Recently in 2011 Women's World Cup Category

In Hope we trust!

The US women played their hearts out against Japan and they were in long spells the better team. They lost to a cruel lottery of penalty kicks.

Post match they showed their class. No grumbling. No wasted tears. As Hope Solo put it:

"We lost to a great team, we really did. Japan is a team that I've always had a lot of respect for, and I truly believe that something bigger was pulling for this team. As much as I've always wanted this, if there was any other team I could give this to it would have to be Japan. I'm happy for them and they do deserve it."

Keep your heads up, ladies. We will see you again soon in 2015. And I am not wrong in saying by that time there will be millions more to watch what has been an engrossing three weeks of football which has largely been void of the gamesmanship and cynicism that has soured so many off the men's version.

Japan's win over USA in the Women's World Cup final set a record 7,196 tweets per second (TPS). It was followed closely by the 7,196 TPS generated by the Brazil vs Paraguay in the closing minutes on the same day.

In comparison, the previous record set on New Years Eve in Japan in 2010 produced 6,939 TPS at its peak. Kate Middleton and Prince William's nuptials in April saw 3,966 TPS. Other huge volume events were the 2011 Super Bowl and this year's devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

These records will probably be eclipsed soon enough with the fact that 600,000 new users sign up daily for Twitter. It is interesting to note that the 2010 Men's World Cup finals did not figure in these records even though that match had its share of non-football related dramatic moments.

A beaming Homare Sawa shows of her Golden Boot. 5 goals in 6 matches, none bigger than the 116th minute equalizer against the USA in the finals. And who can forget her setting up Karina Maruyama for that extra time goal that torpedoed defending champions Germany?

Sawa also gave the Nadeshiko the lead for good against Sweden in the semi-finals with her improvisational skills. To top it all she captured the accolade of first ever hat trick this World Cup, all headers against Mexico in the group stage. It will take a herculean feat to top Sawa's accomplishments in subsequent World Cups.

Abby Wambach is feeling it!

The 1991 US team broke new ground winning the first ever World Cup and repeated the feat eight years later. By that time Michelle Akers, Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, and Kristine Lilly were household names. US women's soccer and success are so inextricably intertwined with those names leaving each succeeding squad aspiring to reach the same heights and write their names into history. It's a double edged sword providing both motivation and pressure at the same time.

Today, the US looks to a group that have that chance. Some like Abby Wambach, Shannon Boxx, and Christine Rampone have fought in previous World Cups but have come up short. This time around they have put into place some of the missing pieces that should give them their best chance in 12 years. Lauren Cheney is has having the tournament of her life and she has a partner in Heather O'Reilly who provide the cut and thrust down the flanks.

The US will have to take full advantage on the counterattacks because their opponents the Japanese have shown stifling control of the ball. The US still have the best attacking weapon in Abby Wambach who has found the net with some huge momentum changing goals. The danger with Japan's possession game is that she might be forced into ball retrieval duties leaving her in an disadvantaged position during the counterattacks. For that not to happen, the US needs to close down the gaps very quickly and throw the Japanese off their passing game. Homare Sawa is their metronome and there might be good reason to shadow her. It was Sawa who found Karina Maruyama to send the Germans out of the World Cup.

The Nadeshiko have also shown that they're no slouches when it comes to set pieces themselves with Aya Miyama the cream of the crop despite her short stature. She showed her ability to bend the ball around the taller Swedish defense and there is no reason to suspect that she might not do the same against the US.

