Tokyo Olympics has ‘unofficially’ begun, with the opening ceremony scheduled Friday July 23rd. The women’s football tournament kicked-off Wednesday July 21st, twelve (12) teams, three (3) groups, six (6) fixtures.
GROUP E
Great Britain 2 – 0 Chile
GB started off their Olympics campaign on the right note. In the opening 10 minutes Ellen White’s first shot was ruled offside. GB scored their first goal when Lucy Bronze (FIFA 2020 Player of the Year) crossed the ball and Lauren Hemp could not get her head on the ball. White scored the goal after a few seconds of scrabbling in Chile’s box. At the 73rd minute, White got her chance at a brace through a pass by Bronze.
Chile were not allowed to play to their strengths of quick on the ball movement. GB were able to isolate their players and limit their options. Chile had no real solution for Hemp’s speed down the left flank. Tiane Endler a world class goal keeper has kept the tournament within their reach. In what could come down to goal differemce.
Great Britain Squad
Starting XI – Ellie Roebuck (GK), Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh, Steph Houghton, Kim Little, Ellen White, Caroline Weir, Rachel Daly, Millie Bright, Lauren Hemp, Georgia Stanway
Used Substitutes – Sophie Ingle, Nikita Parris, Jill Scott, Ella Toone
Unused Substitutes – Demi Stokes, Carly Telford, Leah Williamson
Chile Squad
Starting XI – Tiane Endler (GK), Carla Guerrero, Francisca Lara, Nayadet Opazo, Karen Araya, Maria Urrutia, Yanara Aedo, Yessenia Lopez, Daniela Pardo, Daniela Zamora, Camila Saez
Used Substitutes – Yenny Acuna, Rosario Balmaceda, Francisca Mardones
Unused Substitutes – Fernanda Ramirez, Natalia Campos, Javiera Toro, Javiera Grez
Japan 1 – 1 Canada
Canada started really fast scoring the opening goal at the sixth minute by Christine Sinclair who became one of a select few players to earn 300 caps. Japan took their time to settle into the game. Labbe conceded a penalty but was able to save it even after sustaining an injury. Japan got back into their usual rhythm of progressing the ball up the field with quick accurate passes. They were able to level the score keeping their hopes for advancing further within reach.
Japan Squad
Starting XI – Sakiko Ikeda (GK), Risa Shimizu, Saki Kumagai, Moeka Minami, Emi Nakajima, Narumi Muira, Yuika Sugasawa, Mana Iwabuchi, Yuzuho Shiokoshi, Yui Hasegawa, Nanami Kitamura
Used Substitutes – Hina Sugita, Mina Tanaka, Jun Endo, Yuka Momiki
Unused Substitutes – Saori Takarada, Asato Miyagawa, Ayaka Yamashita
Canada Squad
Starting XI – Stephanie Labbe (GK), Allysha Chapman, Kadeisha Buchanan, Shelina Zadorsky, Quinn, Ashley Lawrence, Desiree Scott, Christine Sinclair, Nichelle Prince, Janine Beckie, Jessie Fleming
Used Substitutes – Kailen Sheridan, Evelyne Viens, Adriana Leon, Deanne Rose
Unused Substitutes – Julia Grosso, Jayde Riviere, Vanessa Gilles
| Position | Country | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Great Britain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| Canada | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Japan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Chile | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
GROUP F
China 0 – 5 Brazil
The Brazilians were able to hold the top 10 ranked China at bay. Making sure that China barely got any momentum all through the game. Brazil with stars like Formiga who became the first footballer to participate in eight Olympics game at 42. Marta scored a brace to ensure China never stood a chance. Overall the Brazilians had an organized attack and defence. China were not able to overcome Brazils physicality.
China Squad
Starting XI – Shimeng Peng (GK), Mengwen Li, Qingtong Li, Xin Zhang, Shuang Wang, Yan Wang, Siwen Miao, Shanshan Wang, Lina Yang, Xiaoxue Wang, Guiping Luo
Used Substitutes – Jing Liu, Wurigumula, Yuyi Xiao
Unused Substitutes – Yuping Lin, Man Yang, Qiaozhu Chen, Xuan Ding
Brazil Squad
Starting XI – Barbara (GK), Erika, Rafaelle, Tamires, Duda, Formiga, Debinha, Marta Silva, Bruna Benites, Beatriz, Andressinha
Used Substitutes – Julia, Ludmila, Andressa
Unused Substitutes – Poliana, Jucinara, Geyse, Leticia
Zambia 3 – 10 Netherlands
This game look like it was over by the 40th minute when the world class Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema was able to score a first half hattrick. She became the fourth woman in Olympics history to score a hattrick. By the second half she became only the second player to score four goals in a single game. The game was won long before the final whistle but Banda, the Zambian captain, got her chance to write her name in the history books by becoming the first African female footballer to score an hattrick in an Olympics game.
