1’ France kicks off!
Jon Healy profile image
6m ago

By Jon Healy

We are off and running.

France tried their immediate attack from Sandie Toletti down the left and Emily van Egmond leapt in to shut it down.

Easy money.

But eventually they do find that ball down the left to Kdidiatou Diani and she puts in the cross, but it’s headed clear by Alanna Kennedy.

roughbarked said:

1’ France kicks off!
Jon Healy profile image
6m ago

By Jon Healy

We are off and running.

France tried their immediate attack from Sandie Toletti down the left and Emily van Egmond leapt in to shut it down.

Easy money.

But eventually they do find that ball down the left to Kdidiatou Diani and she puts in the cross, but it’s headed clear by Alanna Kennedy.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-12/live-updates-fifa-womens-world-cup-matildas-vs-france/102714394
Link

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

1’ France kicks off!
Jon Healy profile image
6m ago

By Jon Healy

We are off and running.

France tried their immediate attack from Sandie Toletti down the left and Emily van Egmond leapt in to shut it down.

Easy money.

But eventually they do find that ball down the left to Kdidiatou Diani and she puts in the cross, but it’s headed clear by Alanna Kennedy.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-12/live-updates-fifa-womens-world-cup-matildas-vs-france/102714394
Link

All you who didn’t pick up this thread simply because I posted it are a pack of weak pricks,

I didn’t even notice it.

We’ll use it for the semifinal :)

Bubblecar said:

I didn’t even notice it.

We’ll use it for the semifinal :)

Kewl ;)

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

1’ France kicks off!
Jon Healy profile image
6m ago

By Jon Healy

We are off and running.

France tried their immediate attack from Sandie Toletti down the left and Emily van Egmond leapt in to shut it down.

Easy money.

But eventually they do find that ball down the left to Kdidiatou Diani and she puts in the cross, but it’s headed clear by Alanna Kennedy.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-12/live-updates-fifa-womens-world-cup-matildas-vs-france/102714394
Link

All you who didn’t pick up this thread simply because I posted it are a pack of weak pricks,

why do we need more than one thread for the same thing?

Arts said:

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-12/live-updates-fifa-womens-world-cup-matildas-vs-france/102714394
Link

All you who didn’t pick up this thread simply because I posted it are a pack of weak pricks,

why do we need more than one thread for the same thing?

Why do you need to ask?

roughbarked said:

Arts said:

roughbarked said:

All you who didn’t pick up this thread simply because I posted it are a pack of weak pricks,

why do we need more than one thread for the same thing?

Why do you need to ask?

you got mad, and thought it was a conspiracy but there was a perfectly good thread for this topic already so I am asking why there needs to be more than one thread…

Arts said:

roughbarked said:

Arts said:

why do we need more than one thread for the same thing?

Why do you need to ask?

you got mad, and thought it was a conspiracy but there was a perfectly good thread for this topic already so I am asking why there needs to be more than one thread…

Well because it was about the matildas and nobody was posting in the other thread.

roughbarked said:

Arts said:

roughbarked said:

Why do you need to ask?

you got mad, and thought it was a conspiracy but there was a perfectly good thread for this topic already so I am asking why there needs to be more than one thread…

Well because it was about the matildas and nobody was posting in the other thread.

I see.

roughbarked said:

Arts said:

roughbarked said:

Why do you need to ask?

you got mad, and thought it was a conspiracy but there was a perfectly good thread for this topic already so I am asking why there needs to be more than one thread…

Well because it was about the matildas and nobody was posting in the other thread.

They could have been like me, enthralled with the to and fro of the game but well, there you go.

dv said:

Lolol….good old Gomer Pyle.

I assumed Mary Fowler is aboriginal but her mother is from PNG.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-15/matildas-world-cup-sam-kerr-mary-fowler-inspire-diverse-fans/102713288

Bubblecar said:

I assumed Mary Fowler is aboriginal but her mother is from PNG.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-15/matildas-world-cup-sam-kerr-mary-fowler-inspire-diverse-fans/102713288

Yes that news was only recent to the public at large. Previously she was known as indigenous but no mention of to where.

