The US when breaking from their keeper need to be quicker, they have Vietnam stretched when they do that but their final passes in the attacking third have been messy and allow Vietnam to get numbers back. The space is there on those breaks but they keep wasting it.
WWC23 | England v Spain - Spain win the World Cup - and Rubiales gets sacked
- Thread starter jojojo
- Start date
Finally a proper attack by the US without the first touch of Lukaku.
Finally. They should get another goal or two before the end of this.
O'Hara is very lucky on that. It was a yellow card at the very least for such tackle.
That's what I was thinking as well. Could have been very nasty.
The constant hyping of the game against the Netherlands feel a bit over the top. It's clearly a better team than Vietnam but I still struggle to see them get anything against this US team. Especially with Miedema injured. Primarily because I don't expect the US to be as sloppy as today ...but anything can happy in a tourney.
You do understand the Netherlands played the US in the last WC final????
Rapinoe woeful. Time for her to hang up the boots. A lot of unfamiliar faces to me which is a good sign!
I fully expected another Thailand like thrashing so credit to Vietnam.
I fully expected another Thailand like thrashing so credit to Vietnam.
That was 4 years ago, they ve lost several of those players and some of the current team was demolished by England since. But hey the US has unknown factors too still so it could be interesting.
It had been coming for a while
That was a gorgeous goal too.
If it wasn't for those offside calls and a few good saves by the Zambian goalkeeper, this would be a cricket score in Japan's favor by now. Still 3-0 with an hour gone.
3-0 to Japan now and would have been worse except for a couple of offsides. Japan looking very much like a Japan team - nice football, good teamwork.
Zambia defended well for a time but Japan are too good at using the width to get locked out for long.
Zambia defended well for a time but Japan are too good at using the width to get locked out for long.
I’ve not seen any of the games yet, but from the scores it looks like they’ve been fairly competitive so far? Is that right? I don’t think it’s good for the women’s game when there are regular drubbings at major tournaments.
Probably the first match this tournament that's playing out the way the rankings said it should.
Only been watching this for about 15 minutes but Japan are looking really good against Zambia, they’re carving out chances for fun and putting Zambia under pressure every time they have the ball. 4-0 at the moment and they could’ve had another 2 or 3.
There was some talk of Japan perhaps struggling in this tournament, but based on this I think they have as much of a chance as anyone except USA.
There was some talk of Japan perhaps struggling in this tournament, but based on this I think they have as much of a chance as anyone except USA.
Exactly what I thought. It's a culture that filters through to their teams in other sports too.
Japan womens and men’s teams are always nice to watch. Technically brilliant sides
Football's a hard game. Red card for the Zambian keeper in the eighth minute of added time.
Russo starting for England - I thought it would be Daly as shes had a better season
Goals have been a problem recently but should be a matter of how many Vs Haiti
Goals have been a problem recently but should be a matter of how many Vs Haiti
Great save from the penalty but has to be retaken.
While already 4-0 down. Ouch.
And now the retake has gone in. Such a sad ending for Zambia.
Zambia's third choice (first choice got injured) keeper saves the first penalty with her first touch as an international. But reality kicks in and the penalty had to be retaken and Japan score. I can't help but think they should have let her have that one 
5-0 at ft.
5-0 at ft.
Just as @jojojo mentioned earlier, it is the very first time that a team gets totally outclassed in the action and on the scoreline. It could easily have been 10-0 as the gulf in quality is what it is between Japan and Zambia.
There's a big gap between the teams made up of full-time pros and the rest. But we are now seeing more teams who have a couple of pro players and semipro players (often playing abroad) alongside home based talent.
You've also got national FAs like Ireland who having qualified were able to give their players short-term pro contracts. That means they can at least arrive fully fit and well drilled and they're training with pro coaches, even if most of the players aren't getting regular practice against strong opposition.
The number of players, teams snd leagues is on the rise as well in most countries, so the talent pool is starting to deepen. Even so, for a team like Zambia, Haiti or the Philippines this is a big leap.
Zambia lost their first choice keeper and one of their best players immediately before the tournament. Their manager is under investigation for sexual misconduct. Fair to say, they haven't had the best buildup.
Interesting to see Toone and Russo starting - neither of them were at their best last season with United. Maybe using them against Haiti to see just how good their form and confidence is now.
Lauren James and Rachel Daly get the first choice impact sub jobs today
Interesting to see Toone and Russo starting - neither of them were at their best last season with United. Maybe using them against Haiti to see just how good their form and confidence is now.
Lauren James and Rachel Daly get the first choice impact sub jobs today
Yeah, that and they made great impact from the bench in the Euros. Then again England are missing some players from the team that started most games last summer.
Rocky start
Good start from Haiti.
England being put under attack early on?
Now a good attack from England.
Lively start.
Bad miss by the Haitian striker on the break, but what the hell were the English Ds even doing?
Haiti with a good chance on the break there.
The odds of 51-1 on Haiti looking a bit daft right now
Maya le Tissier not even in the squad.
I hope they don't give a penalty for that, just a collission
Stonewall pen