Category: General Soccer

Olympics: Television Schedule for July 28th, with “Live Extra” Links

On Saturday, July 28th, all twelve teams in women’s soccer tournament at this year’s London Olympics will play their second group matches. The United States Women’s National Team, fresh off their comeback win over France will take on Colombia at noon Eastern time. This match will be shown live on NBC Sports Network and NBC’s Specialty Soccer Channel, as well as via a live stream on NBCOlympics.com. Continue reading “Olympics: Television Schedule for July 28th, with “Live Extra” Links”

U-20 WWC: Ghana and Nigeria Split Tune-Up Friendlies

Ghana’s Under-20 Women’s National Team, who will face the United States U-20 WNT in the two sides’ opening match of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup this August in Japan, recently hosted two friendlies against rival African side Nigeria. In the first match, on July 24th, Ghana, who never trailed in the friendly, defeated Nigeria 3:2, with a brace by top forward Florence Dadson. In the second match, Ghana took an early lead — in just the 2nd minute — but was unable to hold back Nigeria, who scored two unanswered goals in the second half to claim a victory.
Continue reading “U-20 WWC: Ghana and Nigeria Split Tune-Up Friendlies”

Olympics: Television Schedule for July 25th, With “Live Extra” Links

All times are EDT.

NBC Sports Network & MSNBC
10:30 a.m. to  1:00 p.m. – Great Britain vs. New Zealand (MSNBC, Live)
11:30 a.m. to  1:45 p.m. – UNITED STATES vs. France (NBCSN, Live)
1:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Cameroon vs. Brazil (NBCSN, Live)
2:30 p.m. to  4:15 p.m. – Colombia vs. North Korea (MSNBC, Live)
4:00 p.m. to  6:00 p.m. – Canada vs. Japan (NBCSN, Tape Delay)
4:30 p.m. to  6:00 p.m. – Sweden vs. South Africa (MSNBC, Tape Delay)
6:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. – Encores of USA/FRA, CMR/BRA, CAN/JPN (NBCSN)

 NBC Olympic Soccer Channel
12:00 p.m. to  2:15 p.m. – UNITED STATES vs. France (Live)
2:15 p.m. to  4:30 p.m. – Colombia vs. North Korea (Live)
4:30 p.m. to  6:00 p.m. – Great Britain vs. New Zealand (Encore)
6:00 p.m. to  7:30 p.m. – Japan vs. Canada (Encore)
7:30 p.m. to  9:00 p.m. – Brazil vs. Cameroon (Encore)
9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. – Sweden vs. South Africa (Encore)
10:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. – United States vs. France (Encore)

NBCOlympics.com “Live Extra” Links
11:00 a.m. – Great Britain vs. New Zealand
12:00 p.m. – Japan vs. Canada (not televised live)
12:00 p.m. – UNITED STATES vs. France
1:45 p.m. – Cameroon vs. Brazil
2:45 p.m. – Sweden vs. South Africa (not televised live)
2:45 p.m. – Colombia vs. North Korea

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For complete listings of the women’s soccer tournament plus a discussion of viewing options, see this earlier post (July 22nd).

Olympics: Women’s Referees For the Opening Matches

On Monday, the list of referees for the first match day of the women’s soccer tournament at the 2012 London Olympics was unofficially released.

For the United States vs. France match, the center referee will be Sachiko Yamagishi (née Baba) of Japan. Yamagishi, a three-time AFC Referee of the Year (the-afc.com), ref’ed the USA/Brazil match in April, which was held in Chiba, as part of the Women’s Kirin Challenge Cup (U.S. Soccer match report). She also was the center referee for an Under-20 Women’s World Cup match involving the USA: the 2008 semifinal versus Germany, which the United States won 1:0 on an own goal (U.S. Soccer match report). Continue reading “Olympics: Women’s Referees For the Opening Matches”

Olympics: Team Previews (Overview)

Below, there are linked posts which provide some final notes on all twelve teams in the women’s soccer tournament at the London Olympics. Each post includes thoughts on the team’s chances of advancing out of the groups, known injury issues, summary of recent matches, and probable line-ups.

If you find any errors or want to share any additional useful information, please note that in a comment on the relevant post. Continue reading “Olympics: Team Previews (Overview)”

Olympics: Preview Notes – New Zealand (Group E)

The Football Ferns, lovable underdogs from the islands east of a Land Down Under (plus points farther east like California, Illinois, and England) are hoping to finally take flight, even though they are Kiwis. But, unlike New Zealand’s flightless national symbol, these chicks ladies could take off. Continue reading “Olympics: Preview Notes – New Zealand (Group E)”

Olympics: Preview Notes – Canada (Group F)

THE ONLY WAY TO GO IS UP — After a dismal performance at the 2011 Women’s World Cup where they finished statistically dead last, Canada is hoping to reverse their fortunes this year by finding their way to the medal podium in London. Continue reading “Olympics: Preview Notes – Canada (Group F)”

Olympics: Preview Notes – Colombia (Group G)

UNPREPARED FOR THE ONSLAUGHT? — After the last Women’s World Cup, Colombia participated in the 2011 Pan-American Games in Mexico, which were held in November. After that, Colombia’s next camp was not held until May, and their first international friendlies were played in July.

Continue reading “Olympics: Preview Notes – Colombia (Group G)”

Olympics: Preview Notes – Cameroon (Group E)

HERE BY THE GRACE OF THE SOCCER GODS — During qualification, Cameroon was knocked out by Equatorial Guinea, and that appeared to be the end of the road. Until, it was discovered that one of their opponent’s players was ineligible due to nationality reasons (BBC). And, with that Equatorial Guinea forfeited their matches, which gave Cameroon a chance to qualify if they could beat African heavyweight Nigeria in the final home-and-away round. But, after a split-decision where each team had a 2:1 win, the ticket to London would be decided by a penalty shoot-out, which Cameroon ended up winning 4-3 (FIFA.com write-up). Continue reading “Olympics: Preview Notes – Cameroon (Group E)”