USA-Canada and Australia-Sweden, women’s football semifinals | Olympic Games 2021

For football players playing these days Olympic Games The gold medal in Tokyo is as big a prize as winning the World Cup. Competitiveness proves it. With no age limits or coincidences on the calendar as with other international tournaments, just like the men’s tournament, the teams have come up with the best teams they can. Eight of the top ten countries in the FIFA rankings were in the quarterfinals this Friday and did not lose emotion. Canada Brazil (4-3) in a draw without a penalty shoot-out; Australia won 3-4 against Great Britain by three goals; The hosts lost 3-1 to Sweden; And, icing on the cake, repeat The final of the last World Cup, The Netherlands against the United States, ended in a shootout (2-4) after a 2-2 draw in 120 minutes. The two semi-finals to be held this Monday were all brought up: USA-Canada and Australia-Sweden.

The day began with Canada and Brazil at Miyagi Stadium, 350 kilometers north of Tokyo. Both teams have qualified second in their teams, thanks to their stylistic experience of playing with direct style and toughness. The Canadians were led by their captain, 38-year-old attacking midfielder Christine Sinclair, while Brazil was in midfield. Marta, 35, scored five different versions of the legendary Formica, the greatest footballer to ever play games at the age of 43.. However, the game progressed without a goal for 120 minutes. In penalties, Sinclair appeared to be at the start of Brazil when Marta scored following her mistake. However, the Canadians rallied to win 4-3 thanks to two key saves from goalkeeper Labbe.

When that party competed, Australia and Great Britain delivered endless emotions. At the time of regulation, the Modildas, As the Australian team was known, they began to win despite British pressure. In the second half, England forward Ellen White doubled in the 10th minute – an accurate header from a penalty spot and a cross shot into the defenders – highlighted Great Britain in the 66th minute. Chelsea striker Sam Kerr, Australia’s top scorer for 90 in one minute, got the ball to his chest and leveled the game with a long-range shot.

The breathtaking heat in extra time was not enough to slow down the game that took place at the end and end of each play. After a penalty missed by the British, their rivals scored two goals in three minutes, but the Europeans refused to give up. Ellen White scored in her Triple 115 and she and her teammates besieged Australia’s goal until the final, but it was not enough.

At noon in Spain, the play did not take place when they faced the worst team in the quarterfinals, Sweden, ranked 10th in the FIFA rankings, the only team to win all three matches in the group stage, including a 3-0 victory over world champions the United States. The outcome of this fight was even more predictable. The Swedes won 3-1 comfortably, despite the Japanese effort and pride on their own turf, ensuring their ability to control the game and maturity to advance to victory without much depreciation.

The main attraction of the afternoon was saved last. Four-time gold medalists the United States face the Netherlands two years after they met in the World Cup final in France. The Dutch were looking forward to revenge and waiting to score 21 goals in the group stage, in honor of the huge victories against Zambia and China, even with some hope. Americans, on the other hand, were nervous. The defeat against Sweden in the first game touched them and their attacking identity was affected, which was confirmed by a practical approach to a 0-for-0 draw against Australia, which would go into the quarter-finals for both.

After 18 minutes, the Netherlands scored the first goal of the season with a goal from Star Forward Vivian Maidema. But America came out with a different mindset, as if they had something to prove, with two goals in three minutes and they turned the game around after half an hour. The break came, the second half began and the Netherlands tried to use the momentum of the Barcelona attacking League Martens. At 54, Maidema completed her double race, with the tenth goal of the competition, the Olympic record, and the opening of the competition. The Dutch attacked again, but the North American Nair rejected them after each save, including a penalty in the 81st minute. The game went into extra time and it was not allowed from two games outside of the chaotic half hour each team. In the end everything was decided from 12 steps and again Naher was figurative with two stops.

The players of the four teams have a few days to recover physically from the effort of playing 120 minutes in the already highly favorable weather conditions in these games. If the competition for women’s football in these games continues until the semifinals, expect a lot from Monday’s tournament.

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