LOL

SCIENCE said:

LOL

I assume he’s trying to claim that Tim Cahill is a woman who somehow found herself playing on the men’s team, so her 50 goals for Australia outranks Kerr’s 54 goals for Australia.

Maybe it’s like the wage gap and the Matlida goals are worth 79% of the Socceroo goals

Tonight is the night.

Matildas meet the so-called Lionesses at 8pm AEST for a historic World Cup semifinal at Stadium Australia, Sydney.

They last met in April for a friendly and the Matildas won 2-0.

So Australia has every chance of sending the poms packing, and then meeting Spain in the Final.

For the first time this WC, Sam Kerr will be in the starting line-up.

Bubblecar said:

For the first time this WC, Sam Kerr will be in the starting line-up.

Facially she reminds me of Jamie from Dr Who.

Did anyone do the matildas quiz today?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-16/womens-world-cup-matildas-quiz/102729790
I got 9/10.

Bubblecar said:

For the first time this WC, Sam Kerr will be in the starting line-up.

She’s certainly a superstar in her own right now. Not just the daughter and younger sister of famous AFL footballers.

You go gewrlz!

i just hope they win.

I feel a bit uneasy about all the hype and bandwagonning going in the media over this. Bound to jinx it.

party_pants said:

i just hope they win.

I feel a bit uneasy about all the hype and bandwagonning going in the media over this. Bound to jinx it.

They have to win. The alternative is unthinkable.

Albo’s in the crowd.

Not looking good for Australia. They’re allowing far too many pom attacks and sooner or later they’ll score.

Bubblecar said:

Not looking good for Australia. They’re allowing far too many pom attacks and sooner or later they’ll score.

…as predicted. England lead 1-0.

Bubblecar said:

Bubblecar said:

Not looking good for Australia. They’re allowing far too many pom attacks and sooner or later they’ll score.

…as predicted. England lead 1-0.

Alarm bells rang when I heard that the Matilda’s strategy will be to “allow” England to dominate possession.

Result? England are easily dominating the game and will very likely score again.

Aus will have to lift their game in the second arkle

Ian said:

Aus will have to lift their game in the second arkle

Indeed.

They need to commit to controlling the ball and driving forward as England have been doing.

Hoping for crumbs on the rebound is a Sunday-afternoon-in-the-park approach at this level. It’s a fucking world cup semifinal.

Bubblecar said:

They need to commit to controlling the ball and driving forward as England have been doing.

Hoping for crumbs on the rebound is a Sunday-afternoon-in-the-park approach at this level. It’s a fucking world cup semifinal.

The balloon seems to be deflating.

MAGNIFICENT GOAL FROM SAM KERR!

I’ll admit. That was good.

Bubblecar said:

They need to commit to controlling the ball and driving forward as England have been doing.

Hoping for crumbs on the rebound is a Sunday-afternoon-in-the-park approach at this level. It’s a fucking world cup semifinal.

Exactly. Vote 1 for Parpyone for Matilda’s coach. You tell ‘em, darling!! You tell ‘em!!

sigh England score again.

Woodie said:

Bubblecar said:

They need to commit to controlling the ball and driving forward as England have been doing.

Hoping for crumbs on the rebound is a Sunday-afternoon-in-the-park approach at this level. It’s a fucking world cup semifinal.

Exactly. Vote 1 for Parpyone for Matilda’s coach. You tell ‘em, darling!! You tell ‘em!!

Too late now, they needed me pre-match.

We’re now inside the last 20 minutes.

10 minutes to go.

“Let them outplay us” seems to have been the Oz gameplan. Bah.

Shit

Inside the last five minutes of normal time.

England have scored again.

Bubblecar said:

Inside the last five minutes of normal time.

To get three goals in.

May we all say “God save the King”.

Bum

Bubblecar said:

England have scored again.

…and the television is turned off in this house.

I’m going to watch space puppets and cheer up.

Bubblecar said:

Bubblecar said:

England have scored again.

…and the television is turned off in this house.

I’m going to watch space puppets and cheer up.

Won’t bother watching the final, but I hope Spain win :)

Did they measure the goals before this thing started?

I’m sure the goals we’re kicking too are smaller than the ones they’re kicking too.

Ah well.

I had a feeling that all the excess hype would lead to the inevitable let-down.

