Tag: Olympics

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)”

Olympics: Preview Notes – South Africa (Group F)

DEBUTANTES DESTINED TO BE WALLFLOWERS? Banyana Banyana (“banyana” means “the girls” in Nguni) is, at #61,  the lowest ranked squad in the tournament and find themselves in a group with two of the top three teams from the 2011 Women’s World Cup: champions Japan and third-place Sweden, along with a Canada side that is focused on redemption. Continue reading “Olympics: Preview Notes – South Africa (Group F)”

Olympics: Preview Notes – Brazil (Group E)

BRAZIL’S ONCE DAZZLING FORM HAS FIZZLED. A team that was a revelation in 2003, a difficult obstacle in 2004, a thorn in 2007, and a worthy opponent in 2008, became a sad villain in 2011. And, with disappointing results at the 2011 Women’s World Cup and the 2011 Pan-American Games, Brazil’s federation sacked head coach Kleiton Lima and brought back Jorge Barcellos, who led Brazil to a silver medal in 2008, and went on to coach the WPS’ St. Louis Athletica. Continue reading “Olympics: Preview Notes – Brazil (Group E)”

Olympics: Preview Notes – United States (Group G)

LIKE AN ACTING COMPANY’S FAVORITE PLAY — Once again, the United States finds itself in USWNT: Olympic Redemption, A Triumph in Two Acts. The first act ends with a disappointing finish in Women’s World Cup. And, the second act is suppose to end a year later with the USWNT wearing Olympic Gold Medals around their necks. At least that’s how the play’s inaugural run ended in 1996, along with its two revivals in 2004 and 2008. But, complicating the matter will be the guest actresses that play the final team of antagonists, who may decide to go off script and ad-lib a different ending.
Continue reading “Olympics: Preview Notes – United States (Group G)”