One cause for optimism here is the US defense who were very good against a very organized French attack and in Hope Solo, they have the best custodian possible. An early goal will be a great way to begin and in both instances when the US has done so they have prevailed. Pia Sundhage can look to Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan for impact off the bench. The Japanese have not won against the USA in 26 encounters but this is a very different team. The US is favoured to win but the Nadeshiko have the emotional support of millions in the world.

szólj hozzá: Japan 3-1 Sweden

Josefine Oqvist's early goal flattered to deceive as Japan tightened the screws around Sweden and ran out 3-1 victors in an exhibition of Barca style touch football. Nahomi Kawasumi scored a brace and Homare Sawa added another for Japan. The Nadeshiko play their first World Cup final in one of the fastest ascents in world football.

szólj hozzá: France 1-3 United States

Lauren Cheney's goal and set piece assist proved vital to the US semi-final win over France. The US fought off a very impressive French attack and then launched some very opportunistic counterattacks against some questionable defending to prevail. Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan were the other US goalscorers. Sonia Bompastor scored for Les Bleus. The US now faces Japan in the finals on Sunday.

Two goals by impact player Nahomi Kawasumi

We can honestly report that the craft of football won this match. The Nadeshiko outclassed a physically superior Swedish team with their sophisticated possession, precision passing, and end product. There is no shame comparing them to Barcelona and Sweden to Man Utd because it resembled the Champions League final in scoreline as well as in the contrasting styles of football.

Like Xavi, Busquets, and Iniesta for Barca; Homare Sawa, Kozue Ando, and Aya Miyama painted pretty triangles of one touch football as Japan swamped the Swedish goal putting the goalie Hedvig Lindahl under tremendous pressure. Somewhat similar to Edwin Van Der Sar who did not have the best performance between the sticks for Utd, she too cracked, her weak parry of a cross falling to Sawa who lost in the melee of tall Swedish defenders improvised heading the ball in for Japan's second goal.

Lindahl minutes later was caught out of position as her weak clearance fell invitingly to Kawasumi who showed wonderful touch to lob the ball into an open goal. It was the midfielder's second goal, the first coming off a Miyama cross which took the Swedish defense by surprise with Kawasumi injecting herself in front of Josefine Oqvist to bundle the ball between Lindahl's legs for Japan's equalizer.

Sweden's first and only chance resulted in an Oqvist goal after the Swedish striker latched onto a Sawa mispass and then blew past the Japanese defense to finish like Rooney. It was a start that flattered to deceive because for the next 80+ minutes Sweden did not have any other meaningful attempt at goal. Lotta Schelin was completely shut out as the Swedes struggled to mount anything coherent. There was nothing remotely resembling the team that managed to get to the semi-finals unbeaten.

We can shake our heads in disbelief and wonder why Sweden with an average height advantage of 4" over Japan could not do better on set pieces. It was Jonathan Wilson who observed that Barca's possession football is a type of defense with its purpose to keep the ball away from the opponent. This is what the USA should bear in mind when facing an undersized Japan. The other thing to be heeded when Japan does lose the ball it sets about immediately regaining possession. But they're not just married to this philosophy as Miyama and Shinobu Ohno have shown to be extremely dangerous long distance threats.

This is a victory to be savoured by football purists. For those less invested in such matters this is a uplifting win for the Japanese. The past months have been extremely draining as the nation rebuilds after the devastating earthquakes and faces a long term nuclear nightmare. There is much to celebrate in the human spirit here.

Lauren Cheney: Her stunning goal and set piece assist lifted the USA over France

First, kudos have to go to the unsung US defense that battled a spectacular French side to no more damage than Sonia Bompastor's equalizer. Take a bow Christine Rampone, Amy LePeilbet, Ali Krieger, and especially Becky Sauerbrunn whose assured performance belied this being her World Cup debut.

In the second half, the French continued where they had left off from the first putting the USA to the sword riding on the scintillating performances by Louis Necib, Camile Abily, Gaetane Thiney, and Sonia Bompastor. The latter deservedly got the equalizer when Thiney missed her swerving cross and a distracted Solo could not recover in time to keep the ball out.