It was a decent Oz team but they really needed a much more committed approach against the tough tattooed chavs of Blighty, who can’t read or write but never take prisoners.

“They’ll be happy to let England dominate possession” was heard from more than one pundit before the match. You can’t do that and expect to win, I replied.

As soon as that second English goal went in, i turned off the box and began heading for bed.

There was no way that the Matildas were pulling two goals out of the hat against that English side in ten minutes or so, even if the the Blessed Virgin Mary herself descended from Heaven, laced on a pair of boots, and said to Gustavsson ‘where do you want me, coach?’.

Frankly, the English outplayed them. The English comprehensively dominated possession of the ball, their passing play was superior, their play much more aggressive, and the Matildas ran on rails. Once the Matildas selected a side, then down that side they’d go, and the English rarely had to worry about them getting the midfield involved, let alone getting it over to the other side of the field. A lot of reliance placed on getting goals from corner kicks, and the corner kicks and crosses from the sidelines were too inaccurate for too long in the first half.

Outplayed

party_pants said:

Ah well.

I had a feeling that all the excess hype would lead to the inevitable let-down.

There’s no way now we’re all gunna get a day off.

Ian said:

Outplayed

Roundly and soundly.

Woodie said:

party_pants said:

Ah well.

I had a feeling that all the excess hype would lead to the inevitable let-down.

There’s no way now we’re all gunna get a day off.

Ah well.

We’ve got one coming up soon anyway. Kings Birthday or something.

captain_spalding said:

As soon as that second English goal went in, i turned off the box and began heading for bed.

There was no way that the Matildas were pulling two goals out of the hat against that English side in ten minutes or so, even if the the Blessed Virgin Mary herself descended from Heaven, laced on a pair of boots, and said to Gustavsson ‘where do you want me, coach?’.

Frankly, the English outplayed them. The English comprehensively dominated possession of the ball, their passing play was superior, their play much more aggressive, and the Matildas ran on rails. Once the Matildas selected a side, then down that side they’d go, and the English rarely had to worry about them getting the midfield involved, let alone getting it over to the other side of the field. A lot of reliance placed on getting goals from corner kicks, and the corner kicks and crosses from the sidelines were too inaccurate for too long in the first half.

Unfortunately that reflected the Australian gameplan. The Matildas were instructed not to try to wrest control of the ball from England, but at this level of the game in a WC semifinal that means forfeiting any realistic hope of victory. They really had to do their best to play the same game.

Bubblecar said:

Unfortunately that reflected the Australian gameplan. The Matildas were instructed not to try to wrest control of the ball from England, but at this level of the game in a WC semifinal that means forfeiting any realistic hope of victory. They really had to do their best to play the same game.

There’s a point in every game, whether its ‘soccer’ or Rugby or hockey, or whatever, where you HAVE to try to take control of the ball.

If you don’t, then your scoreline will invariably read ‘0’.

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

Unfortunately that reflected the Australian gameplan. The Matildas were instructed not to try to wrest control of the ball from England, but at this level of the game in a WC semifinal that means forfeiting any realistic hope of victory. They really had to do their best to play the same game.

There’s a point in every game, whether its ‘soccer’ or Rugby or hockey, or whatever, where you HAVE to try to take control of the ball.

If you don’t, then your scoreline will invariably read ‘0’.

Yeah. You can’t score if you don’t have the ball. Likewise, your opposition can’t score if you have it.

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

Unfortunately that reflected the Australian gameplan. The Matildas were instructed not to try to wrest control of the ball from England, but at this level of the game in a WC semifinal that means forfeiting any realistic hope of victory. They really had to do their best to play the same game.

There’s a point in every game, whether its ‘soccer’ or Rugby or hockey, or whatever, where you HAVE to try to take control of the ball.

If you don’t, then your scoreline will invariably read ‘0’.

We were assured pre-match that the Matildas would be playing a “transition game”, i.e, hoping for quick goals on the rebound from dominant England attacks. That was never likely to work without a shedload of luck.

Anyway I expect the viewing figures for the final will be pretty feeble now :)

Bubblecar said:

We were assured pre-match that the Matildas would be playing a “transition game”, i.e, hoping for quick goals on the rebound from dominant England attacks. That was never likely to work without a shedload of luck.

