 |
Finals
After eight years USA regains World Championship on penalty kicks in thrilling match with China
Game Commentary
In one of the most closely contested finals so far, China and the USA battled
to a goalless draw at the end of regular time and extra time and had to
resort to penalty kicks to identify a winner. U.S. Goalkeeper Brianna Scurry
settled the result when she made a diving save to put the USA ahead.
With China showing remarkable defensive abilities in staving off the attacking
minded U.S. Team the game was a thrilling exhibition of women's soccer at
its best in spite of the lack of goals.
President Clinton visited both the Chinese and U.S. locker rooms after the
match.
USA, the new World Champions, are reputed to be visiting Disney World on
Sunday, and will take part in a tournament in Germany with Norway and Germany
next July. Game stats
Brazil 0 - Norway 0 (Brazil wins 5-4 on PK's)
Game report
Mix a slow, defensive approach from Norway with a skillful, defensive strategy
from Brazil and what you get is a boring game. With Norway dependant on
long range shooting and the Brazilians unable to penetrate the Norwegian
straight four-player defensive line, it made the least exciting game either
of these excellent teams have shown during this tournament. Even this most
exuberant crowd became more interested in creating the wave than cheering
the players.
By the second half, with the players slowing in the heat, it seemed inevitable
that the game would be decided in penalty kicks. In the sixth round of PK's
Formiga claimed third place for Brazil, moving up in the world ranks after
placing fourth in the 1996 Olympics.
Unfortunately, as in Australia, the WWC was not televised in Brazil. Game stats
Semifinals
China 5 - Norway 0
Game report
China provided some fireworks to help with the Fourth of July celebration,
scoring five goals in their semifinal match against Norway.
In the third minute Sun Wen scored, and at the 14th minute Liu Ailing proved
that Norway was in for a tough evening. China then game back strong after
the half, with Liu Ailing getting her second goal of the game in the 49th
minute, off a rebound from a corner kick.
After Norway's Jorgensen committed a foul in the 64th minute which resulted
in a free kick, defender Fan Yunjie scored.
In the second half Norway had many more chances to score, but Goa Hong,
in goal for China, rebuffed their attempts. The final blow came for Norway
in the 71st minute when Norway was called for a hand ball in their own box.
The resulting penalty kick was successfully taken by Sun Wen.
The Chinese were fast, aggressive and strong on defense. They will provide
quite a challenge to the U.S. in the final.
Commentary
Norway looked slow and ponderous as China outplayed them in what was one
of the worst international defeats suffered by any of the top five teams
during this last decade. They will be forced to relook at their program
and will find the game for the Bronze rather daunting.
The Final match between the USA and China promises to be another great battle
with China at the top of its game.
USA goes to the Final with 2-0 win over Brazil and meets China who destroyed Norway 5-0
Game Report
The headed goal by Parlow at the fifth minute seemed to prevent Brazil playing
with any preplanned approach, and they were unable to complete any of their
offensive plays. World class goalkeeping by Scurry kept the Brazilians strikers
at bay during the game and was a popular choice for the Budweiser Player
of the Game Award. It ranked as possibly one of her all time best performances.
Brazil gave its best in the second half but the game was put away by the
USA ten minutes from the end when Akers converted a penalty kick awarded
after Hamm was taken down in the box. Game stats
Quarterfinals
Whew!!! USA 3, Germany 2
Commentary
After a bizarre start to the match when for the first time a pass back error
led to the U.S. being down a goal so early in the game, the U.S. Squad showed
the superior strength of its psychological dimension by not allowing the
error to affect its progress. Even with Milbrett being blatantly taken down
from behind in the box with the referee ignoring the infraction and giving
a throw-in, in what must be one of the most "Alice in Wonderland"
decisions seen so far in WWCup `99, failed to dampen the desire and focus
of the U.S. After Milbrett's superbly taken opportunistic goal to even the
game after 16 minutes and Weigmann brilliant shot at the end of the first
half it was wonderful to watch Chastain redeem herself by evening the match
again at the 49th minute with such and igniting the team again. Akers `s
performance was one of the best we have seen from her, she was everywhere
and showed how she can still dominate a game.
Brazil scrapes by Nigeria in extra time 4-3
Commentary
In another match marred by officiating deficiencies allowing players to
be placed in physical danger, the Brazilian team at 3-0 appeared to be trying
to protect its players for the next game. Nigeria took advantage of the
reluctancy to confront and evened up the game with some frantic and fast
play that left the Brazilian team in disarray putting the play into extra
time. But Brazil regrouped and scored the necessary "Golden Goal"
to advance and play the USA in the semi-finals.
First Round Results
|
