FIFA Women's World Cup
 

Anyone watching it?

I'm so proud of the Nadeshiko, Japans national women's football team. After reaching the semi finals for the first time in their history, they go up against Sweden tomorrow to play the winner of France vs USA for the championship.

Them knocking out Germany was perhaps one of the biggest upsets in the history of this tournament.

Go Nadeshiko!

Yes they are playing extremely well they have a tough game coming up its going to be exciting. Im also proud of the US those girls have been playing their hearts out and to get a win over Brazil is a huge confidence booster heading in the semi finals

Unfortunately the brazilian team made lots of mistakes.

I'm watching them, & skipping time with friends to do so. So proud of them against Germany

Congratulations on reaching the finals against the U.S.

Since the U.S. has baseball, football and basketball, let the rest of the world have futbol.... I'm rooting for Japan....

Wow! Those women really play with heart don't they?

And what a nice touch walking around with that banner thanking the world for their support.

The USA will be a tough opponent but whatever happens, the Nadeshiko have gained an enormous amount of respect from the world.

They'll definitely go up from 4th in the FIFA standings....

I'm telling you Japan are quickly become a GREAT footballing nation! The only thing that is missing is a World Cup, for men and women!

I heard Japan's team is doing good! ;D

I am so happy for Japan :)

This World Cup gets so much attention, it's almost unbelivable and Japan is in the Finals!!

This is exactly what Japan needed right now! Just beautiful to see this happen.

I could not of asked for better match up.Been born in Japan but now an American i want to wish both teams good luck.I'm sure in Japan regardless of the outcome of the match,the team has done Japan proud.

Like the soccer team,the people across Japan also worked as a"team"to help one and others in the 3/11 disaster.I could not be more proud to be born Japanese!!!

Here is a interesting analysis of Japan vs. US football match (sorry, it's all in Japanese).

米サッカーの弱点とは？　そして「なでしこ」の勝機と は？ | プリンストン発　新潮流アメリカ | コラム＆ブログ | ニューズウィーク日本版 オフィシャルサイト

The writer Reizei points out US team has tendencies to follow the common sense of "American football". Though the team already overcome these tendencies, they expose these tendencies under heavy pressure.

The tendencies are:

1. each members has fixed role like as FWs to shoot and DFs to return quickly.
2. use long forward pass.
3. each member keeps ball too long time.
4. not to hesitate to make backward pass.
5. as a result, they play rather slow and not rhythmical.
6. not familiar with the offside trap.
7. slow to switch from defense to attack.

He also points out that the director and coaches are north European and the real leader is the captain/GK. If US team lost a goal first, GK could not be calm and so do the members. Then those "tendencies" could come out.

At last, He points out that US team is little bit different from the modern foot ball (because of the "American FootBall"). It will definitely make very good game between Powerful US team and the NADESHIKO with more accuracy and less power.

Someone please make more better translation.

I have never seen a professional soccer game before but there was nothing on TV so I watched the Sweeden vs France game. Since I don't like France as a whole I rooted for Sweeden.

Why don't you like France? :)

You know, I really don't know. It's just one of those instincts that you get. There's nothing wrong with France I just don't like it. Not really sure why.

I'm happy for Japan, but since I'm American I have to root for them.

I think the the real key to the game is wich team feels under more pressure to win.

I pray to god that Japan wins...

Congratulations to the Nadeshiko for being WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!

Great game!

Congrats Japan. I watched the start of the game but wasn't able to watch anymore. But I did keep up with it on online.

That was a great game all around!
Huge congrats to Japan's team! They never let up! :vsign:

Congratulations Japan!

The USA were totally dominant but the Japanese never gave up.

So happy for Homare Sawa in particular. She'll have to make some room in her display cabinet! :)

This final was quite similar to the last Asia Cup that Japan (men) won, being constantly being dominating then hitting back hard and coming out victorious! Great game!

Great game. I am reminded why I don't like PK finishes, but if that is the rules, then that is the rules.

I rooted for Japan Big Time when they played against Germany. I think Patriotism is a stupid thing and builds the strongest borders out there.

Isn't that the Peak of a Soccer Game? :vsign:

I was rooting for Japan. However...
It was obvious to me however America did not try as hard, not taking Japanese seriously. (Hope Solo....come on girl. :/)

But still, Sawa rocked hard.

I'm disappointed that the US lost but those Japanese girls were the epitome of NEVER QUIT.

Sure, you could say that Japan scored on US miscues, but that is what a good team is supposed to do. Japan kept playing hard and took advantage of opportunities when the popped up. Those girls deserve to be extremely proud of their win.

And what an emotional boost those girls have given Japan. Not just by winning but by how they pulled it off. Never quitting. Never giving up. It was inspiring to watch.

As for the US, it was just not our year. No big deal. Our girls still got a hero's welcome when they got home.