World Cup 2011

[Unnamed Trialist]

Equatorial Guinea was a Spanish colony, so it is possible that some Spanish influence is there, even Spanish-Guineans on the team. Have no confirmation of that though, just a thought about why they might have done so well.

[Vic]

Quotations below from http://www.kickoff.com/news/18771/sa...na-banyana.php:

But it is not just Simpore who is a controversial member of the side. Banyana will be up against women from Brazil, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Senegal, all fast-tracked as Equatorial Guinea citizens.

FIFA brought in regulations several years ago that is supposed to stop countries handing passports to ‘bought’ players. Instead, players who seek to play for countries other than their own must prove they have blood ties to their new country or must serve a three-year residency period.

But Equatorial Guinea are flying in Brazilians and west Africans to do their dirty work, making them citizens, and the country has gone from being one of the minnows of African football to real contenders in the women's game in just a few years.

Salimata Simpore (standing):

[Vic]

The final 16 is almost complete. Sorted by ranking as it is used to determine who goes in the seeded pots:

QUALIFIED TEAMS (13):
#2 - Germany - Host
#4 - Sweden - UEFA 1 (No playdowns, FIFA ranking)
#5 - Japan - AFC 3
#6 - Korea DPR - AFC 2
#7 - Norway - UEFA 2 (No playdowns, FIFA ranking)
#8 - France - UEFA 3 (No playdowns, FIFA ranking)
#9 - England - UEFA 4 (No playdowns, FIFA ranking)
#11 (tied) - Australia - AFC 1
#13 - Canada - CONCACAF 1
#22 - Mexico - CONCACAF 2
#24 - New Zealand - OFC
#27 - Nigeria - CAF 2
#70 - Equatorial Guinea - CAF 1

CONCACAF 3 vs. UEFA 5 PLAYOFF (1):
#1 - USA v. #11 (tied) Italy
November 20/27

CONMEBOL (2)
-final group is live and concludes on November 21:

#3 - Brazil
#28 - Argentina
#37 - Columbia
#51 - Chile

Games from Day 1:
Chile 1 -1 Colombia
Brazil 4-0 Argentina

* If Brazil and the Americans qualify as expected, the #10 Danes are the only ones in the Top 10 who did not qualify and that is a result of only 4.5 out of UEFA. The ranking system may have it's flaws, but this time it's pretty accurate.

[Vic]

USA 1 - 0 Italy. Goal in added time. Second leg is Chicago next Saturday.

[CoachRich]

^

Hmmm, Not much in the way of goals. I wonder if the USA is playing the role of sleeping giant now.

This is aggregate goals right?

Cheers,

[paul-collins]

Are there likely to be any streams of the Chicago leg?

[terpfan68]

Here is what the New York Times said about the match:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/sp...html?src=twrhp

[Vic]

I haven't checked but the UEFA playoffs that Italy came out of were head-to-head and away goals worth more, so this series is likely away goals also meaning 2-1 Italy in Chicago puts them through.

Not sure but good chance someone will justin.tv it.

Word from people who watched the game is Italy defended and played for the draw. Which worked for 94 minutes, not 95.

Statistical Summary: USA / ITA
Shots: 19 / 6
Shots on Goal: 11 / 3
Saves: 3 / 6
Corner Kicks: 5 / 3
Fouls: 18 / 11
Offside: 5 / 2

You don't see this one often:

Lineups:
USA: 18-Nicole Barnhart; 2-Heather Mitts (16-Ali Krieger 75), 6-Amy LePeilbet, 3-Christie Rampone (capt.), 4-Rachel Buehler; 9-Heather O’Reilly (12-Lauren Cheney, 62), 7-Shannon Boxx, 10-Carli Lloyd, 15-Megan Rapinoe; 8-Amy Rodriguez (5-Alex Morgan, 86), 17-Abby Wambach
Subs not used: 1-Jill Loyden, 11-Lori Lindsey, 13-Kristine Lilly, 14-Stephanie Cox

Misconduct Summary:
ITA – Marta Carissimi (caution) 51st minute
ITA – Giulia Domenichetti (caution) 83
USA – Lori Lindsey (caution) 88

[socceronly]

So... who is going?

Anyone?

I am planning to go I really like Holland.

[Vic]

QUALIFIED TEAMS (13):
#2 - Germany - Host
#3 - Brazil
#4 - Sweden - UEFA 1 (No playdowns, FIFA ranking)
#5 - Japan - AFC 3
#6 - Korea DPR - AFC 2
#7 - Norway - UEFA 2 (No playdowns, FIFA ranking)
#8 - France - UEFA 3 (No playdowns, FIFA ranking)
#9 - England - UEFA 4 (No playdowns, FIFA ranking)
#11 (tied) - Australia - AFC 1
#13 - Canada - CONCACAF 1
#22 - Mexico - CONCACAF 2
#24 - New Zealand - OFC
#27 - Nigeria - CAF 2
#37 - Columbia
#70 - Equatorial Guinea - CAF 1

CONCACAF 3 vs. UEFA 5 PLAYOFF (1):
#1 - USA v. #11 (tied) Italy
November 20: USA 1 - 0 Italy
November 27:

* If the Americans qualify as expected, the #10 Danes are the only ones in the Top 10 who did not qualify and that is a result of only 4.5 out of UEFA. The ranking system may have it's flaws, but this time it's pretty accurate.