With old Beleza friends. They couldn't be at the match on the pitch, but they didn't want to miss that on the standings... Titus, do you have any idea about why your link doesn't work for me? Probably geo-blocked, since it didn't work for Lechus7, also in Europe? Or my PC is missing some kind of software to make it work?
I'm watching from Malaysia. So you may try to use a China or Malaysia proxy to access it. I also disable my ad-block software. Good luck.
Aaaah... now that I missed that live, I missed everything! No need to try to fix the streaming-link now! It looks like a script: Sawa scoring in her last game to win her last cup... Did the team-mates give the impression to want Sawa to score (often passing to her, etc.)? Or it was her, with her character, who wanted to leave her signing on the match at all costs? Does it look like Albi are ok with the "script" or are they try to change it around?
The CK couldn't be from the usual suspect Miyama, this time. Was it Nakajima or Kawasumi? I would be interested to know who made the assist for the last goal in Homare Sawa's career...
That's the kind of figures Homare Sawa deserves. And she's not disappointing who came to watch the last show! I guess INAC didn't see this kind of attendance since the post-WWC 2011 days, am I right? It's moving that so many people came by to say farewell to the best champion in history of Japanese football (men's or women's). Sniff.
I suppose the game has ended right now? INAC won at least a trophy this season and poor Albi missed their chance once again? I'll sure rewatch the match later on JFA-TV... I hope they're going to include the award ceremony, that's surely going on right now (including, I guess, a speech from Homare).
Ok, I had anticipated that by a minute. I can just imagine the utter joy of Sawa, and of other old champions too who had a disappointing season so far (all of the 2011 veterans: Kaihori, Kinga, Sameshima, Kawasumi, Ohno...). Go INAC!
Leave Sawa free to head a ball in the box, and you won't be forgiven. Oh, wait: this warning belongs to the past, right now...
What a beautiful ending 澤穂希選手 現役最後の試合 ゴール優勝で締めくくり最高のチームメイト・スタッフに胴上げされ 有終の美を飾った #皇后杯 #澤穂希 #INAC神戸 pic.twitter.com/kiDji5MWOi— 月間蹴球(ゲッカンシュウキュウ) (@nazokakefun) December 27, 2015 INACおめでとう🎉#皇后杯 pic.twitter.com/uHC30il0i9— Akira-KFKBT (@akira111116) December 27, 2015
I notice that, at 32', Corner Kicks' count was 8-0 for INAC: this seems to suggest that, even before the goal, INAC's dominance of the game was quite clear? In fact this version is more complete, Titus Sol: thanks! I like the detail of how Sawa adjusts her ponytail just before the CK, walking around the box like it's no-one business, and then... rowr! suddenly turns into lioness and scores! I guess the way she misled opponents on set-pieces is one how the many features that made her unique as a player: she knew how to look totally harmless, and then, a second after, she had scored and puzzled DFs were still wondering how it happened. Buheler in WWC 2011's final knows something about it. I see Takase on the bench at 0'33" of the video: who replaced her, during the game? Miki Ito? Also, is the serious looking guy that was shown at 0':45" Homare Sawa's husband?
Well, he sure knows how to control his emotions... I guess everyone else in the stadium was jumping around in joy to celebrate his wife's goal...
I'm watching the match right now on delayed broadcast through TV Japan. 1st half was carried mostly by INAC with many CK chances. Emi #7 had 2 good chances but Niigata defence is pretty solid. Sameshima is over lapping every opportunity as is Kinga. Kamio is also playing well too.
Commentator s mentioned that 9 starting INAC have NT experience. Only Miki Ito and Junko Kai, not played for NT.
End of an era. She wasn't my kind of player, but for this woman the word legend doesn't even do her justice. And she just writes her own scripts, winning the Cup on her last game while scoring the deciding goal. A fitting end to her amazing career. The Queen: (or should I say the Empress?) The game was a bit boring to be honest, the teams kinda negated each other, but Inac was certainly better overall. I expected Albi to press a bit more for the equalizer. As for the whole tournament, mixed feelings. It was weird rooting for Inac (and I hope Albi will get another chance soon, it must be hard losing for the third time). I wanted to see some certain young players raise their game, but it didn't happen. I don't know how Sasaki will feel seeing the veterans stepping up again. Best player of the tournament for me was M.Ito (Kawasumi being close), she's come a long way this girl. And obviously I have to give credit to Inac's defence/gk, they were almost perfect throughout, not conceding a single goal.