Cliche, cliche, cliche. We got a penalty from a dive ffs. They did well and were very unlucky, no need to bring the men into it at all. This tired cliche of saying they care more or play with more honesty than the men is just as stupid as saying the women's game is somehow less valid.
I think the men are just as passionate when on the pitch. I think they act different to the women off the pitch because of the way they get treated by casual contacts and hangers on. The men may also be more nervous because their performances can have a big effect on their next contract negotiation. I'm not saying they think about that during the match but I am sure it is something they think about in the build up to tournaments.
Thought their penalty was a push just outside the area and she did go down easy so should have been a free kick edge of the box and yellow card not a penalty.
Agreed. Both soft penalties. I thought it was interesting that the ref gave both without much hesitation.
I never said they care more. I'm not one of the muppets who always blames their male counterparts' lack of success on a lack of passion. Yes, the penalty looked a bit soft, but generally speaking, they DO play with more honesty. At any point during that game did you see the ref hounded by players, and how many times did you see one of them rolling around like they'd been shot by a sniper? It was refreshing to see.
Soft but can see why both were given and seen them given much softer than those week in and week out in the PL etc.
Not sure how you can see why a foul taking place a couple of yards outside the penalty area was given...
Rafferty didn't help herself really by charging in on the Jap but even so I share your feelings about the Japs, hope USA batter them and make up for Pearl Harbor
I just wonder, if Chris Smalling had scored an injury time own goal (just go with it) in a world cup semi final, would he get the same amount of support and sympathy.
I can see how it was given, if not why. Very tough for a ref to judge those from the angle they're looking at. The "assistant referee" looking across the pitch at the incident has no such excuse.
If Japan (aka the Japs) wins perhaps they'll make the US team kneel on the half way line and then decapitate them and then make all the supporters march out and build a bridge.
Good point. Because it's seen as new and novel people want to be positive about England ladies, but if the mens team had done exactly the same it'd be a national disgrace, they've let us all down, they just don't care, they're paid too much, Hodgson out, get rid of Rooney, Hart, Cahill, Baines, bring in the kids, why aren't we more like Germany, you can't play 442 its old-fashioned and rigid, the whole English game needs an overhaul, what about B teams? Etc.
Have to be careful these days what you say but Japan has never been one of my favourite nations for those kind of historical reasons, even if it was generations ago
When was the last time you saw an England mens team giving it everything when it really mattered, I can't even remember, at least with the ladies you could say it was last week. They will be just the same in the play-off game tomorrow v Germany, if it is tomorrow, can't remember
Ive never liked the 3/4 play off games but since it's England I'll be their to cheer on the girls! Will be my 7th game of the Women's World Cup and I've been impressed with the standard of football, only one crap match and that was the opening game! As someone else as said the Goalkeeping has been poor but I'm sure they will improve in that area by the next one. I hope they do have a GB team at the the Olmpics as they deserve to play on the big stage more often. Better time on the telly for those in England so let's hope we can beat the Germans for once. Come on Englad
I can say it was the last game for both of them. Do you truly believe footballers don't care about playing for really their country?