Sort of like hoping your line holds under heavy artillery from the enemy, and that your soldiers are still fit to mount devastating counterattacks the moment that the shelling stops.

Might work, but i wouldn’t count on it winning the war.

Bubblecar said:

Anyway I expect the viewing figures for the final will be pretty feeble now :)

I dunno. We might get to see the English lose.

Bubblecar said:

Anyway I expect the viewing figures for the final will be pretty feeble now :)

Yes.Australians can get back to pretending they don’t follow the round ball game.

captain_spalding said:

As soon as that second English goal went in, i turned off the box and began heading for bed.

There was no way that the Matildas were pulling two goals out of the hat against that English side in ten minutes or so, even if the the Blessed Virgin Mary herself descended from Heaven, laced on a pair of boots, and said to Gustavsson ‘where do you want me, coach?’.

Frankly, the English outplayed them. The English comprehensively dominated possession of the ball, their passing play was superior, their play much more aggressive, and the Matildas ran on rails. Once the Matildas selected a side, then down that side they’d go, and the English rarely had to worry about them getting the midfield involved, let alone getting it over to the other side of the field. A lot of reliance placed on getting goals from corner kicks, and the corner kicks and crosses from the sidelines were too inaccurate for too long in the first half.

This seems a fair assessment.

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

Anyway I expect the viewing figures for the final will be pretty feeble now :)

I dunno. We might get to see the English lose.

I don’t care :)

I was in it for the Aussie atmosphere and now it’s gone.

I’m a UK citizen but one of the ABE crew (Anyone But England).

Bubblecar said:

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

Anyway I expect the viewing figures for the final will be pretty feeble now :)

I dunno. We might get to see the English lose.

I don’t care :)

I was in it for the Aussie atmosphere and now it’s gone.

I’m a UK citizen but one of the ABE crew (Anyone But England).

OK. I salute your choice.

The matildas did pretty good. Never made it to the quarters before.
England haven’t lost in 38 matches except to a friendly against Oz in the last 2 years.
I think they have done well..

Bubblecar said:

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

Anyway I expect the viewing figures for the final will be pretty feeble now :)

I dunno. We might get to see the English lose.

I don’t care :)

I was in it for the Aussie atmosphere and now it’s gone.

I’m a UK citizen but one of the ABE crew (Anyone But England).

Surely supporters of losing semi-final teams should support the team they lost to. so they can then claim joint second place, rather than fourth.

Bubblecar said:

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

Anyway I expect the viewing figures for the final will be pretty feeble now :)

I dunno. We might get to see the English lose.

I don’t care :)

I was in it for the Aussie atmosphere and now it’s gone.

I’m a UK citizen but one of the ABE crew (Anyone But England).

Could be a good chant for non-Spaniards at the final: ‘A-B-E! A-B-E! A-B-E!’

The Rev Dodgson said:

Surely supporters of losing semi-final teams should support the team they lost to. so they can then claim joint second place, rather than fourth.

Of course. You want the team that defeated your team to win the competition, so that you can salve your wounds with the knowledge that they turned out to be the ‘unbeatable’ team.

captain_spalding said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Surely supporters of losing semi-final teams should support the team they lost to. so they can then claim joint second place, rather than fourth.

Of course. You want the team that defeated your team to win the competition, so that you can salve your wounds with the knowledge that they turned out to be the ‘unbeatable’ team.

Exactly.

Apart from which, who’d want to support the bloody Spaniards?

The Matildas will meet Sweden for the third place play-off on Saturday, 6pm. I’ll watch that one :)

19 shillings said:

The matildas did pretty good. Never made it to the quarters before.
England haven’t lost in 38 matches except to a friendly against Oz in the last 2 years.
I think they have done well..

They certainly did. And every accolade to them for that.

Now having got to the semis, and having seen the kind of play that’s needed to get beyond that point, it may be that players and coaches have learnt some very valuable lessons from it all.

captain_spalding said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Surely supporters of losing semi-final teams should support the team they lost to. so they can then claim joint second place, rather than fourth.

Of course. You want the team that defeated your team to win the competition, so that you can salve your wounds with the knowledge that they turned out to be the ‘unbeatable’ team.

