why is that the US are coming in at #1 would draw a #2 group team in the R16 instead of a #3? as for Germany; they were a disaster under Stefi Jones. Their interim coach went unbeaten in 9 games, including an away win in Canada(something Ellis hasn't managed to do in her last couple of outings in CA) despite missing several big names of the German squad(Marozsan, Popp, Dallmann) can;t vouch how well their new coach will do(she goes by the initials MVT) but at least she's got has some experience coaching the Swiss NT(Stefi had previously ZERO experience)
Two things: First, it's a random draw in the first place, so there's no preference at all as to whether the #1 team would expect to see the #2 or the #3 team in the knockouts. Second, the top seed in any group isn't expected to see another seed at all in the R16. I predicated that post saying that Germany would need to struggle, i.e. get 2nd in their group instead of 1st, to set up the situation I described. So it would be more akin to saying that the #1 team was "expecting" to see the #12 (Spain) or #15 (China) team, not the #2 team, in the R16. In that case, you might ask "well, why isn't the #1 team expecting to see the #16 team?" And, again, it's a semi-random draw after the entirely random first pot. There is no "expectation".
the fall out continues on the shock sacking of Matildas coach, Staj, as now the assistant coach quit as well as some of the players showing their dismay Stajcic fallout: Matildas assistant coach quits - FTBL | The home of football in Australia - The Women's Game - For the love of the game this leaves only 3 coaches with prior WC experience(Ellis, Vadeo & the South Korean coach) it's leaves also zero coaches left that have beaten Ellis in the past couple of years(as Sampson, Echouafni, & now, Staj, been fired) coincidence?(or is Ellis part of the Illuminate?) you decide!
Full article "Much of that has to do with the development of a toxic culture within the team. Following the PFA's review, a damning report undertaken by Our Watch, an organisation tackling abuse and violence of women, alleged incidents that bordered on harassment. It is understood it flagged cases of bullying, intimidation, retribution and even body shaming towards some younger players and even suggestions of flippant homophobic insults regularly made by unspecified staff members." "While the FFA did not say Stajcic was directly responsible for any such behaviour, it deemed that, as head coach, he was ultimately responsible."
here's an newer report that suggested no physical or sexual improprieties happened Alen Stajcic, Matildas coach, sacked after quarter of players revealed they were afraid to ask for help - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) but just a few weeks back, at the FC Sydney/club level, Lisa Devanna called out an team mate "you fat b......" while in a game. She was quietly suspended for one game.So you know it can happen & got the feeling the more elite players can get away with stuff like that as compared with the 120 that took the damaging survey
This is interesting as it seemed like Germany had fallen behind in the last couple of years. They used to be a steady top4 contender but this time I guess they are a tossup.
From the #NWSL to the #CWSL? Word reaching @JWsports1 is that the African trio of 🇿🇦@KgatlanaJnr11, 🇿🇦@MaserameLinda & 🇬🇭@AmaPele10 are heading to the Chinese League. The trio suited up in the American League in 2018. #AfricansAbroad pic.twitter.com/Qjk7pKUuvJ— JWsports1 ⚽️ (@JWsports1) February 5, 2019 Intresting move...and possibly bizzare... 1. CWSL's buying 2 South African stars. 2. So far the word is that CWSL is on pause till after WWC 3. 2 South African's are left with no competitive club football to play for the next 5 months 4. China NT is in group with South Africa. 5. During last 2 months China NT had played something like 15 matches and will easy schedule same number before WWC to prepare their players. I do seriously doubt that SA FA has resources to do the same. If the deal will happen and info about CWSL late start is true, China just bought out some opposition. (Reminder: Oshoala went on loan to Barca from CWSL - probably in order to get playing time before WWC)