Zambia Squad
Starting XI – Hazel Nali (GK), Lushomo Mweemba, Esther Siamfuko, Anita Mulenga, Mary Wilombe, Margaret Belemu, Hellen Mubanga, Grace Chanda, Barbra Banda, Avell Chitundu, Ireen Lungu
Used Substitutes – Ochumba Lubandji, Agness Musase, Esther Mukwasa
Unused Substitutes – Catherine Musonda, Fikile Khosa, Evarine Katongo, Hellen Chanda
Netherlands Squad
Starting XI – Sari van Veenendaal (GK), Stefanie van der Gragt, Aniek Nouwen, Merel van Dongen, Jill Roord, Shanice van de Sanden, Vivianne Miedema, Danielle van de Donk, Lieke Martens, Jackie Groenen, Dominque Janssen
Used Substitutes – Victoria Pelova, Lineth Beerensteyn, Renate Jansen, Kika van Es, Lynn Wilms
Unused Substitutes – Sisca Folkertsma, Lize Kop
| Position | Country | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Netherlands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 3 | |
| Brazil | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 | |
| China | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 | |
| Zambia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 10 | -7 | 0 |
GROUP G
Sweden 3 – 0 United States
All eyes were on this fixture, USWNT have been dominant for the last couple of years. But Sweden has been the team that that has been able to get results against them. Knocking them out in Rio 2016, playing a draw (1-1) in their last friendly to end a 16 game win record. This recent loss to Sweden has ended the world’s champion 30+ game unbeaten record.
Sweden dictated the flow of the game forcing USWNT to play their way. USWNT were limited to the plays they could make and Sweden cut out the connection between their midfield and attack. The scoreline is indicative of the whole game. Sweden were solid defensively and able to play together effectively.
Sweden Squad
Starting XI – Hedvig Lindahl (GK), Jonna Andersson, Hanna Glas, Kosovare Asllani, Sofia Jakobsson, Stina Blackstenius, Amanda Ilestedt, Nathalie Bjorn, Filippa Angeldal, Caroline Seger, Fridolina Rolfo
Used Substitutes – Hanna Bennison, Madelen Janogy, Lina Hurtig, Olivia Schough, Julia Roddar
Unused Substitutes – Emma Kullberg, Jennifer Falk
United States Squad
Starting XI – Alyssa Naeher (GK), Crystal Dunn, Sam Mewis, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelly O’Hara, Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan, Christen Press, Alex Morgan, Rose Lavelle, Abby Dahlkemper
Used Substitutes – Kristie Mewis, Julie Ertz, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, Tierna Davidson
Unused Substitutes – Emily Sonnett, Adrianna Franch
Australia 2 – 1 New Zealand
Australia controlled the pace of the game, putting pressure on New Zealand’s defence from the left flank. Pressure which made New Zealand to play long balls trying to relieve pressure making them unable to formulate fluid attack plays. Chelsea forward Sam Kerr was able to get a goal and an assist. At the closing minutes of the game New Zealand were able to get a goal through substitute Rennie.
Australia Squad
Starting XI – Lydia Williams (GK), Sam Kerr, Clare Polkinghorne, Aivi Luik, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Emily Van Egmond, Ellie Carpenter, Tameka Yallop, Hayley Raso, Kyah Simon
Used Substitutes – Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler, Alanna Kennedy, Emily Gielnik
Unused Substitutes – Chloe Logarzo, Teagan Micah, Laura Brock
New Zealand Squad
Starting XI – Erin Nayler (GK), Ria Percival, Anna Green, CJ Bott, Meikayla Moore, Ali Riley, Abby Erceg, Olivia Chance, Betsy Hassett, Katie Bowen, Hannah Wilkinson
Used Substitutes – Claudia Bunge, Gabi Rennie, Paige Satchell, Daisy Cleverley
Unused Substitutes – Annalie Longo, Anna Leat, Marisa Van der Meer
| Position | Country | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Sweden | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | |
| Australia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 | |
| United States | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
GOALS TABLE
| Player | Goal | Country |
| Vivianne Miedema | 4 | Netherlands |
| Barbra Banda | 3 | Zambia |
| Ellen White | 2 | Great Britain |
| Marta Silva | 2 | Brazil |
| Lieke Martens | 2 | Netherlands |
| Stina Blackstenius | 2 | Sweden |
| Sam Kerr | 1 | Australia |
| Tameka Yallop | 1 | Australia |
| Andressa Silva | 1 | Brazil |
| Beatriz Joao | 1 | Brazil |
| Debinha Oliveira | 1 | Brazil |
| Christine Sinclair | 1 | Canada |
| Mana Iwabuchi | 1 | Japan |
| Jill Roord | 1 | Netherlands |
| Lineth Beerensteyn | 1 | Netherlands |
| Shanice Van de Sanden | 1 | Netherlands |
| Victoria Pelova | 1 | Netherlands |
| Gabi Rennie | 1 | New Zealand |
| Lina Hurtig | 1 | Sweden |
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