Logic doesn’t enter into discussions on which sporting teams you like or dislike.

party_pants said:

captain_spalding said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Surely supporters of losing semi-final teams should support the team they lost to. so they can then claim joint second place, rather than fourth.

Of course. You want the team that defeated your team to win the competition, so that you can salve your wounds with the knowledge that they turned out to be the ‘unbeatable’ team.

Logic doesn’t enter into discussions on which sporting teams you like or dislike.

I don’t like seeing England win anything. A lot of other English people are like that, too :)

party_pants said:

captain_spalding said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Surely supporters of losing semi-final teams should support the team they lost to. so they can then claim joint second place, rather than fourth.

Of course. You want the team that defeated your team to win the competition, so that you can salve your wounds with the knowledge that they turned out to be the ‘unbeatable’ team.

Logic doesn’t enter into discussions on which sporting teams you like or dislike.

It may be that we have to wait until the game itself, to decide which team is playing the dirtier game, taking more dives, and generally being the less likeable, before we assign our allegiance.

Anyway, several of the Matildas play for English teams. Sam Kerr plays for Chelsea in the FA Women’s Super League.

captain_spalding said:

19 shillings said:

The matildas did pretty good. Never made it to the quarters before.
England haven’t lost in 38 matches except to a friendly against Oz in the last 2 years.
I think they have done well..

They certainly did. And every accolade to them for that.

Now having got to the semis, and having seen the kind of play that’s needed to get beyond that point, it may be that players and coaches have learnt some very valuable lessons from it all.

That’s what they do it all for.

Bubblecar said:

Anyway, several of the Matildas play for English teams. Sam Kerr plays for Chelsea in the FA Women’s Super League.

Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord both play for Arsenal.

captain_spalding said:

party_pants said:

captain_spalding said:

Of course. You want the team that defeated your team to win the competition, so that you can salve your wounds with the knowledge that they turned out to be the ‘unbeatable’ team.

Logic doesn’t enter into discussions on which sporting teams you like or dislike.

It may be that we have to wait until the game itself, to decide which team is playing the dirtier game, taking more dives, and generally being the less likeable, before we assign our allegiance.

We were beaten by Hemp.

Ah well England were the better side.

dv said:

Ah well England were the better side.

Smelly and uncharismatic though they may be, they did outplay the home team, but as was opined in this thread, at least some of that was due to the Oz idea that “allowing themselves to be outplayed” was no real impediment to winning.

6pm tomorrow, the last match of the World Cup (the final is dead to me) as Matildas meet Sweden for the third place playoff.

Channel 7mate which is channel 63 on my telly.

Third place play-off coming up shortly, 6pm.

Should be a more relaxed game with possibly some good goals, now that the poms and Spanish have stolen the final, via their rotten strategy of playing better.

Bubblecar said:

Third place play-off coming up shortly, 6pm.

Should be a more relaxed game with possibly some good goals, now that the poms and Spanish have stolen the final, via their rotten strategy of playing better.

don’t bet on it being a more relaxed game by any stretch… Sweden are ranked No.2 in the world. it’s going to be a very tough match for us

Bubblecar said:

Third place play-off coming up shortly, 6pm.

Should be a more relaxed game with possibly some good goals, now that the poms and Spanish have stolen the final, via their rotten strategy of playing better.

Bound to win with this degree of support!

OCDC said:

Bubblecar said:

Third place play-off coming up shortly, 6pm.

Should be a more relaxed game with possibly some good goals, now that the poms and Spanish have stolen the final, via their rotten strategy of playing better.

Bound to win with this degree of support!

No wonder they lost the semifinal.

diddly-squat said:

Bubblecar said:

Third place play-off coming up shortly, 6pm.

Should be a more relaxed game with possibly some good goals, now that the poms and Spanish have stolen the final, via their rotten strategy of playing better.

don’t bet on it being a more relaxed game by any stretch… Sweden are ranked No.2 in the world. it’s going to be a very tough match for us

Hopefully there’s been a re-think over the disastrous strategy employed in the semi-final.

Albo’s in the crowd again.

Bubblecar said:

Albo’s in the crowd again.

Eddies in the space-time continuum.

Oz being outplayed again.