Just when the USA were wondering what they had to do to get back into the game Pia Sundhage introduced Megan Rapinoe for Carli Lloyd in the 65th minute. Slowly but surely the US clawed their way back as they managed to disrupt the French possession game and with Rapinoe down the left and Cheney shifting to the centre mounted some telling counterattacks of their own. Cheney again showed why she should be the MVP of the World Cup launching a perfect corner which only a player of Abby Wambach's height and power could get to giving the USA the lead once again. An aggressive French side pressing hard were exposed once again as Alex Morgan broke free and scooped the ball over Berangere Sapowicz. Icing on the cake.

Being an Arsenal fan, I can tell Bruno Bini watching his French side that possession and creative superiority count for nothing if one cannot finish chances and fail to defend. In fact, the similarities are quite similar as in Necib and Abily you've the equivalent of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas with their elaborate build up which in retrospect appear de trop. The other side meanwhile counts on a soft, error prone defense and an indecisive goalie for all the set piece mistakes that follow. Which is what happened. But this French side is a pleasure to watch and if they can solve some of their defensive problems should be a future top contender.

Now, the US meet either Sweden or Japan with the former being the more familiar foe. For sheer drama it should be Sweden as they were the ones to get the better of the USA in the group stage. But Japan remain the sentimental favourites for knocking off the defending champions Germany and what their country are going through post Fukushima.

Carli Lloyd's clever back heel has Heather O' Reilly doing what she does best -haring down the left flank and with a sliver of space curls in a cross which Lauren Cheney arriving near post turns into into goal. Perfect finish.

The USA got off to an early start for the second time in a row. And a good thing it is because so far it has been France waging war against Hope Solo. The US goalie has been on top so far making a great save off Gaetane Thiney and then riding her luck as Sonia Bompastor's shot off a set piece clanged off the crossbar. Louisa Necib has been sensational in recycling the French attack.

The next 45 minutes should see France press even harder which of course means the USA can sneak in another goal with a counterattack. But Les Bleus are known for their second half goals. An intriguing finish awaits.

The eye catching Louisa Necib: Her last name in Arabic means "fate"

Team USA in a few minutes will take to the pitch facing an extremely dangerous France. Both teams are coming off exhausting quarterfinal matches against their opponents which went to penalty shootout. A key factor will be how well both teams rebound from those mentally and physically challenging roller coasters.

France has a powerful centre in Marie Laure Delie, a Didier Drogba like presence with her ability to muscle her way through opposition. Bruno Bini has a surfeit of attacking talent and can turn to Elodie Thomis, Eugenie Le Sommer, Sandrine Bretigny on the bench. But the key to France's success is in the midfield with Laura Necib sitting in the playmaker role with Camile Abily playing just behind Delie and one of the best holding midfielders in Elise Bussaglia. The wide game comes from Sonia Bompastor and Laure Lepailleur two wing backs who like to maraud down the flanks.

The USA will have to make sure they attack down the wings through Lauren Cheney and Heather O'Reilly and push Bompastor and Lepailleur into defending duties. The French defense is aggressive and likes to play a high line. On numerous occasions they've been caught out as England found their way through Jill Scott so a well placed long ball to Abby Wambach could be the way forward.

Becky Sauerbrunn gets her first taste of World Cup action in place of the suspended Rachel Buehler. This is a trial by fire and she will have her hands full. For the French, their first string goalie Berangere Sapowicz, is in the line up after serving her suspension.

Update: Bruno Bini has replaced Sabrina Viguier in a shake up of the centre back pairing with Ophelie Meilleroux.

A jubilant Wambach celebrates her goal as the US live to finally win

Even the most cursory of followers would not have failed to be gripped by the epic unfolding yesterday. As the end of extra time approached the USA was in mortal danger of failing to advance past the quarterfinals for the first time leaving Brazil with their first taste of victory in the World Cup over their rivals.

How Abby Wambach summoned all her nerve to power in that header from Megan Rapinoe as extra time winded down to its last moment one will never know. The stage was set for the penalty shootout demanding even more fortitude and courage. Ali Krieger sealed the win as millions watching this match finally exhaled. It was like a beloved soap opera coming to a close with its twists and turns. An emotional rollercoaster that resulted in a happy ending for the USA.

