2016 Olympic Women's Soccer--General discussion

When do they make the draw?

 

April 14th.

 

This is a pretty significant experimental change. I'm surprised no one has posted it yet. Anyway, I posted it in 2 different threads, just in case I'm posting to the wrong thread.

http://equalizersoccer.com/2016/03/18/friday-roundup-fourth-sub-for-extra-time/
FIFA on Friday approved anexperimental measure to allow a fourth substitutefor each team when a match extends into extra time. The new rule will apply to all FIFA tournaments beginning June 1. Theaffected women’s torunaments will be the Olympic Games at [I think they mean to say AND] the U-20 World Cup. The rule could become a permanent mandate from FIFA or be dropped after 2016.

Experiment to allow a 4th substitute if a game goes to extra time to feature at Rio Olympic football tournaments this summer, say Fifa.

— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) March 18, 2016

The measure figures to not only help keep one fresher player on the pitch during the most grueling moments of important matches, but also to aid teams attempting to rally from behind. Teams that are trailing often use up their substitutions earlier leaving them without any tactical or fitness related substitutes in the event they are able to force extra time.

 

Nice change!

 

Wow, that's major.

 

The pots:

Pot 1- Brazil, USA, Germany
Pot 2- France, Sweden, Australia
Pot 3- Canada, China, New Zealand
Pot 4- Colombia, South Africa, Zimbabwe

My draw:

Group E- Brazil, Sweden, New Zealand, Zimbabwe
Group F- Germany, Australia, Canada, South Africa
Group G- USA, France, China, Colombia

 

I am hoping for Brazil, France, New Zealand and Zimbabwe

 

don't see why New Zealand should go in; at the last men's WC , they won their ultra weak confederation, but still had to play Mexico in a final wild card playoff spot(which they promptly got slaughtered). Just watched NZ's woso game vs Netherlands and they really had nothing to offer(I believe all 4 teams of the recent Euro Olympic last spot qualifiers are better)

 

This is a world tournament. That means each confederation gets at least one spot. Don't compare the women's game to the men's game.

 

It's not the "every confed gets one spot" - as hotjam2 pointed out, it's not the case in the MWC, and I agree it's a fair comparison in this case. However, on the women's side, NZL is much stronger in the big picture - consistently in the top 20, so it makes more sense to allot a whole spot to OFC in the women's game than it does in the men's game. I'm not sure I agree that all four of the Olympic bubble teams in UEFA are all stronger than NZL, but even if they were I think it'd be a moot point since UEFA already has enough representation - if OFC were going to have a playoff at all, it'd be against a weaker confed.

 

During the game today the announcer said that almost certainly Australia will go/will have to go into the German group.

 

It's not almost. It's definite. Australia will be drawn into a group with Germany. Germany can't be drawn with France and Sweden, so it's Australia.

 

USA will get stuck with Sweden, China, and Colombia

 

I would think there's at least 8 Euro teams(if you include England & Iceland, who best them for 3rd place in the Algarve Cup) that are better than NZ. Consider that even last place Switzerland was able to get a win in a tightly contested tourney. That the Dutch gave up 8 goals in 3 games, yet in their friendly couple of days ago weren't not once seriously challenged. Here's highlights, it's painful to watch, knowing the team that's so much more superior isn't the one going to the Olympics! And NZ can't use that 'jet lag' excuse, since more than half of them play pro in Europe.

 

I see this as well. The draw seems predictable expect for the final pot(Zimbabwe, South Africa & Colombia). Here's mine:
GROUP E: Brazil, France, New Zealand, Zimbabwe
GROUP F: Germany, Australia, Canada, South Africa
GROUP G: USA, Sweden, China, Colombia

 

may Australia and NZ in the same group？

 

Why not? According to FIFA Australia is in full Asia, guys. Don't you here Aussie fans scream from the standings, during matches? "Go, Asia!"

 

sometimes when being beaten by NZ, we say "Go Australasia ";

I'm hoping for a Group of:
Germany / Matildas / New Zealand / South Africa.

Then USA in the quarterfinals and BEAT THEM !!!

 

I'm just glad USA can't get stuck with Sweden (or France), Australia, and Colombia/New Zealand. That would be hellish. FIFA ratings matter!

 

Rio draw here we come!!!

Ab nach Rio zur Auslosung! ✌ #Vorfreude #WirfuerD #Olympia #U21 #DFBFrauen @Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/QjOVzVoyd0

— DFB-Junioren (@DFB_Junioren) April 13, 2016

 

Group E
E1 Brazil
E2 China
E3 Sweden
E4 South Africa

Group F
F1 Canada
F2 Australia
F3 Zimbabwe
F4 Germany

Group G
G1 USA
G2 New Zealand
G3 France
G4 Colombia

 

I like this draw for the USA; at least the USA doesn't get stuck with Sweden again in the group stage.

Brazil, Sweden, China AND Germany, Canada, Australia. Wow! Some good matches there.
It'll be interesting to see who advances out of those 2 groups, with Germany and Brazil being favored.

 

My question is which groups play who in knockouts?