Bubblecar said:

Oz being outplayed again.

ah well, you get that in big tournaments. You actually have to be good, can’t just do it all on luck and patriotism.

Bubblecar said:

Oz being outplayed again.

Same strategy as before?

Take it down the outside (‘mid-field’, ‘cross-field’ what are those?) hope for a chance to cross-kick to the goal area (or for a corner kick), and depend on Sam Kerr to head it into the net?

Looking more spirited from the Matildas now.

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

Oz being outplayed again.

Same strategy as before?

Take it down the outside (‘mid-field’, ‘cross-field’ what are those?) hope for a chance to cross-kick to the goal area (or for a corner kick), and depend on Sam Kerr to head it into the net?

They weren’t getting much possession and the Swedes pretty much controlling it all, but Oz are looking a bit brighter now.

Bubblecar said:

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

Oz being outplayed again.

Same strategy as before?

Take it down the outside (‘mid-field’, ‘cross-field’ what are those?) hope for a chance to cross-kick to the goal area (or for a corner kick), and depend on Sam Kerr to head it into the net?

They weren’t getting much possession and the Swedes pretty much controlling it all, but Oz are looking a bit brighter now.

So, they finally realised that, in a match against Sweden, any strategy proposed by a coach named Gustavsson might best be disregarded?

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

captain_spalding said:

Same strategy as before?

Take it down the outside (‘mid-field’, ‘cross-field’ what are those?) hope for a chance to cross-kick to the goal area (or for a corner kick), and depend on Sam Kerr to head it into the net?

They weren’t getting much possession and the Swedes pretty much controlling it all, but Oz are looking a bit brighter now.

So, they finally realised that, in a match against Sweden, any strategy proposed by a coach named Gustavsson might best be disregarded?

Well spotted.

Penalty for Sweden. Harsh decision.

1-0 Sweden, but they’re attracting much boos.

Bubblecar said:

1-0 Sweden, but they’re attracting much boos.

Is ‘boos’ a Swedish word for something?

What ever happened to the Swedish Chef.

Rolfo.

Australia still under intense pressure.

Can’t see them salvaging this unless they find a shedload more inspiration in Part Two.

Bubblecar said:

Australia still under intense pressure.

Can’t see them salvaging this unless they find a shedload more inspiration in Part Two.

According to the Grauniad’s live commentary, Aus have only 37% possesion.

Are they still adhering to Gustavsson’s semi-final idea of ‘don’t challenge them for the ball, just wait for miracles to happen’?

Bubblecar said:

Australia still under intense pressure.

Can’t see them salvaging this unless they find a shedload more inspiration in Part Two.

The technical term for Part Two is whats called the second half.

Getting very “physical”.

Peak Warming Man said:

Bubblecar said:

Australia still under intense pressure.

Can’t see them salvaging this unless they find a shedload more inspiration in Part Two.

The technical term for Part Two is whats called the second half.

I like to think of football matches as two-act plays.

Bubblecar said:

Getting very “physical”.

‘Us’ or ‘them’?

Dodgy ref finally blows the whistle for half time.

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

Getting very “physical”.

‘Us’ or ‘them’?

Both.

Bubblecar said:

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

Getting very “physical”.

‘Us’ or ‘them’?

Both.

Good-oh. Bring back the biff. It’s the only language the Scandinavians understand.

Tense

dv said:

Tense

It’s tiring to watch.

We’ve needed an Aussie goal for so long.

Bubblecar said:

dv said:

Tense

It’s tiring to watch.

We’ve needed an Aussie goal for so long.

I can’t hear the commentary for the crowd.

Matilda subs coming on, let’s hope it makes a difference.

Vine and van Egmont on…

2-0 to Sweden, the game’s over.

TBH it was looking bad for Oz from the get go.

Ah fuck

dv said:

Ah fuck

Telly’s off here, I’m going to read a cosy story.

Bubblecar said:

2-0 to Sweden, the game’s over.

TBH it was looking bad for Oz from the get go.

Yep, time to head for the exit, get a jump on the car-park rush.

Just like against England, they aren’t passing the ball to Australians. They keep giving it to the other side.

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

2-0 to Sweden, the game’s over.

TBH it was looking bad for Oz from the get go.

