spoiler space for N. Korea and Sweden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Actually, no. Technically both North Korea and Sweden could finish with 6 points. So even if the USA wins tonight, it could go to GD.
23:00 Nigeria is able to get some offense working, but are unable to create any good chances. USA might be playing a bit too much long-ball...
29:00 Bivens "with a few miscues" in last couple of minutes... Quick thowin by Parlow to Hamm, Mia crosses resulting in a collision in front of goal. Nigerian defender briefly injured...
Folks, We cannot get too confident. Remember last year Nigeria vs Brazil quater finals, I think. 1st half Nigeria looks HORRIBLE giving up three and if I remember correctly getting one back just before the half. Then in the second half it seemed like a different team and they leveled the game at three. Brazil eneded up winning on a Sisi free kick in OT. The three goals (and only a one goal loss) knocked Russia out of Olympic qualifying and got Nigeria in.
33:00 Stats show Nigeria with 51% of possesion... Short corner by Hamm results in turnover. Mia sprints back to stop the counterattack 35:00 Another USA corner. This time its crossed by Hamm to Parlow who's on-target header is deflected out... Another CK, and Hamm crosses too far.
43:00 USA putting the pressure on... Another US corner results in weak, but on-target, header by Foudy.
Half-time USA was in total control of the last ten minutes !!! Shannon Boxx had a great through pass to find K. Lilly about 44:00, but nothing came of it (other than a bruise for Lilly)... Sobrero and Bivens both have looked shaky at times. Joy Fawcett has been a rock, covering their mistakes and also getting into the attack. I thought Reddick had a good 1st-half. Parlow and Hamm are creating havoc down the right-wing...
THe US defense loks no different withot Brandi. Periods of brialiance and moments of walk-abouts. IT is good that the offence is usully potent or those moments would really hurt.
Nigeria kick-off to start 2nd-Half. Possesion and fouls stats even at haltime Aby Wambach on for Aly Wagner Mia Hamm corner results in nice chance by ??? Fawcett?? Another corner.... Goal Cindy Parlow !!! Excellent header
51:00 Nigeria trying to get something going on the left-side of the box. Reddick and Fawcett shut them down...
61:00 Akide makes a long-run down the left and crosses, good chance by Nigeria just wide. That's about the third nice run by Akide this game. Reddick has quite a battle on her hands...
63:00 Long cross by Mia on restart finds Boxx, whose strong header is about 5-yards wide. 60-seconds later, Shannon Boxx breaks up a midfield play with a nice tackle. 65:00 Lilly crosses from corner after nice move, Wambach slots it home.. 4-0
79:00 Nigeria putting some pressure on, resulting in a blocked shot, a foul, then a corner. Fawcett and Bivens clear...
86:00 Game is getting a bit rough. Sobrero was dumped with a late tackle a few minutes ago... USA putting the pressure on. Hamm almost finds Milbrett in the box...
88:00 Through pass to Wambach who gets hacked-down in the box... Foudy to take PK... Nigerian keeper comes way off the line but Foudy scores... Wait, the stupid ref is making JF retake the kick... Goal anyway, 5-0
THe game is effectivly well over BUT Wambach throws a STUPID elbow that easily could have been red and Nigerian is down on the field bleeding badly.
There is something to worry about on that one. FIFA reviews plays like that and can issue effective red cards after the fact.
91:00 A cheap shot taken on B. Scurry by Nigerian player. Brianna very unhappy about that one... Wambach gets away with an elbow that splits Kayome(sp)'s eye brow.... Plenty of blood, ouch that one is going to hurt for awhile. She leaves the field on a gurnsey. Wambach dumped at midfield. Another CK for Mia Hamm and the USA (Fawcett) almost scores again... Full-Time Finally, the ref blows the whistle to end this ugly end-of-the-game... Certainly, Mia Hamm is the WOTM. Lilly and Fawcett also deserve to be considered. Nigeria's WOTM has to be Mercy Akide... Kate Sobrero had a much better 2nd-half of play. Roberts, IMO, didn't look too good in her half-hour of play...