The Tokyo Summer Olympics is off and running and we've already been treated to dramatic upsets, high-scoring results and plenty of surprises in the opening matchday of the women's soccer tournament. The United States WNT were stunned by a familiar foe in Sweden, who eliminated them in the Rio Olympics in 2016. The Netherlands scored 10 goals against debutants Zambia and Brazil made history as Marta scored in her fifth consecutive Olympic tournament and Formiga appeared in her seventh Olympic Games in a rout over China. Let's rank every nation based on their opening performance and see where things shake out our Olympic power rankings.
1. Sweden
Absolutely balled out in their opening group-stage match against tournament favorite United States as they won 3-0. Did well to expose space and capitalize on set piece opportunities. Spent the first half pressing one of the best teams in the world completely out of the match. They were one of the favorites coming in and it's hard to see how they aren't the favorite after that performance.
Want more coverage of women's soccer? Listen below and make sure to follow Attacking Third, A Tri-weekly CBS Soccer Podcast devoted to bringing you everything you need to know from the NWSL and around the globe.
2. Netherlands
Put up a double digits against Zambia as they defeated the African debutants 10-3. And while Zambia isn't the stiffest of competition, 10 goals is 10 goals no matter who you play. It's a fine Olympic debut for the Netherlands women soccer team and their star striker Vivianne Miedema who scored four herself to catapult to the top of the scoring charts.
3. Brazil
Marta keeps being Marta. She's an iconic legend and she scored twice while her team defeated China 5-0 with strong performance. She's now made history by scoring in five consecutive Olympic tournaments. Also, she sings.
4. Great Britain
Defeated Chile 2-0 as Manchester City's Ellen White scored a brace for Great Britain against the solid defensive-minded South American side. It wasn't a flashy performance, but it got the job done for Team GB.
5. Australia
The Matildas defeated their Oceania rivals New Zealand 2-1 with goals from Tameka Yallop and Sam Kerr. There are still questions around the backline as a late goal was conceded. You'd have liked to see them start working on their goal difference a bit more since they're in a group where the USWNT and Sweden are favored to to advance, which could pit them as one of the top third-place teams. If that does come to fruition, it could come down to just how badly they beat up the minnows.
6. Japan
Played to a 1-1 draw on a come-from-behind effort thanks to Mana Iwabuchi's 84th minute equalizer. It's a solid result for the hosts, but it's also an indictment on why the hosts aren't among the favorites for gold.
7. Canada
Had to settle for a 1-1 draw against the tournament host Japan, but got their offense going thanks to their long-time goal scorer Christine Sinclair. A draw isn't the end of the world, but for a side that's considered one of the best in the world, they'll need to improve if they want to end up in medal contention.
8. United States
The burden of great expectations. They had their 44-game unbeaten streak snapped in a stunning 3-0 loss to Sweden. They will need to hit the reset button quickly as they're now at the bottom of Group G standings after the loss. Are they still one of the best -- if not the best -- teams in the tournament? Probably. Are they one more shock result away from the most stunning group stage exit in the history of the sport? Definitely, yes.
9. Zambia
The Olympic debutants suffered a debilitating10-3 loss, but somehow still managed to introduce themselves to the world stage thanks a hat-trick from Babra Banda. Do they get bonus points for coming in with zero expectations and providing us all with a memorable moment? Of course they do.
10. New Zealand
Lost their opening match to Australia 2-1. The team hasn't had much time together ahead of the Olympics but can find a silver lining in Gabi Rennie scoring a late goal off the bench. They've got the USWNT up next on Saturday.
11. Chile
Lost their first group match to Great Britain 2-0, the team has an organized defense and star goalkeeper in Tiane Endler but will need to do more in the attack if they want to get out of the group.
12. China
Lost their opening match 5-0 to Brazil and had little answers for the attack throughout the match.
"8" - Google News
July 21, 2021 at 11:10PM
https://ift.tt/3iCEgZt
Olympic Soccer Power Rankings: USWNT freefall to No. 8 after Sweden upset; Netherlands and Brazil shine - CBS Sports
"8" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2z1PBPz
https://ift.tt/3c1rzCJ
No comments:
Post a Comment