Groups A & B - Recaps

Most Interesting day of action. I missed out on all my predictions but the surprises were mostly pleasant.

Group A - Argentina v Japan
Exit Vanina Correa. Enter Romina Ferro as Argentine goalkeeper. Japan controlled the match but didn’t dominate in the way Germany did. It took a stoppage time winner by Nagasato to win the three points for Japan. This places Japan in 2nd place going into their final match against Germany. Can they hold Germany to a draw as England did? Don’t think so but that’s why they play the matches, right? Japan 1 Argentina 0

FIFA Recap:
http://www.fifa.com/womenworldcup/matches/round=248549/match=56311/index.html

Group A – Germany v England
What a great defensive effort by Faye White (a Tony Adams like performance), Anita Asanate, Rachel Brown and the entire England squad. Germany just couldn’t crack this stouthearted England defense and ended up splitting the points. It wasn’t all Germany either. Kelly Smith (assisted by Karen Carney, Alex Scott, & Rachel Yankey) did her best to keep German defenders honest and alert. It certainly was a tense riveting match as fans watched to see if Germany would eventually break through. Not to be. Germany with their huge victory against Argentina looks to be secure. England must beat Argentina by 2 goals and hope that Germany doesn’t settle for another draw against Japan.
Germany 0 England 0

BBC recap:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/women/6993008.stm

Group B - Sweden v USA
Perhaps not the greatest team at this point but with Abby Wambach up front, they still have quick strike capability. Sweden pushed the USA early but ultimately could not convert their opportunities. A goalkeeping error set up a penalty which Wambach converted to go into halftime at 1-0. The second half saw Wambach extend the lead with a tremendous half volley. A few chances for each side amounted to nothing and now the USA squad can win the group with a strong performance against Nigeria. Sweden must defeat North Korea by 3-0 to advance to the knockout stage.
USA 2 Sweden 0

US Soccer recap:
http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_2424834.html

Group B - Nigeria v North Korea
Two goals to the back post from corners put North Korea well on the road to qualifying for the knockout stages. The loss of concentration by Nigeria put them on the verge of elimination.
North Korea 2 Nigeria 0

FIFA recap:
http://www.fifa.com/womenworldcup/matches/round=248549/match=56316/index.html