Who's going to watch an afternoon match? I already finish work for today and I am ready for the second match-day at the WWC. Germany-China going to start in 20 minutes: will Germany look as impressive as France? China is an Asian team as South Korea, but I expect them to be a tougher match for Germany than South Korea was for France (although I also expect Germany to somehow break through in the end). Please, feel free to start commenting.
Ok: I assume everyone still at work or no-one interested. The game just started: I'll let you know if relevant things happen, guys: stay tuned!
Middle-range shot from Däbritz at 2':30". Just wide. Germany tries to get in control of the game in these first minutes.
I think Germany will win this match. Lots of people seem to think that Germany will go close to winning the tournament. But based on their match against Japan last month they did not seem that good. I am curious to see how they play.
That was worth a yellow card. Apparently that same player was sent off the last time these teams played. At the olympics.
Yellow Card to Wang Shang Shang for a late tackle on Maroszan: quite well deserved and a warning that chasing the best technical player of the opponent team is not allowed at this World Cup.
HOW. ON. EARTH. CHINA. MISSED. THIS. GOAL? Sorry for the caps, but it was egregious: China should have scored from a counter-attack action. Anyway, It's obvious already that we're not watching a repeat of France-South Korea for sure.
14' 0-0 Germany catastrophic square pass to circle back, directly to Wang Shanshan(?) for an instant 3-v-3 counter. Early forward pass to Gu Yasha, ahead of 3 through box top center. Schult comes out in a low crouch and creates doubt, Gu slows down so much that all 3 defenders overtake her. Square pass right to Li Yang momentarily open at 10m 6-right, Li stutter-steps yet another half-beat and shoots right foot toward right post, blocked wide right into side netting. Good recovery by Germany, but the difference in foot speed was a bit shocking. 20' 0-0 Simon launches a long forward cross from 25m mid-left to 4m 3-right, Peng Shimeng comes out but arrives late and low. Popp outjumps behind 1, leans so far for a header that she does a Fosbury over Peng, soft pop-up onto the roof -- and then she trips backward over Peng and lands flat. Brief stoppage: Popp is down, holding left ankle? 23' 0-0 Popp has returned, gets upended at circle left by a slide-tackle onto that gimpy ankle. 24' 0-0 Endless Germany pressure in China's box, 4th corner kick already.
Germany likes to live dangerously, playing GK Schult very high as they did with Japan two months ago: they could be punished the same way they were back then.
Chinese GK chose very badly the time for coming off here, but Popp's header was over the crossbar. Popp subsequently injured.
Horrendously wrong header by one of Chinese CBs costs China a dangerous shot by Huth, just over the crossbar. Germany dominate possession and it's more dangerous, but China look fully in the game.
Ok, my streaming just died. I guess it will happen quite often in this WWC. I'll rely on your comments as much as you relied on mine earlier...
The Chinese have always been a pretty rough team. I think it really helps them against the European teams. I mean they will probably get somebody sent off, but it does put a bit of doubt in their opponent's mind.
I'm just surprised that was not a yellow card. It was about as needless as it can be for a foul by the Chinese midfielder.