DON’T COUNT THEM OUT — Down a player due to a dubious red card in the consolation match at last year’s Women’s World Cup, Sweden found a way to scoring a go-ahead goal and hold onto the lead to claim third place. This year, Sweden finds itself without several key players due to injuries. But, among the healthy is their star forward, Lotta Schelin. And, that is cause of concern for any defense. Continue reading “Olympics: Preview Notes – Sweden (Group F)”
Category: Rival Watch
Notable news and analysis about the USWNT’s key rivals: Brazil, Germany Japan, and Sweden.
Olympics: Nadeshiko Japan Announces Its Roster
Early Monday, head coach Norio Sasaki announced Nadeshiko Japan’s roster for the women’s soccer tournament at this year’s Summer Olympics in Great Britain (JFA, Japanese version). All eighteen players on the primary roster were part of Japan’s 2011 World Champion squad, including Karina Maruyama, who injured her knee during Olympic qualifying last September. Also making the squad are defender Azusa Iwashimizu and U-20 forward Mana Iwabuchi, who both missed the Volvo Winners Cup in Sweden due to minor injuries (left ankle and foot, respectively). Not among the primary players or alternates is defender Rumi Utsugi, who was injured during Japan’s most recent friendly with the United States. Continue reading “Olympics: Nadeshiko Japan Announces Its Roster”
Olympics: Brazil’s WNT Announces Its Roster (Plus Other Notes)
On Friday, head coach Jorge Barcellos announced Brazil’s roster for the women’s soccer tournament at the upcoming Summer Olympics in Great Britain (CBF.com.br, in Portuguese). Only one player, defender Bruna Benites, was not on the roster for last year’s Women’s World Cup. Neither Gabriela Maria Zanotti Demoner, who played collegiate soccer at Franklin Pierce University, nor Rafaelle Leone Carvalho Souza, who currently plays for the University of Missippi (Ole Miss) are on the eighteen player roster. The roster includes one U-20 player, forward Thaís Guedes, who also played in the 2011 Women’s World Cup. Continue reading “Olympics: Brazil’s WNT Announces Its Roster (Plus Other Notes)”
Opponent Watch: Japan’s Travel Roster For Friendlies in Sweden
Early on Tuesday, Japan released its roster for the two friendlies versus the United States and Sweden that will be held in Sweden in mid-June as part of the Volvo Winners Cup. Twenty-one players were called up, including Homare Sawa and Mana Iwabuchi who were both recovering from medical issues. One uncapped player was called up, Ami Otaki, who finished university at the end of last year and now plays for UEFA Women’s Champion League champions Olympique Lyonnais in France.
Japan and the United States WNT play each other on June 18th at 13:00 local time in Sweden.
Continue reading “Opponent Watch: Japan’s Travel Roster For Friendlies in Sweden”
Opponent Watch: Sweden’s Roster For Friendlies Versus the USA and Japan
On Tuesday, Sweden released its 22-player roster for its two friendly matches versus the United States and Japan, as part of the Volvo Winners Cup, which it will host in mid-June. There were no surprise inclusions, but Sweden’s injury woes since the 2011 Women’s World Cup has forced several changes to the team’s starting line-up, especially on its back line.
Sweden and the United States WNT will play each other on June 16th at 16:00 local time. Continue reading “Opponent Watch: Sweden’s Roster For Friendlies Versus the USA and Japan”
Olympics: Notes on the Latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings
On June 1st, the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings were released. While there were no major shake-ups, the most notable rankings movement was by Brazil, whose series of losses to Canada, the USA, and Japan, caused them to drop 33 points and fall from fourth place to fifth place, behind Sweden. Meanwhile, the United States remains in the number one spot and was able to extend its points lead over Germany and the other top teams. Continue reading “Olympics: Notes on the Latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings”
Olympics: More Details on Brazil’s June Camp
On Friday, the CBF posted a short news item detailing the schedule for Brazil’s penultimate domestic training camp prior to the Olympics. As part of the camp, Brazil will play two scrimmages, one versus the Under-15 boys’ team of Fluminense (Wikipedia) and then one versus Brazil’s Under-20 Women’s National Team, who are preparing for the U-20 Women’s World Cup, which begins in late August. Also mentioned in the news item were the arrival dates for some of the European-based players, including Marta and Elaine, who both play for Tyresö in Sweden. Continue reading “Olympics: More Details on Brazil’s June Camp”
A Round-Up of Other Notable International Matches (Late May 2012)
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. Continue reading “A Round-Up of Other Notable International Matches (Late May 2012)”
Olympics: Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, and Others to Participate in a Friendly Tournament in Early July
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) released preliminary details of a friendly tournament that will take place from July 8th to the 17th in Savièse, Switzerland, between London-bound teams Brazil, Canada, and New Zealand, plus Russia and two other teams that have yet to be confirmed. The CBF news item uses the phrase “Copa Feminina da Suíça 2012” which translates to “Swiss Women’s Cup 2012,” but there is no word on whether Switerland’s WNT will participate in this six team tournament.
Source: CBF.com.br
Olympics: Brazil’s June Training Camp Roster
Earlier today, Jorge Barcellos announced Brazil’s June training camp roster (CBF.com.br). From the 25 players called into the camp, 18 will make the official Olympic roster, while up to 4 will be included as alternates. The official roster should be announced at the end of June. Continue reading “Olympics: Brazil’s June Training Camp Roster”
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