Topic: Women's World Cup 2019 (*)

[Barneylfc∗]

Just the fact that many soft fouls were given in that Aus vs Italy game really annoys me. And in general, by watching the few games that I had, the feeling I got was that they are almost playing with different set of standards or should I say a softer version?? Is like, if any team plays like us (high pressing, aggressive when not in possession) in women’s football, they will end up committing hundreds of foul and dozens of cards. Which is not good for the game and is irritating as hell with so many stop/start. Could just be me........

However, I do get your point in terms of the difficulties regarding the much smaller pool of ref. to choose from. Would be nice to see more female ref. being trained and employed by men’s league given if they are good enough for the job.

I've watched pretty much every game so far. Of course the quality isn't Liverpool v Barca, but it is what it is.
In terms of fouls and bookings though, I do think you're way off the mark. There's no more in these games than there are in the mens game. In fact, one more card in the England game yesterday (there was 2, I needed 3) and I'd have been sitting on a 4 figure return.

[Hazell]

Wrong way to look at it. Think of it as a different game altogether, but with the same rules. Then, watch the Japan team from two world cups ago. Superb technique and speed of play.

Might just be Argentina making them look good but this current version of the Japan side have excellent technique as well. A bit slower and lacking bite admittedly but then the 2011 side did win the World Cup because they were pretty great.

[Bobinhood]

Getcher money in on Canada kids. Criminally Underated.  Labbes a decent keeper, Lawrence and Buchanan are amazing defenders, Flemings a child prodigy, Scott and Schmidt are rocks in midfield, Sinclair's literally a legend. saw 30-1, 11th best odds somewhere that's nuts!

They could use more goals but they are not easy to score on at all.

edit also this nonsense about its not as good as the mens game bla blaa...amongst the the most popular sports at the Olympics is woman's beach volleyball. Does anybody ever say "Hey, these chicks would never get into the mens indoor team, not tall enough not strong enough not fast enough." Hell no.   Football is enjoyable at any level whatsoever, its the effort the desire, the closeness of the competition that makes it a thing.

[Barneylfc∗]

edit also this nonsense about its not as good as the mens game bla blaa...amongst the the most popular sports at the Olympics is woman's beach volleyball. Does anybody ever say "Hey, these chicks would never get into the mens indoor team, not tall enough not strong enough not fast enough." Hell no.

I'd hazard a guess that the majority of male viewers aren't watching womens beach volleyball for the love of the sport 

[Bobinhood]

I'd hazard a guess that the majority of male viewers aren't watching womens beach volleyball for the love of the sport 

  I know. but thats the point, if your in a bathing suit suddenly nobody's got any objections about the skill level relative to the men. Leading me to suspect that the entire argument is actually nonsense.  There are mens and womans versions of numerous different games so how come some are ok in two versions and some are not good enough.

[FaitAccompli]

Was at my girlfriend's this weekend, and she doesn't have a TV licence, so the Japan - Argentina match was the first one I've watched this tournament (though I did sneakily catch some of Germany - China). I'm looking forward to sitting down and watching almost every match for the next couple of weeks though, and I think it's great that every summer I can watch either a World Cup or Euros, I love football and don't give a shit who's playing it, when it comes to tournaments.

On to the game...If Japan had some better strikers they could have beaten Argentina, but I think Argentina did a good job in staying relatively compact and pressing Japan into making some uncharacteristic errors with their passing. Japan traditionally are quite a low-scoring team, and that may cause them some issues on getting out of the group, and reaching a third WC final on the bounce.

Let's hope Canada - Cameroon now is a good match 

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Getcher money in on Canada kids. Criminally Underated.  Labbes a decent keeper, Lawrence and Buchanan are amazing defenders, Flemings a child prodigy, Scott and Schmidt are rocks in midfield, Sinclair's literally a legend. saw 30-1, 11th best odds somewhere that's nuts!

They could use more goals but they are not easy to score on at all.

Just put a pound on them at 33-1 so will be coming after you if it doesn't pay out.

edit also this nonsense about its not as good as the mens game bla blaa...amongst the the most popular sports at the Olympics is woman's beach volleyball. Does anybody ever say "Hey, these chicks would never get into the mens indoor team, not tall enough not strong enough not fast enough." Hell no.   Football is enjoyable at any level whatsoever, its the effort the desire, the closeness of the competition that makes it a thing.

What a strange sport to use in your argument     

I agree with you though,the reason why some of these games have been so poor is the same reason why so many in the Mens WC are.

[Barneylfc∗]

I know. but thats the point, if your in a bathing suit suddenly nobody's got any objections about the skill level relative to the men. Leading me to suspect that the entire argument is actually nonsense.  There are mens and womans versions of numerous different games so how come some are ok in two versions and some are not good enough.

