GROUP C
The group which is all about getting second place, unless you’re the USA.
USA
The Americans have the strongest women’s league and, as you’ve probably heard, are the team to beat in the tournament. Anything other than an appearance in the final will be deemed as a dark day for the Yanks.
The team are strong all the way through. Originally a striker, the ever vocal Hope Solo commands from between the sticks, in the midfield Shannon ‘Box-to-box’ Boxx (yes, that is a real surname) will look to supply the likes of Abby Wambach and Amy Rodriguez.
North Korea
Yep – I was surprised they were in this as well. Turns out that North Korea are a dab hand at the game, always performing strongly in the Asian cup and continually rolling out disciplined and well organised sides. Though their league is inherently quite insular progress is being made and in September 2010 Middlesbrough Ladies’ Team went on a tour there.
Jo Yun-Mi is the team star, winner of the MVP in the 2010 Asian cup and awards in North Korea include Labour Hero and People’s Athlete. With The USA in the group the scrap for second place with Sweden looks a feasible option.
Yep – I was surprised they were in this as well. Turns out that North Korea are a dab hand at the game, always performing strongly in the Asian cup and continually rolling out disciplined and well organised sides. Though their league is inherently quite insular progress is being made and in September 2010 Middlesbrough Ladies’ Team went on a tour there.
Jo Yun-Mi is the team star, winner of the MVP in the 2010 Asian cup and awards in North Korea include Labour Hero and People’s Athlete. With The USA in the group the scrap for second place with Sweden looks a feasible option.
Colombia
Las Cafeteras are making their debut in this World Cup and arriving with a sound endorsement from Carlos Valderrama. Having done well at U17 and U20 level the idea is that this team will be the beginning of greater things. Last year they were runners up in the South American Championship. And yes, Carlos still has that hair. Fantastic.
Moving onto the pitch the 17 year old Yoreli Rincon is expected to be the main attacking threat from midfield. Still a teen but her move up the ranks is indicative of her talent. Upfront Ingrid Vidal and Cataline Usme will look to score the goals. Realistically though getting second place ahead of Sweden or Korea will be very difficult.
Las Cafeteras are making their debut in this World Cup and arriving with a sound endorsement from Carlos Valderrama. Having done well at U17 and U20 level the idea is that this team will be the beginning of greater things. Last year they were runners up in the South American Championship. And yes, Carlos still has that hair. Fantastic.
Moving onto the pitch the 17 year old Yoreli Rincon is expected to be the main attacking threat from midfield. Still a teen but her move up the ranks is indicative of her talent. Upfront Ingrid Vidal and Cataline Usme will look to score the goals. Realistically though getting second place ahead of Sweden or Korea will be very difficult.
Sweden
In the 90s and through to the 2003 tournament Sweden were strong performers, this has dipped and in 2007 didn’t get past the group stage. The Blueyellows (yes, that is their nickname) will be looking to get back into form and back to old habits.
As expected the team have strength in depth, Lotta Schelin was compared to Zlatan Ibrihamivoc by coach Peter Bonde (from a safe distance presumably). This comparison wasn’t seen as fair as Schelin has been seen to actually move in the games she plays in. Midfielder and skipper Caroline Seger will look to impress whilst the defence has largely stayed the same since the 2007 tournament adding continuity.
In the 90s and through to the 2003 tournament Sweden were strong performers, this has dipped and in 2007 didn’t get past the group stage. The Blueyellows (yes, that is their nickname) will be looking to get back into form and back to old habits.
As expected the team have strength in depth, Lotta Schelin was compared to Zlatan Ibrihamivoc by coach Peter Bonde (from a safe distance presumably). This comparison wasn’t seen as fair as Schelin has been seen to actually move in the games she plays in. Midfielder and skipper Caroline Seger will look to impress whilst the defence has largely stayed the same since the 2007 tournament adding continuity.
Group C Fixtures28th June USA v N. Korea 17:15 28th June Colombia v Sweden 14:00 2nd July USA v Colombia 17:00 2nd July N. Korea v Sweden 13:00 6th July Sweden v USA 19:45 6th July N. Korea v Colombia 19:45 (For the full Word Cup fixture list click here) |
Results2-0 0-1 3-0 0-1 2-1 0-0 |
Group C table
P W D L F A PTS
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