The US got off to a magnificent start first within a minute and a half as Shannon Boxx raced to swipe a ball headed for the endline. The Brazilians were clearly unprepared for the low driving cross that she got off as Daiane fronted her goalie inadvertently for an own goal. The USA were on the frontfoot as Brazil took about 20 minutes to mount their first serious challenge.

The 65th minute was probably the moment Marta's reputation was destroyed. She clearly sold that penalty kick which got Rachel Buehler ejected. Hope Solo was able to save the penalty as one thought justice was done. But the Australian referee Jacqui Melksham spotted an encroachment by a US player and the PK was retaken and this time Marta made no mistake. Solo was also booked for dissent.

The second goal was controversial too but this time Shannon Boxx should have known better to have taken her eye off the marauding Marta out as she appealed for an offside that was not given. That's all the space the Brazilian needed to separate herself for her second goal. She ties Birgit Prinz with 14 goals as the World Cup top scorer. Brazil was up 2-1 in extra time and with the minutes winding down sensing victory till Wambach's miraculous goal in added time. All credit to her and Rapinoe whose head's up play made it all possible.

In the PK shootout, Boxx got things going after a re-take as the Brazilians and the US traded penalties till Daiane, she off the own goal failed to convert as Solo guessed right. It all came to an end as Krieger coolly slotted the ball past Andreia. On a note here, one clearly sees Rapinoe relishing her spot as she positively belts the ball into the net. What a fighter. Another defining moment in so many.

Pia Sundhage after the match:

"I have no words. Phenomenal. The goal and then the PKs. Someone is writing this book. There is something about the American attitude to find a way to win. Unbelievable."

Abby Wambach on her goal and the PK shootout:

"Megan Rapinoe just put that ball on my head. Luckily I didn't miss and the rest is history, I guess. We had the momentum going into penalties. Shannon Boxx being able to re-take that first one obviously gave us a lift. Getting that first goal is huge."

Hope Solo again proving she's the best goalie:

"I was very confident. It's a hard way to win. It's a hard way to lose. You want the better team to win and I think the better team did win, but sometimes it doesn't always go that way. You never know what is going to happen, but I was confident. We've been practicing, we've been looking good in practice. Everybody was pretty much stone cold. We were ice. I felt like we put them away well."

These are the sort of matches that inspire a generation of new footballers. All praise for the US women for continuing to believe in themselves. They picked themselves up after losing Buehler in the 65th minute and falling back after a number of controversial decisions went against them. Wambach proved immense and one hopes that she has effectively silenced her critics. This was also the match that saw Marta tarnished as she showed her less charitable side. She clearly lost the crowd even as the world acknowledges her as arguably the best woman player to have played the sport. To have graced the sport has a completely different descriptive quality. A teary eyed Marta continued to insist that the fans loved her. Her team mate the much victimized Daiane did not talk to the media.

The USA meet a very good French side this Wednesday in the semi-finals while Sweden take on Japan. Wambach's words that she finally does not want to envy those who lift the World Cup might be coming a bit closer to fruition.

Hope Solo goes up against Brazil today

In a short while, team USA plays what will be one of its most important matches - important because the trope of the USA being a dominant force in women's soccer rides on how they perform in this World Cup. The competition has seen Norway and Germany crash out, two traditional rivals of the US and in their place France and Japan have been installed as rising powers. Sweden is the only country that have matched their on paper credentials.

The US have done well considering Abby Wambach managed her first goal only in the third and final group match in the 1-2 loss against Sweden. They've been infected by remarkable inefficiency like the men's team in converting scoring opportunities. Much has to do with a sort of inbuilt shot clock which does not allow the play to develop leading to low percentage shots. Against Sweden, they created far more opportunities but their finishing let them down. Against Brazil they will need to maximize all the scoring chances they get.

