Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nice: Sweden ended their women's 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup campaign on a high by beating England 2-1 in Saturday's third-place play-off in Nice, as Sofia Jakobsson's first-half strike proved to be the winner.
England were looking to claim the bronze medal for the second successive World Cup, but it was Peter Gerhardsson's side who finished third for the third time.
Kosovare Asllani gave Sweden an 11th-minute lead, before Jakobsson curled in an excellent second midway through the first half, and although Fran Kirby quickly pulled one back, England could not find an equaliser.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/kosovare_asllani-sweden-afp.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/sofia_jakobsson-sweden-afp.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/fran_kirby-england-afp.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/sweden-joy-wwc-afp.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Lyon: The Netherlands' rise as a force in women's football continued on Wednesday as Jackie Groenen's extra-time strike saw them edge out Sweden 1-0 in a gruelling 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup semi-final in Lyon, taking the European champions through to Sunday's final against the United States.
After a goalless 90 minutes, midfielder Groenen - a former judo European Championship bronze medallist as a youth who recently agreed a move to Manchester United - broke the deadlock in the 99th minute of a tense contest, breaking Swedish hearts in the process.
When Danielle van de Donk's pass was touched into her path, Groenen sent a low shot from 20 yards beyond the reach of goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl and into the far corner.
Having knocked out Italy and former winners Japan in the previous two rounds, the Dutch are now just one game away from adding a first World Cup to the title they won at Euro 2017 as hosts.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Lyon: Alex Morgan scored what proved to be the winner but hailed goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher after her late penalty save from Steph Houghton allowed holders the United States to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over England in their 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France semi-final on Tuesday.
On her 30th birthday, USA co-captain Morgan headed home her sixth goal of the World Cup just after the half-hour mark in this last-four showdown to put her team back in front after Ellen White had cancelled out Christen Press's early opener.
But after an open first 45 minutes, the second half was dominated by more VAR calls, with England having another White goal disallowed for the tightest of offside calls following a review by the Brazilian referee.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Rennes: Japan’s heartbreaking last-minute loss to the Netherlands on Tuesday ended Asia’s playing involvement in the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.
With three out of five representatives reaching the knockout stage, it was a tournament of much promise, but three losses in four days to European opposition meant that, for the first time in history, the quarter-final draw is without an Asian side.
As the dust settles on the Continent’s campaign at France 2019, the-AFC.com reviews the campaigns of each of the five participants.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Montpellier: Jia Xiuquan is unsure if he will remain in charge of China PR, after they were beaten in the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 Round of 16 by Italy on Tuesday.
The Steel Roses performed better then the 2-0 scoreline might have suggested at Stade de la Mosson, but an inability to convert scoring opportunities remained their Achilles heel as they were eliminated from the competition having scored just one goal in four matches.
Jia steered China through a difficult group featuring Germany, Spain and South Africa, but their exit in the first knockout round is the nation’s worst FIFA Women’s World Cup result when appearing at the Finals.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Rennes: Falling to a last-minute Lieke Martens winner was a bitter end to Japan’s FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 campaign, but head coach Asako Takakura believes her young side have grown during the tournament.
Tuesday’s performance at Roazhon Park was Japan’s best in France, as a team dominated by players appearing on the world stage for the first time produced the sort of sparkling football for which the Nadeshiko have become universally admired.
But, for all their efforts, including a fabulous display from Mana Iwabuchi, it ended in tears for the Asian champions, as captain Saki Kumagai was penalised for blocking a rushed Vivianne Miedema shot with her arm, paving the way for Martens to deal the decisive blow from 12 yards in a 2-1 win.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nice: Steph Catley has turned her attention to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, after experiencing a devastating early exit at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 on Saturday.
The Matildas rode their luck for much of the tournament in France, but it ran out in dramatic fashion against Norway, as Ante Milicic’s side fell to a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat following a gruelling 1-1 draw.
Both sides had their share of scoring opportunities at Stade de Nice, but Australia’s failure to take any of several early chances, including a narrow Sam Kerr miss within the opening minute, ultimately proved costly.