China has taken a minimalist approach to this tournament. Three of the eight teams going home scored as many or more goals than China. Just one goal will not cut it in this game against the Canadians.
Wisdom vs. Wattage - China's Vets Go Head to Head with Canada's Young Hotshots by Inge Bond http://www.cybersoccernews.com/Women's World Cup/secondrounds/031001chi-canadv.shtml New defender Hooper leads Canada against China We all regard China as a great team,” Pellerud continued. “They are a terrible team to play against, because you never get the ball. They keep the ball as long as they want, with their skill and technique. We need to stay very patient and organized and hopefully we can get the ball against all that.” http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/030930/1/b4k.html
article http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/Sports/2003/10/01/213759.html Canada is the youngest team left in the World Cup. "I worked it out,'' coach Even Pellerud said. "I took all the starting lineups. Our average age is 23 and that includes (veterans) Charmaine Hooper and Andrea Neil,'' he said . "Russia is 30. China is 28. The Germans are old. The Americans are getting up there. "Our average age isn't going to be anywhere near 28 at the next World Cup or at the next two Olympics.''
It was announced on the Brasil/Sweden TV broadcast that Brasil has an average age of 22, and was also mentioned that they were the youngest team left in the WWC.
Canada is going to win this game. Either 2-1 or on PKs after a 1-1 draw. Of course, I also thought Brazil would beat Sweden. But I think the Canadians have been improving throughout this tournament, and China is not what it was in '99.
PREDICTIONS: Sinclair will score in the first 10 minutes. China will possess the ball 60 percent of the time. China will score one goal. Charmaine Hooper will take a dive. Charmaine Hooper will get a yellow card. Someone will get fouled in the penalty area and get awarded a PK. The team that takes it and makes it will win the game.
China gets taken to the woodshed; the Canadians are just too strong offensively (Sinclair, Lang, Latham). 3-1 Canada. China gets exposed once and for all as the team that did its best stuff on the Adidas commercial. Paul
From what I gather Pellerud has not changed his insistence on playing Hooper at defense. If that continues the Chinese will win the game. There is no one on Canada's team that can create a goal against the kind of defense China puts up. The other forwards Canada has are very good to great but they MUST be set up or get a lucky rebound against a tight defense. Pellerud has been a brilliant coach first for Norway and now for Canada but this is a mistake at this level. Taking your best forward and limiting her touches around goal is the same as spotting China a goal, or maybe two, out of the box. I hope I am wrong as I picked Canada to win but the more I think about it the less chance I see for Canada if Hooper plays defense. My current thought is 3-1 China.
I disagree. Hooper is a great forward, but she creates her chances (most of the time) with brute force, and she's not that quick. Latham is almost the same. Lang and Sinclair bring finess and quickness to the mix, and I think the speed they bring will be effective. Besides, a strong defensive game is what's going to bring it home for us. That means Hoop on the backline. Hvaing her backl there roughing up the chinese forwards will work more to our advange then not having her back there. In reality, no matter what line she'll be on, the other will be missing her presence. You ahve to choose the lesser of the two evils.
After watching the Russian sleep walk against Germany and having seen the China vs Russia game and seeing that China has been completly non-dominate in the group of rec soccer, except for defense, I now believe that the game may be still in PKs this time tomorow. But maybe Canada will get one or two and we can get some sleep tonight. If China could not put up at least 4 against Russia they sure will not get more than 2 against the MUCH better defense of Canada.
Lineups: China: Ha Li Fan Zhao Bai Sun Liu Pu Bi Liu Wang Canada: Swiatek Latham Neil Nonen Morneau (Go Izzy!) Hooper Sinclair Matheson Lang Timko Dennis (Good name)
Omi god! Canada looking great - numerous offensive chances, Goal! Hooper rocks, beating the goalkeeper to a ball for a delicious header that pops right in.
It's funny to hear all the Chinese names pronounced with a heavy Spanish accent. Morneau is out - leg injury. Might hurt Canada later - to have to make such an early sub.
China mounting a furious attack - five players in the box - a header just goes wide - announcer says China has found their "ritmo". And Canada back to other way - keeper saves a hard, but straight to her shot. This game is great so far!
Going on record now, with Canada up 1-0 (the 18th minute) that the ref and linesmen are going to *#*#*#*# Canada in this one. The game could not have been called more one-way to this point.
Forgive me for not following Canada, but why isn't LeBlanc in goal? Is she hurt or is Swiatek just playing better than Karina?
Karina got shelled by Germany. Swiatek came in for the next match and has given Even no reason not to play her. Stick with the hot hand. I love KK, but have to side with Even on this move. Taryn has played huge.
sniff sniff ... so tough for me to see izzy go down so early in the game, but the only "positive" thing about this is that she was back on her feet and gave it a go for awhile...just couldn't keep going. so it's not a serious injury (i hope) ... esp since the left knee has been a problem for izzy in the past. other than that ... canada looks strong ... we're chasing the ball a lot now and hopefully our defense will stay strong. WAR CANADA!!! WAR IZZY!!! elaine
Thanks nsa. Canada looks really good, they played very well, I hope they can win this one. I know a current Florida Gator who would be very happy if they did.