They have an overwhelming record against the Selecao but their more recent encounters have been quite close. One of the key match ups will be how the US centrebacks deal with Cristina and Rosana. Marta loves to play down the wings cutting in and trying to find Cristina playing closer to goal with Rosana roaming upfield to try her hand at those long range sizzlers. Does Pia Sundehage go with Amy LePielbet shadowing Marta everywhere she goes like Bruna did for Equatorial Guinea? There are pros as Marta was rendered ineffective in the first half but Brazil went to its myriad attacking options running out easy victors by match end.

The USA should start Heather O' Reilly with her attacking instincts and drive proving to be a more attractive option than Shannon Boxx. Against Sweden there was too much time spent in midfield and O'Reilly should bring a more direct style.

A note on Solo. She has shown little after effects of the right shoulder surgery so far but there have been reports of having difficulties with full extension.The Brazilians will test her from distance to see if this is indeed true.

Update: Pia Sundaghe has included both O'Reilly and Boxx. The inclusion of Boxx brings a more defensive mindset with her shadowing Marta in her free role.

A whole lotta Schelin in this World Cup

After eliminating Norway in the group stage, the Matildas could not become Scandinavian giant killers falling to Sweden in the quarters. But they did stretch their opponents as Ellyse Perry scored to make inroads into Sweden's lead. Lisa De Vanna, Tameka Butt and Kyah Simon kept the back line busy and Collette McCallum was a constant threat with her set pieces.

Australia could have made it more competitive but a defensive giveaway gifted Sweden their third goal as Lotta Schelin pounced on Kim Carroll's casual back pass to put the ball past Melissa Barbieri. Schelin and Therese Sjogren were the architects in Sweden's win as the former set up the latter for Sweden's first goal. Sjogren then found Lisa Dahlkvist with her inch perfect cross to send up Sweden two ahead.

Sweden now take on Japan in the semi-finals between two technically gifted teams. The Nadeshiko have shown they're not afraid of a physically superior side having shocked Germany yesterday. Their underrated defense have been the surprise of this World cup.

Germany with its many weapons fall silent after Karina Maruyama's brilliant finish off a pinpoint pass by Homare Sawa. The defending champions were sent packing as Japan showed skill and true grit throughout the match. A well deserved win for the Nadeshiko.

Kim Kulig was an early exit suffering a knee strain as the Germans absorbed her absence to create a number of opportunities. But the Japanese proved to be resilient on defense setting up the scenario for Maruyama's historic goal in extra time. It was almost as if the Germans had walked themselves into a rope a dope knockout.

This was not the sendoff Birgit Prinz envisioned. For a generation of fans coming of age Prinz was the byword in women's football. As iconic as Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, Sun Wen, Sissi, and Hege Riise. She was a non-factor in Sylvia Nied's scheme of things in this World Cup. A player of her quality deserved better. An adieu and an acknowledgment to one of the best in women's football is in order.

Edge of seat stuff. This World Cup has captured the imagination of millions around the world because of the way women have chosen to play the sport.

An outclassed England hung on grimly as France with their superior game threatened to swamp them at every given moment. PK's finally decided the game. Karen Bardsley was immense but she too was fighting the inevitable, as France the fitter and faster team, finally got their deserved win.

Hope Powell will get called out on the unforgivable sin of keeping Kelly White and Faye Smith on as they played wounded. It hurt just to see these two greats grimace every time they put weight on their foot. Powell should also be held accountable for putting ingenue Claire Rafferty on the spot for the PK shootout.

There is a gulf in the game between both countries wider than the straits of Dover. France have so much depth in midfield. Abily, Bompastor, Necib,Thiney, and Bussaglia were pound for pound on a different level altogether. Bruno Bini looked unperturbed because of his deep bench. Necib the best player on display was pulled because Bini had the luxury of Thomis, Bretigny and Le Sommer in reserve.

Watch out for France because they could go all the way.

