40' VAR waves AUS PK shout. HT SWE 1-1 AUS. Not many chances beside the goals from both teams. Sweden was looking bit better in 1st half though
I am on a limited time on my domestic connection, so I'm going to save minutes for Japan-GB later, but man, how I hate the fact that I am missing most of today's games!
Looked like a penalty kick to me too -- and I'm not fond of penalty kicks. Australia looks a hell of a lot better in the first half against Sweden than did the U.S. Sweden isn't pressing as hard as they did against the U.S. This may be the year that Sam Kerr (finally) establishes herself as the best women's player in the world.
First, disclaimer: I'm only halfway watching. But, I'm pretty sure they did look at it on VAR (up in the booth); the referee just didn't an on-field review.
Sweden doesn't look like they're going to get shut out in any match this tournament. They certainly have the goal scorers to make their matches "must watch" TV.
On the NBCSN broadcast, the lead commentator tried to talk Kerr up based on her rep at the club level. Danielle Slaton with the true bomb: yeah, but you have to do it at the International level too. Edit: Sweden being too nice. They need a 5th goal.
🚨TEAM NEWS🚨We’ve arrived at Saitama Stadium and the starting XI is in!There’s two changes to the starting XI as Anna Leat comes in for Erin Nayler in goal and Daisy Cleverley for Anna Green#NZLvUSA#EarnTheFern#KoTatauTeKapaOAotearoa pic.twitter.com/Fl8sa59bT1— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) July 24, 2021
New Zealand keeper basically offered Lavelle most of the goal for that scoring opportunity. Got to be braver with your positioning.