Besideds the USA’s 4:1 win over China, three other notable matches occurred in the past week: Canada defeated China 1:0 at home, Germany defeated Romania 5:0 in a Women’s Euro qualifier, and Sweden beat Scotland 4:1 in an away friendly.
NEIGHBOR WATCH: Canada Defeats China on a Sinclair Stoppage Time Goal
Canada 1, China 0.
Goal: Sinclair (90+4′).
30-May-2012. Canada and China looked headed for a 0:0 draw, but a stoppage time handball call on Pang Fengyue gave Canada one last dangerous free kick. The kick, taken by Diana Matheson, was redirected by Christine Sinclair into the goal to give Canada its last home win prior to the Olympics. Earlier in the match, Brittany Timko had a breakaway goal snuffed out beyond the penalty box by China’s goalkeeper, Wang Fei. (Canada Soccer match report)
Highlights:
Canada will next face the United States on June 30th in Utah. In the USA, that match will air live on NBC.
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RIVAL WATCH: Germany Defeats Romania 5:0 in Euro Qualifier; Popp Gets a Hat Trick
Germany 5, Romania 0.
Goals: Bresonik (1′), Popp (34′, 50′, 90′), Marozsan (40′).
31-May-2012. With goal-scoring machine Celia Okinyo da Mbabi out due to a slight tear in her right thigh (dfb.de), Alexandra Popp stepped up and scored a hat trick for Germany in their latest Women’s European Championship qualifier versus Romania.
However, the first German goal was headed in by Linda Bresonik in the 46th second, via a Popp cross. Dzenifer Marozsan set up Popp’s first goal (34′) before scoring one herself just a few minutes later. Popp’s last two goals were both headers: the first after a slightly deflected Bresonik cross and the second was from a long free kick by Babett Peter. (DFB.de match report, in German; UEFA.com box score and more)
Besides Okinyo da Mbabi, other players who were unavailable due to injuries included Lira Bajramaj, who has had a series of minor injuries this year, plus goalkeeper Nadine Angerer and midfielder/forward Kim Kulig who are both still recovering from knee injuries. Also, Anja Mittag was unavailable due to yellow card accumulation.
Germany’s next scheduled match is in September, a Euro qualifier versus Kazakhstan, whom they crushed 17:0 in their last meeting. With a win, Germany would wrap up a spot to the 2013 Women’s Euro, which will be held in Sweden.
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RIVAL WATCH: Sweden Beats Scotland 4:1 In Away Friendly
Sweden 4, Scotland 1.
SWE Goals: Lotta Schelin (13′, 25′), Jakobsson (52′, 67′).
SCO Goal: Little (45+1′ PK).
(Highlights) 26-May-2012. Lotta Schelin and Sofia Jakobsson each scored a brace as Sweden easily defeated Scotland in Kirkcaldy.
Schelin’s first goal was after a cleared corner kick was sent back in by Lisa Dahlkvist. Schelin niftily redirected the cross with an up-kicked heel. Svhelin followed that goal up by getting onto a slotted pass by Nilla Fischer and finishing a sliding kick to the far corner.
Scotland’s lone goal was a converted penalty by Kim Little after Malin Levenstad pushed Jennifer Beattie in the box, right before the half-time whistle.
In the second half, Jakobsson got onto the scoresheet by chipping a shot into an open net after Schelin, on a fast break down the right flank, sent her a cross. Jakobsson’s second goal came as a result of hustling past three Scottish defenders, latching onto an Emma Berglund clearance, and just getting enough of the ball to send a slow-roller past the ‘keeper and across the goal line. (SvFF match report, in Swedish, Scottish FA match report)
Formation note: Sweden was in a 4-2-3-1 in the first half, but switched to a 4-4-2 after the break.
Sweden’s next match is a home friendly versus the United States, on June 16th, in Halmstad, Sweden as part of the three-nations Volvo Winner’s Cup (SvFF), with Japan being the third team.
Women's Soccer Express 