Rachel Yankey, Arsenal star takes on Les Bleus in the WWC quarters

In a few minutes, Hope Powell's squad take on Les Bleus in the quarterfinals. The English are finally gelling after a slow start with Kelly Smith, their top scorer yet to open her account. But their spark has come from other players like Rachel Yankey, Jill Scott, Stephanie Houghton, and Ellen White.

The French are entering the quarterfinals for the first time determined to make this a memorable World Cup. On talent, Les Bleus edge out the English with no player the calibre of Camile Abily and the power of Marie-Laure Delie. This however, is the knockout stage where only goals matter and England's display against a technically gifted Japan should provide that much needed confidence booster.

The English defensive unit will have to be on guard against the crosses and set pieces into the box to Delie and Laura Georges. The French led their fightback against the Germans through the air with Delie and Georges on target. The Three Lionesses best hopes on attack are through Yankey and Smith with Ellen White proving dangerous with her improvisational ability.

szólj hozzá: Australia 2-1 Norway

Kyah Simon scored a brace as the Matildas shrugged off a sluggish first half performance to battle the more experienced Norwegians on even terms in the second half. It was the Norwegians, however, exploiting the soft Australian defense who went up first through Elise Thorsnes.

Australia came back with a perfect answer as Lisa De Vanna's cross found Kyah Simon for the equalizer. De Vanna again linked up with Simon minutes later but this time her shot dragged wide. At the other end the Matildas escaped when Trine Ronning's booming freekick struck the crossbar. Riding that piece of luck the Matildas mounted a series of attacks one of which resulted in a corner. The impeccable Collette McCallum swinging delivery broke free to Kim Carroll who launched a cross into the box for Simon to glance her header past Erika Skarbo.

Norway were done for and the Australians celebrate their second consecutive entry into the World Cup quarterfinals where they will meet Sweden who topped Group C after defeating the USA.

szólj hozzá: Sweden 2-1 United States

Abby Wambach scored her first goal in this World Cup but it was not enough to stop Sweden whose rampaging Lotta Schelin subjected the US defense to all kinds of pressure. Amy LePeilbet had a horror show lucky to escape with just a yellow after she brought down Schelin in the box.

Referee Etsuko Fukano pointed to the spot. Hope Solo came inches away from stopping Lisa Dahlkvist but her shot had too much power. Matters became worse when Nilla Fischer's free kick from 20 yards out was diverted into goal by LePeilbet as Solo looked to have it covered. The half ended with Sweden up 2-0 and the USA spurning a number of chances as Amy Rodriguez, Wambach, and Carli Lloyd came close.

On resumption, the USA again dominated possession with a number of chances but only Wambach's conversion of a corner resulted in a goal. Sweden could have added to the tally but Schelin was mistakenly adjudged offside.

The USA now face Brazil in the quarterfinals and their lack of finishing should be of concern to Pia Sundhage. To get past the Brazilians they have to maximize their chances because the one thing the Selecao have shown is a killer instinct for goals.

Sundhage after Sweden's first win over the USA in four previous World Cup matches highlighted the lack of penetrative power.

"We could have been a little bit more patient, especially in the attacking third. We were too eager to play the ball into the box and we could have fought to get to the endline a little more. At times we knocked it around quite a bit in the midfield but we could have created bigger chances by fighting to the endline and playing from there."

The only player capable of doing that appeared to be Lauren Cheney. The introduction of veteran Shannon Boxx and Carli Lloyd slowed down game to one of attrition in the midfield. Heather O' Reilly should have been introduced to give more creativity on attack.

Hope Powell's squad delivered two killer blows to sink Japan. Ellen White breaking free lobbed the ball perfectly over backpedaling Japanese goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori. Then, substitute Rachel Yankey used her speed to get the better off an onrushing Kaihori to flick the ball from an acute angle.

Japan were the more technically proficient team with their measured set pieces and control of the ball but were unable to solve Rachel Bardsley and her dominating performance in goal. Who says athleticism and speed cannot win?

