game style has changed little over the years. Always an experienced tough competitor they have dropped in quality and originality in the last three years.

7. Canada

Play a similar physical long ball game as Norway but have more individually skilled young players. WUSA and U.S. University playing experience has helped immensely.

8. Australia

Intensive long term training and aggressive skills have raised their game but they have not found a way to put it all together.

9. France

Their rapid rise in the international arena has been achieved with fluid skilful play and greater support nationally. WUSA experience has helped their confidence.

10. Russia

They have not demonstrated the promise shown in their original quick move into the upper level. Still showing an aggressive, skilful physical game they often lack cohesion and purpose, possibly due to insufficient preparation.

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