Fair point, well made 

[Bobinhood]

Geez so far Canada's looking a bit nervous they are usually very fluid. Hopefully they will settle in.

[Crosby Nick]

Where are you all watching this? Thought it was on the bbcor is that only the England games?

[FaitAccompli]

Where are you all watching this? Thought it was on the bbcor is that only the England games?

This match is on the red button, or on the iplayer mate.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Where are you all watching this? Thought it was on the bbcor is that only the England games?

Freeview 601 (red button)

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Geez so far Canada's looking a bit nervous they are usually very fluid. Hopefully they will settle in.

These Lionesses have a good defense but the Canadians keep over playing.


I've made £120 so far in this WC just betting on corners.

Good header that.

[Bobinhood]

Feel almost sorry for Cameroon such a good half they played. Canada never got out of second gear though, lots of effort but not much on until that goal.

[Barneylfc∗]

These Lionesses have a good defense but the Canadians keep over playing.


I've made £120 so far in this WC just betting on corners.

Good header that.

I was a booking away from £6k in the England game. Devastating seeing a foul near the end by a Scotland player and the ref not giving what I thought was a blatant booking.

[kellan]

New Zealand v Netherlands just about to get underway https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/47180344

[FaitAccompli]

I'm expecting the Netherlands to do well this tournament: they have one of the strongest front lines, I think. Hoping for lots of goals in this game!

[TheShanklyGates]

The quality of attacking play these last few games has been desperately poor.

[PhaseOfPlay]

The quality of attacking play these last few games has been desperately poor.

I think it's partly to do with women's football defending getting more tactical and sophisticated in the past 4 years. Less man-marking, more compactness, and better defensive mobility.

But also decisions in the attack have been less than optimal.

[FaitAccompli]

The quality of attacking play these last few games has been desperately poor.

Two out of three of New Zealand's chances have been excellent strikes, but yeah their other chance and one of the Netherlands' chances have been snatches at shots that they could/should have done much better with.

As PoP says though, and as you could see last night with Cameroon, the emphasis seems to have been on building a solid defensive foundation first, for many teams. Many of the 'better' teams are finding fewer pockets of space in and around the box, and as we (LFC) found this season, it's sometimes very difficult to break the lines.

[PhaseOfPlay]

On the balance of play, probably slightly deserved, but NZ can feel aggrieved that their defensive work didn't pay off.

Probably a bit of keeper error in there as well. 

[TheShanklyGates]

Tony Pulis would be proud of that winner

[PhaseOfPlay]

Tony Pulis would be proud of that winner

[RainbowFlick]

What are the best attacking teams "on paper"?

I've watched a few games now and it's not been bad at all. Fairly enjoyable. Just not been much of a thrill in any of the games. Maybe just lack of atmosphere.

Did like China trying their best Stoke impression the other day.

[afc tukrish]

How did Van de Sanden play?

Saw the Dutch play the US in a friendly a few years ago, and she had ridiculously serious jets...

[kellan]

How did Van de Sanden play?

Saw the Dutch play the US in a friendly a few years ago, and she had ridiculously serious jets...

I couldn't concentrate on her football. I was too busy marvelling at her leopard print hair.

But I think cheetah would have been more apt.

[24/7]

I couldn't concentrate on her football. I was too busy marvelling at her leopard print hair.

But I think cheetah would have been more apt.

Oh you

[Hazell]

What a goal for Sweden!

[FaitAccompli]

Ok so I jinxed it a bit earlier, but the next game should provide a few goals!

[Kopout]

is a midget in goal for thailand?

[Ray K]

is a midget in goal for thailand?

Still couldn't get down in time to stop that goal.

[FaitAccompli]

Still couldn't get down in time to stop that goal.

Got down ok for it, but not strong enough to push it out or round the post.

[sinnermichael]

I reckon even Man United could give this Thailand women's team a game.

[Gerry Attrick]

I think I’ll wait until the knockout stages to watch any more games. The games over the last couple of days have been beyond dreadful.

[stoopid yank]

I reckon even Man United could give this Thailand women's team a game.

They are really bad, I feel for them. Not a fair contest at all. 6-0 now

[TheShanklyGates]

Fucking hell Thailand. This is cruel.

[FaitAccompli]

Going to end up a cricket score this.

[jameslfc1997]

What I wanna know is who did Thailand beat to get here

[FaitAccompli]

What I wanna know is who did Thailand beat to get here

The Asian Cup acts as the qualification for the World Cup - it's an 8 team tournament and the top 5 qualify for the WC. Thailand came third, I think they beat the Philippines and Jordan.

[Ray K]

These lot are so bad that Everton have just arranged a pre-season friendly against them.