General Football Thread (inc' Foreign, Non-League & Women's Football)

And England win.! How many times recently has anybody typed that.?

 

Brilliant!

 

Hilarious hoof ball by England at the end. In fairness they didn't look like conceding in the last 10 minutes, they kept their nerve well.

 

They panicked and rushed it when they had time. England looked far more solid than Canada. A massive achievement to get into the last four, but the other semifinalists look so much stronger.

 

It was like Hope Powell was managing again!!

 

Hard to see England beating US, Germany, or Japan. They just look a whole level below, at least.

Germany v US should be interesting. If US defense is legit this good, they can win. Germany's back line is slow and Morgan can take advantage. As much as I dislike Hope Solo, she is really good.

More likely, the U.S. defense is not legit, and our lack of any sort of creativity or any game plan at all will be exposed.

I still feel like the best thing for US is for them to lose, but they are still good enough to win despite themselves

 

Congratulations to England...big achievement. Japan next....very tough game, but you never know. They should just enjoy today.

 

Got up at 6 to watch it, really hard staying away from spoiler alert footy forums....but managed it. Very enjoyable, nervous last 40 mins, but that's England of the modern age. The only thing lacking in this comp is the officials who appear to be non league. Still, that doesn't matter today.
On a side note, these ladies have given our country more pride & enjoyment than the men have for five years, go girls!

 

Japan next -what I've seen of them they're good technically, keep the ball moving on the ground well, BUT England might be able to beat them on the set pieces

 

Apparently we beat them in the last WC...but they are World Champions and a lot can happen for both teams in 4 years.

 

Well done to the England girls. They will be def underdogs in the semi, but they have been able to score enough goals and defend well generally so far, so they are capable of pulling off another upset.

 

I predict we will reach the final and knock out the Germans on penalties. I can dream, can't I?

 

I'm really enjoying this world cup actually, though I'm bloody tired today as a result...

 

I thought it might be earlier next Wednesday, but I note that it is said to be at midnight on the FA website.

 

Oh gawd....gluey eyes again by the end then.

 

From what I've actually watched, Japan have played the nicest football.

 

Phil Neville is off to Valencia to become assistant manager. That'll please a few people:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33305007

 

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Hang on, stop laughing. Apparently not yet. Though talks are ongoing: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33305007

I think you'll be able to guffaw again soon enough though.

 

This interest in women's football is so great to see, I don't just mean here (although that is great) but in society as a whole, people are starting to sit up and take notice. As the England team have done so well this time, that's gonna have a positive affect for women's football. Hopefully,after watching England do so well, more people might be inclined to go to a match in person, and hopefully that'll benefit team inside and outside of the WSL as well.

Portsmouth are lucky in some regards that the nearest WSL team is Reading, which is quite a trek. Southampton seem to be getting better with each season too, so hopefully they can gain promotion this season. Would be amazing for the derbies to resume!