2011 Women's World Cup Match 26 09-July-2011 18:00 Leverkusen BayArena England vs. France History: 2 English wins 5 Draws 5 French wins 11:11 goals Most recent form: England: WWDLW France: LWWWW PS: Anyone knows where I can find this logo in a better resolution (just the logo with out the text)?
Re: Quarterfinal 2: Winners Group B - Runners-up Group A | 09.07.11 [R] Should be a decent game. I think England has a real chance.
Re: Quarterfinal 2: Winners Group B - Runners-up Group A | 09.07.11 [R] England do have a chance. The French CB's weren't able to defend set pieces against Germany, and Jill Scott/ E. White could do really well in that situation. The starting French keeper is out with a red card. England's defense > France. I think Smith, and Aluko are really spotty though. They often don't seem to work well together, or with anyone else. Forward is a problem for England- France is strong there. Lots of other good players on the England team. For me Jill and Alex Scott, Carney, Yankey, and Bardsley have been very good. I posted on another thread France seem to be greater than the sum of their parts, the opposite for England. This is really a subjective statement but put another way, I don't see England combining offensively or having multiple options in attack the way France do.
Re: Quarterfinal 2: Winners Group B - Runners-up Group A | 09.07.11 [R] keeper - france's back up has over 45 caps offense - france has good pace and speed like the african teams defense - england is slow outside of scott set pieces - equal after seeing france vs germany kelly smith - x factor. hasn't been on even in the wps this season. due for a big game? france too much offense when their full line up is on the field for 90 mins. good bye england.
Re: Quarterfinal 2: Winners Group B - Runners-up Group A | 09.07.11 [R] All I can say is look out for diagonal balls behind Unitt's back or through ball inside the center half from Necib/Thiney/Abily to Delie, they won't catch her up for pace.
Re: Quarterfinal 2: Winners Group B - Runners-up Group A | 09.07.11 [R] I have to agree, am still impressed by France. And not by England at all.
Re: Quarterfinal 2: Winners Group B - Runners-up Group A | 09.07.11 [R] I guess the Japanese were'nt impressed by them either.
Re: Quarterfinal 2: Winners Group B - Runners-up Group A | 09.07.11 [R] japan is impressed by any euro team. just check their record.
Re: Quarterfinal 2: Winners Group B - Runners-up Group A | 09.07.11 [R] Yet everyone was raving about them after they destroyed Mexico, at least until England took them to the cleaners.
Re: Quarterfinal 2: Winners Group B - Runners-up Group A | 09.07.11 [R] England took Mexico to the cleaners?!?
Very enticing match-up, this. England comes into the quarterfinals with momentum, while France are a bit on their heels after losing 4-2. One interesting trend this World Cup is that teams seem to fluctuate from game to game. France and Japan looked unstoppable, then lost. The U.S. was riding high, then ground to a halt against Sweden. The Swedes were looking anemic on offense, then went on to top the group. Germany and Brazil haven't dominated as many people expected. This unpredictability makes these quarterfinals very exciting. England need Kelly Smith to perform better than she has up until now. Her visible frustration after being subbed against Japan was telling (although I think she was upset at herself more than Birgit Prinz, who seemed angry at the coaching staff). England can take heart that they have advanced despite Smith being near invisible, but they'll need her against better teams. Karen Carney has been impressing me lately; she has ball skills and control that are on par with Smith. And Aluko has been more effective as a winger than the lone forward. I'm predicting 3-2 France.
England is the team france respect the most, cause the english (like us) plays an attack minded football,got technically gifted players,physically tough and they are fair like france.........French players have a true respect for english players like a.scott,yankey,williams and a kind of admiration for carney and smith....so we know the game will be not easy......but we even know than we have a more balanced team than them , we pass the ball better and our forwards are too pacy for their defense. The two teams knows each other from A to Z ,the players knows each others from A to Z....it will be a battle but a nice one with two entertaining teams but i think we will win with 1 or 2 goals difference
I think this game will be the closest of the quarterfinals as I see these two as the most evenly matched pair. Will K. Smith raise her level for this game? How will the slower English defense deal w/ the very fast French forwards and quality midfield passing? Will Powell keep Asante in the lineup (perhaps even moving her to the backline)? I'm looking forward to watching.
I think if nothing unusual happens like early injury/red card/penalty, we will be beating England very easily. Both team will score IMO because England have quality forwards but their defense is really the weakest link. 3-1 or 4-2 for me
I like the way this French team has been playing...Bonne chance! Looks like is going to be an exciting match...
And we'll be watching along with (hopefully) millions in England. The BBC has announced an about-face and will now broadcast the quarter-final against France. From the Guardian:
I agree with most that this will be a very interesting matchup. France's speed and technical skills against England's size, strength, and grittiness. Kelly Smith has to get more involved for England to win IMO. England cannot afford to waste set piece opportunities and they need to test Deville as often as possible. I see England having huge problems with Delie and Thomis and their speed. Necib vs. Alex Scott could be one of the best matchups we'll see. I've got to believe that Ellen White starts over Aluko for this match. This should be close.
The big lineup question for Hope Powell is a recurring theme in this World Cup - play your veteran or start her on the bench. In this case I'm not talking about Kelly Smith but captain Faye White. The England defense looked much better against the best team they played by starting with Sophie Bradley in place of their longtime backline anchor. Styles make fights and this should be one of the best. These teams are well-matched overall but with dynamic imbalances all over the pitch and individual players capable of stunning moments.
For those who are sick of the ESPN commentators....le match en francaise sur europsport http://www.ustream.tv/channel/footplus52
00' 0-0 #12 Karen Carney chips from just past midfield wide right, footrace to box top right -- France's keeper comes all the way out, loses the race, #10 Kelly Smith rounds her! Chases her own final touch wide to 7m midway between 6-right and box right, shot toward empty net blocked over by her defender. Good morning
03' 0-0 France press to center circle left, England foul, ref plays advantage. #17 Gaetane Thiney switches to #10 Camille Abily at 35m arc right, she touches to 30m with nobody around her, lifts a high flat shot that #1 Karen Bardsley tracks with interest -- just 2 diameters over the crossbar. 05' 0-0 #8 Fara Williams slides through #17 Gaetane Thiney's shins in center circle. Yellow card on Williams already.