tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post5025946313492386290..comments2023-11-05T03:31:19.545-08:00Comments on Sideline Views: Women's World Cup Final - USA v Japan, Running blog commentaryA.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03617669285297119500noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-47517391242088478002011-07-19T05:47:58.171-07:002011-07-19T05:47:58.171-07:00In all of the games I have coached, played in and ...In all of the games I have coached, played in and watched if a team has many early scoring opportunities and doesn't cash in, it always comes back to haunt you. It seems to me there is almost no exception to this element of soccer. I was pleasantly surprised to see the US playing the possession game they had been talking about finally in the Final. It lead to more scoring opportunities and a pretty huge difference in possession, especially in the first half. The failure to finish early in the game really came back to haunt the US because this is a game they could have dominated in the score line. But my hat is off to the Japanese ladies. They deserved the title. There was no shame in the loss by the US. I really enjoyed watching them play during this tournament (even when I was getting frustrated with all of the long ball earlier in the tournament).dcboy60noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-19278758036959418072011-07-18T11:26:45.494-07:002011-07-18T11:26:45.494-07:00You know, I think it's time to give Japan cred...You know, I think it's time to give Japan credit. The Japanese are technically superior. They play a possession style that the Americans have yet to embrace. They withstood massive pressure in the first 30 minutes and didn't crumble. They were far, far more composed, emotionally. Their goalkeeper had a great game. Their defensive back four was far most composed than their American counterparts. <br /><br />We can talk about officiating mistakes until Jesus comes. But the fact of the matter is that <i>the better team won.</i> World-class teams don't engage in the type of Mack Sennett play that led to Japan's first goal.Joseph D'Hippolitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15571554907399914529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-60148289226238086532011-07-18T01:36:35.608-07:002011-07-18T01:36:35.608-07:00I think it was called off side.I think it was called off side.SPA2TACU5https://www.blogger.com/profile/08660587585955140737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-33696707882363503912011-07-17T15:42:39.678-07:002011-07-17T15:42:39.678-07:00It would have led to a corner kick, to a scoring o...It would have led to a corner kick, to a scoring opportunity with only minutes remaining in the match.<br /><br />Oh well, that's sport. I'm happy for Japan- they really needed this.<br /><br />I hope you've been watching the Tour de France this year, it's been awesome ! <br /><br />( replays every night on Versus )Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-53219703932016594412011-07-17T15:27:58.560-07:002011-07-17T15:27:58.560-07:00You're right, it seemed a bad call, but as it ...You're right, it seemed a bad call, but as it happens, I was looking down to blog and missed the replay that might have shown it was definitely a bad call. But who the ball goes off on is often a blown call and doesn't usually affect the overall outcome of a match.A.C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03617669285297119500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-8054118528901976692011-07-17T15:24:52.831-07:002011-07-17T15:24:52.831-07:00"Heath tries to follow but her shot is blocke..."Heath tries to follow but her shot is blocked out."<br /><br />That shot went off the Japanese player for a Corner. But the Ref called goalkick. Announcers didn't make a peep as to it being a bad call. WTF??<br /><br />Did you miss that? No mention of it when you blogged about the play.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com