Yep, time to head for the exit, get a jump on the car-park rush.

You wont get to see the great comeback.

Peak Warming Man said:

captain_spalding said:

Bubblecar said:

2-0 to Sweden, the game’s over.

TBH it was looking bad for Oz from the get go.

Yep, time to head for the exit, get a jump on the car-park rush.

You wont get to see the great comeback.

Not going to happen.

But fair enough, the Matildas did very well indeed to reach this stage. Certainly showed the Socceroos what’s possible :)

roughbarked said:

Just like against England, they aren’t passing the ball to Australians. They keep giving it to the other side.

The Matildas need a new coach.

They’ve been too passive in this and the semis, and even in the quarter-finals.

Gustavsson got them a long way on the journey, but his ideas don’t bear up under the heat of competition from teams who are able to fight it through to the finishing rounds.

In sport, whatever the game, there’s often a time for passivity, but there’s an absolute need for aggression, and that’s pretty much mandatory in the last rounds.

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

Just like against England, they aren’t passing the ball to Australians. They keep giving it to the other side.

The Matildas need a new coach.

They’ve been too passive in this and the semis, and even in the quarter-finals.

Gustavsson got them a long way on the journey, but his ideas don’t bear up under the heat of competition from teams who are able to fight it through to the finishing rounds.

In sport, whatever the game, there’s often a time for passivity, but there’s an absolute need for aggression, and that’s pretty much mandatory in the last rounds.

Well it isn’t happening.

Well let’s temper the criticism. This is the best result for the team, ever. They have deficiencies and the better teams have worked them out but they are the 10th ranked team in the world and they made it to the semifinals.

dv said:

Well let’s temper the criticism. This is the best result for the team, ever. They have deficiencies and the better teams have worked them out but they are the 10th ranked team in the world and they made it to the semifinals.

Aye.

dv said:

Well let’s temper the criticism. This is the best result for the team, ever. They have deficiencies and the better teams have worked them out but they are the 10th ranked team in the world and they made it to the semifinals.

Yes.

6 mins added on.

dv said:

Well let’s temper the criticism. This is the best result for the team, ever. They have deficiencies and the better teams have worked them out but they are the 10th ranked team in the world and they made it to the semifinals.

The boost that they have given the sport in Australia, and women’s sports in general is probably the biggest legacy. I can’t recall any other women’s sporting event in Australia being so widely covered and hyped up in the mainstream media.

party_pants said:

dv said:

Well let’s temper the criticism. This is the best result for the team, ever. They have deficiencies and the better teams have worked them out but they are the 10th ranked team in the world and they made it to the semifinals.

The boost that they have given the sport in Australia, and women’s sports in general is probably the biggest legacy. I can’t recall any other women’s sporting event in Australia being so widely covered and hyped up in the mainstream media.

In the world.

Bit of a tired free kick there

Bubblecar said:

dv said:

Well let’s temper the criticism. This is the best result for the team, ever. They have deficiencies and the better teams have worked them out but they are the 10th ranked team in the world and they made it to the semifinals.

Aye.

Is someone suitably outraged, are they? Absolutely appalled? Demanding resignations?? Insisting on engaging PWC or KPMG , at the taxpayers expense, as consultants to make some recommendation and prepare a report for the coroner?

Aaaand that’s all she wrote

captain_spalding said:

diddly-squat said:

Bubblecar said:

Third place play-off coming up shortly, 6pm.

Should be a more relaxed game with possibly some good goals, now that the poms and Spanish have stolen the final, via their rotten strategy of playing better.

don’t bet on it being a more relaxed game by any stretch… Sweden are ranked No.2 in the world. it’s going to be a very tough match for us

Hopefully there’s been a re-think over the disastrous strategy employed in the semi-final.

in general, we’ve played with the same 4/4/2 formation the entire tournament. In the semi the Matildas were out muscled by Eng.. they played with 5 across the midfield and that restricted the passing lanes we’d been exploiting in the early knock out games. Sweden just have better quality players in virtually every position and as a consequence they won the one-on-one match-ups.

The way I read the comp is (1) we were able to play well with out Sam (which is something that was in question) and (2) we got really lucky in the quarter final.

Great job by the team though.. I’ve really enjoyed watching them play.