Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

I've just watched the rest of the match and I noticed that Lauren James did the same thing 20 mins earlier. I know this because I thought it was the moment and then saw that the match clock was only on 66 mins. Whether it was as bad I couldn't say, but trampling all over your opponent when they're on the floor is a bad habit to get into.

Does this mean a 3 match ban and out of the tournament for her?


Looks like a routine win for Australia

England got away with one there. Lots of excuses being made, but they didn't deserve that win, and James' action was appalling. If England had lost, that would be the Beckham '98 moment of women's football. As it is, England continue and in theory ought to be one of the favourites, certainly in this half of the draw. But that performance convinced no-one.

Australia continuing to make a nation proud. I suspect they'll come a cropper next round if they come up against France (which is the most likely outcome, with all respect to Morocco). But you never know - the home crowd is being the 12th player all the way...

Thought Australia defended very well there as Denmark pressed them hard in the early stages but just couldn't hit the scoreboard ... and then that great rebound goal got a lead and onwards from there...

Quite impressed and I think they have a good chance whoever they face next. Appears Kerr will be ready to play a proper role by then; which should be a bonus.

England obviously won't be happy with their game (except for the result) but if that is the "blip" it may not be too much of a disaster. James might well be ruled out for the rest of the tournament though ... QF automatically but further sanctions possible. At the same time , after a lack-lustre effort and that display of ill discipline , would they even want to restore her - if they can proceed without her next up ?

That Nigerian goalie did a great job ! Was a really nice touch for Kelly to go over and comfort her immediately after her winning penalty - and to shoo the cameras away. Spirit of the game that you don't often see

Jamaica go out, so it's Columbia for England. France thrashing Morocco atm

I'm beginning to wonder about England atm. The only match they've played well was the China game and that was the game that Walsh missed. Walsh is a very fine player and everyone describes her as the most important part of the team, but is there a chance that she's become a bit of a security blanket for the other players? Have England become so dependent on her distribution that if the opposition mark her out of the game, as NIgeria did very effectively, it effectively neutralises England as an attacking threat?

There was an unwillingness to commit players forward in that last match, whereas against China, because England had effectively replaced Walsh with 2 defensive midfielders, there was nothing to stop the wingbacks and forwards bombing forward at every opportunity. Of course China allowed them to do that by not pressing, so maybe I'm overthinking it

hard to see past a Japan v France final atm

Not looking good for Japan now... Sweden bossing this game and 2-0 up after 70 minutes. Still time , I guess...and they are threatening a bit in these last few moments ; but hard to see them scoring twice against this Swedish outfit.

My post must have stirred up Japan...suddenly started attacking after not having a shot for over an hour they rattled home that last twenty minutes.
Penalty miss , scored to make it 2-1 , hit the bar ...really pressured the Swedes in the ten added minutes and they'd have been relieved to hear the final whistle.

But after their excellent form , Japan will be very disappointed to bow out like that.

Sweden new favourite ?

Gingerfinch wrote:Are Japan the team to beat?

And they have been!

Spain 2-1 Netherlands.

Another favourite goes out.

Durhamfootman wrote:hard to see past a Japan v France final atm

My fault probably

Hopefully it will also hex France.

The problem with that, of course, is that England will probably lose to Colombia if France get jinxed out at the QF stage

A lot of "favourites" getting booted out of this competition...

Interesting to see the different trend of opinions place to place : people in England wanting France knocked out ? But here in Australia the confidence continues to build around the home team. To the point that most of the local media now expect Australia to win the cup. That win over Canada convinced the doubters (who were about ready to sack the coach after the loss to Nigeria ) and if you subscribe to their view England should be devoutly hoping the French go through instead

I honestly am not game to make any predictions. As the two sides of the draw have been completely separate it is hard to get any kind of comparisons of strength. What we can say from the group stages perhaps is that the Australia/Nigeria/Canada really was the group of death - underlined by Nigeria nearly tossing England out. So that suggests the Australian outfit should certainly not be underestimated. Their game with France will be fascinating as I do think their weakness is probably defence and the French will really test that.

England really should account for Columbia. I know they've been a bit underwhelming so far but - three clean sheets , and just one spot kick goal conceded when it didn't matter ... surely they'll find some goals from here on , whoever they are playing.

I do like Sweden. Maybe panicked a bit late yesterday ; but overall they've looked very solid. Which probably means Spain will beat them 4-0

Nil all at HT. It really shouldn't be : both teams have missed chances from point blank range.

France mostly in control but Australia have been dangerous on the counter attack. Both defences have made nervous errors - leading to those chances. France might feel they ought to have scored given the amount of time they've spent attacking ; but that late chance for Australia was arguably the best of the half.

Has been pretty willing in terms of challenges. No cards yet but one or two tackles have walked the line ...

Anyone's guess how the second half will go.

French goalkeeper is an accident waiting to happen...keeps making daft errors but so far the Australians haven't managed to cash in.

Must be some goals coming in this game.

Kerr coming on after 55 minutes. Big crowd roar...

And involved immediately as Australia attack ! Beyond me how this is still goalless

Australia are making the chances but not cashing in. Don't end up regretting it!