DASH BOARD GLANCE OF QUARTERFINAL.
1ST QF. SPAIN VS NETHERLANDS AT WELLINGTON STADIUM ON FRIDAY 11TH AUGUST AT 0200 HOURS.
2ND QF. JAPAN VS SWEDEN AT AUCKLAND ON 11TH AUGUST AT 0830 HOURS.
3RD QF. AUS/DEN VS FRA/MOR AT BRISBANE ON 12TH AUGUST.
4TH QF. ENG/NGR VS COL/JAM AT SYDNEY ON 12TH AUGUST.
.
Four times world champions, USA was on Sunday edged out of the 2023 women’s world cup at the at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium 5-4 on penalty by Sweden after a pulsating 120 minutes that ended goalless.
Both sides had displayed high level football skills but it was evident it was not America’s day as Lina Hurtig’s kick won it for Sweden. Gotham player, Kelly O’Hara was seen as faulty. She had a gentle kick which Goalkeeper Naeher attempted to save but not perfectly as VAR declared that she did not punch out the ball in time as it had gone over the line. Goal keeper Naeher holding the ball just stood holding the ball with her mouth wide opened in disbelief.
Sullivan, Horan, Marvis and Naeher scored in that order but Rapinoe with the first kick, Smith with the 3rd kick and O’Hara with the 4th kick are those who missed scoring for USA.
Rolfo, Reubensson, Bennisson, Ericksson and Hurtig scored in that order for Sweden. Bjorn missed the 4th kick and Blomqvist missed the 5th kick for Sweden.
To get to this stage, USA on 22nd July beat Vietnam 3-0; played 1-1 with Netherlands on 27th July and drew 0-0 with Portugal.
Sweden on 23rd July defeated South Africa 2-1 on 23rd July; pounded Italy 5-0on 29th July and also crashed Argentina 2-0 on 2nd August.
Sweden and USA are regular foes. USA won 2-0 on 14th September 2007; Sweden won 2-1 on 6th July 2011; they played 0-0 on 13th June 2015; they both played 1-1 again on 12th August 2016; USA piped Sweden 2-0 on 20th June 2019; USA ran away with 3-2 victory on 8th November 2019; on 10th April 2021 both played 1-1 and on 21st July 2021 Sweden arrested USA 3-0.
Japan will meet Sweden in the quarterfinals at Eden Park Outer Oval on Friday 11h August at 0830 hours. Spain versus Netherlands is at Wellington Stadium on Friday 11th August at 0200 hours.
This is the first time USA is eliminated before the semifinal stage in their history.
Sweden won their first penalty shootout at the world cup though the nation lost in a previous one against China in 1995.
Tomorrow Monday 7th August, The Super Falcons of Nigeria will take on the Lionesses of England in another Round of 16 Matches at the Lang Stadium in Brisbane at 0830 hours with 36 year old Finance Graduate, Honduras Referee, Melissa Borjas as the Centre Ref. She gave four yellow cards in the match between Germany and Columbia played on 30th July which ended 0-2 and six yellows in the Italy 1 versus Argentina 0 match of 24th July.
At 1130 hours also tomorrow, co-hosts Australia shall trade tackles with Denmark in another Round of 16 matches at the Stadium Australia. Swiss Ref, Rebecca Welch shall be in charge of the match.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
#FIFAWOMENWORLDCUP2023.
#CAF #NFF
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