England avoid top ranked Germany and instead face France in the quarterfinals which will not be easy. Japan on the other hand will go up against the defending champions. Should make for some very fascinating clashes.

The best player in women's soccer history shows up against Norway. Her contribution; two goals and an assist. This World Cup is turning out to be a no show for Birgit Prinz and Abby Wambach but Homare Sawa against Mexico and Marta's statement today clearly show we should not write these big names off too early.

Marta's first goal was a bit controversial as she pushed Nora Holstad and the Norwegian defense expecting a foul to be called were caught a bit off guard as the Brazilian danced her way past the scything legs of Maren Mjelde to lay the ball past Ingrid Hjelmseth. But there was no mistaking her genius in the second goal as she simply blazes past the Norwegians dragging them into a black hole and cuts in and then cuts in some more to find Rosana who buries her shot.

Very few have the speed and at the same time possess the patience needed for greatness which we see in Marta. The third goal was all of that pouncing on a horrible mistake by the Norwegians but then waiting just enough to coolly sidestep her challenges and then making sure to slide the ball past Hjelmseth. The average is still large but it's moments like these we see the ever narrowing gap between the skill levels of men and women's football. This is beyond idle conjecture but one day we shall see women compete alongside men.

The Norway loss opens up Group D as now Australia could get through even if they manage to hold their last match against the Norwegians for a shock entry into the quarterfinals. The Brazilians are now almost certain to top Group D barring a meltdown against Equatorial Guinea which puts additional pressure on England in Group C to come up with the goods against Japan to avoid a quarterfinal clash with them.

The Matildas overcame Gyoengyi Gall's bizzare non penalty call (sure to be a You Tube classic) and two horrendous pieces of defending by Servet Uzunlar whose first name maybe apt in the manner she gifted Genoveva Anonman a brace of goals. Leena Khamis and Emily Van Egmond reversed roles of provider and finisher in the first two goals and Lisa De Vanna off the bench scored the decisive third goal.

Equatorial Guinea bow out of the World Cup but they've got some real talent and big heart. We're most likely to see them back. Anonman was obviously the pick. Australia are now in a tight contest with Norway for the second spot as the Scandinavians went down hard against Marta and her brilliance in the second Group D encounter with Brazil.

Watch Bruna of Equatorial Guinea casually pick up a ball in full view of the world when it is in play. Incredibly, the referee Gyoengyi Gall from Hungary and her referee crew miss it altogether or chose to ignore it completely.

This incident took place in a Group D match against Australia in the 15th minute when Collette McCallum sends in a cross which Leena Khamis flicks onto the upright and as the ball rebounds back into play, Bruna picks it up and carries it in her hand for a couple of seconds before releasing it. The Australians appeal and then turn incredulous at Gall's decision to overlook this clear penalty.

Khamis was not declared offside and there was no other indication that the ball was anything but live.

A similar event unfolded in the U20 World Cup on the same ground in a match between South Korea and Germany when Alexander Popp's shot hits the crossbar and balloons towards the sideline where it is caught by a South Korean defender clearly while on the pitch. The Germans appeal and Peruvian referee Sylvia Reyes consults with her linesman and then awards a penalty which was the right decision.

Thierry Henry cleverly camouflaged his hand from the referee while providing the assist that doomed Ireland from participating in last year's World Cup. Last month was 25th anniversary of Maradona's unforgettable hand of god goal against England in the 1986 World Cup. In both instances the referee was bamboozled into believing its legitimacy. But what do you do when incompetence or ignorance is in full view and you do not need TV replay to catch it?

Alicia Ferguson, a former Australian international reacts to Gall's bewildering decision to not confer with her linesman, "What was going on?". Australia managed to get past Equatorial Guinea, 3-2 which somewhat mitigates this absolutely bizarre and shocking non-call but any other result would have been catastrophic to their chances of advancing to the quarterfinals. What gall, Gyoengyi!