The third place game will be the United States playing Australia on 5 August 2021 at 5 pm local time in Kashima Stadium. Like before, I'll let you all figure out (and possibly post here to help others) when and where the game is broadcast in your area of the world. Australia will be missing Ellie Carpenter who received a red card in the last match.
I guess this will be a major hit for Aussies. Carpenter was a key-piece of their defensive and offensive game. On the other hand, she basically asked for it, with that foul: her mind was sure clouded at that moment in the game, but she should have better pondered the difference between a potential 2-0 for Sweden at 90'+5' (basically meaningless) and missing the Bronze match (an actual medal match, although of a different metal!) I will probably miss the match, because I am going to have a trip on that day. If it will be even remotely close to the USA-Australia game we've seen at group stage, though, I won't regret missing it.
Referee Crew: R: FORTUNATO Laura (ARG) AR1: de ALMEIDA Mariana (ARG) AR2: BLANCO Mary (COL) 4O: FRAPPART Stephanie (FRA)
Wow, I had posted this 45' minutes ago in the wrong thread (the semifinal one) : Anyway, Rapinoe scored at 8' from a direct CK (awarded after Australian GK had made a wonderful save of a Press' shot). Looks like US could win at least the bronze, after all. But do we know that this Australia team doesn't give up until the end (I hope).
I wonder if Kerr's shot was on target or that was going wide on the original strike. Either way, Franch played that one very poorly in goal for the US.
Well, it looks we have a game again. I am anyway worried that Polkinghorne, played as a Right-Back to make up for Carpenter suspension, is a disaster waiting to happen...
Another good shot from Kerr, this time and header that was well saved. Looks like she's on fire, today.
Another mess by Australia (that was Polkinghorne) and then Rapinoe strikes another worldie. USA 2-1 Australia.
Polkinghorne collaborated, but the final blunder was actually from Kennedy, another blunder-machine on her own merits. It's a shame Australia have a so awkward defense.
Australian defense likes to live dangerously! How do you backpass to your GK at about 1 meter from the goal-line, with opponent FWs lurking around?
The Australian defense is as bad as Barcelona's against Bayern Munich in the 2020 UEFA Champions league quarterfinal in the bubble. It's 3-1 right before halftime now. Going to sleep now.
Not looking good for us, although we have in this tournament performed much better than our recent International results going into it. We have a lot of work to do if we want to go well in the next world cup.
This last Lloyd's goal was actually a wonderful shot, but Australian defense leaves too much space to US FWs and often gives gifts away. Australia could maybe compete with US offensively, but not defensively. Despite their grit, I can't really see them come back from 1-3 in 2nd Half. It's shame, but I wouldn't mind seeing at least another Sam Kerr's goal anyway.
Our defence is really poor. USA should have got another there but no pass to a free attacker in the box.
Alana Kennedy is an actual disaster on legs. I assume they only keep in the team for the occasional header-goal from CK. She's now at two assists for the opponent team in this game. *facepalm* Maybe was it better to miss this game, like I originally had scheduled to do?
On the other hand, US defense isn't so much better than the Aussies' one: Foord scores the 2-4 goal. I want a second 4-4 score at these Olympics, after China-Zambia!
A question for you, @almango, who could probably be more in the know than me: I see now Australia subbing in three young 18-19 yo players (good prospects from next World Cup, I suppose), but what about Princess Ibini-Isei? She looked like one of the more interesting up-and-coming Aussie youngsters a few years ago, but I can't even see her in the Olympic roster. What did happen to her?
I did hope, after the honestly unexpected Gielnik's goal at 90', but no luck. I frankly would have given at least another additional minute for the time wasted with Morgan's injury after 90'. By the why, how much Morgan was on the pitch? Like 8-9 minutes?