Early Impressions of the FWWC

After just three match days in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, one thing has stood out for me from following the matches. In previous tournaments, teams like the United States and other top sides would run rampant over all other opponents. In the 2007 tournament, winners Germany did not concede a goal to emphasis their dominance. But this time around in the 2011 addition, increasing parody has been on display with only one of the six matches played so far being won by more than one goal (USA 2-0 North Korea).

The growing parody in women's soccer has really been displayed by tight results in matches where one team is heavily favored over the other. Two matches really stand out for me: Japan-New Zealand and Sweden-Columbia. In both matches the eventual winners, Japan and Sweden, were heavily favored based upon world rankings entering the tournament. New Zealand came out and gave Japan a real fight, narrowly loosing 2-1 from a free kick from a nearly perfect position. Columbia may have been lucky to loose only 1-0 to Sweden after clearing the ball off the line twice and the Swedes missing other good chances but they still put out a good effort in their debut match in the FWWC. The young Columbian side held the lion's share of the possession and made the 5th ranked side work hard for their win.

Today's match between the United States and North Korea was the first match that ended with a goal margin greater than one goal. The top ranked side won 2-0 but it was not a comfortable match. The North Koreans did not sit back against the Americans in the two sides 4th straight meeting at the World Cup. The first half was full of excitement with end to end action. The North Koreans took advantage of a weakness on the American's left flank and threatened the goal with a number of tempting crosses asking for a finish. A tactical change at the half let the American's take control of the game and made the break through thanks to some sloppy defending. The US finally stuck to their game plan after the interval which was to get wide and take advantage of their size in the box while an interesting shift in personal by North Korea seemed to change their approach to the game and saw them sit back a bit more.

Group D kicks off tomorrow and from the little I know about the women's game, I think this display of new found parody will come to an end. Norway are former champions and take on minnows Equatorial Guinea. Norway are heavily favored and seemed poised to pile on the misery on the Africans. The other match in the group in Brazil versus Australia. The game is developing very well in Australia and has seen their women's national team improve but Marta will have something to say for Brazil. The 5 time player of the year is one of the greatest women's soccer players of all time and will be the main threat for the Brazilians. Australia will have a hard time handling the women's version of Lionel Messi. I expect to see some goals tomorrow, especially from Norway against the 61st ranked team in the world.

This year's addition of the FIFA Women's World Cup has really changed my opinion of the women's game. The gap between the men's and women's game is not as obvious as I expected it to be which makes it worth watching. Stay tuned to the blog and Rogers Sportsnet and CBC for continuing coverage of the FIFA Women's World Cup from Germany, the "Beautiful Side of 20Eleven."