Recently in 2012 London Olympics Category

The title should actually read what fails Brazilian soccer? Clearly, with all its unsurpassed talent, Brazilian soccer should have no ailment. Jonathan Wilson's article in the Guardian exposes Brazil's fatal flaws when competing against teams which individual talent may find tough to overcome.

Against Mexico in the Olympics finals, as the clip shows, slipshod defending had much to do with the scoreline which suggests that Brazil has yet to find the next generation of savvy, physical, and athletically gifted defenders to takeover from Maicon, Lucio, and Juan.

That was the imprimatur left by Dunga which worked well in the 2007 Copa America but three years later the pendulum shifted the other way when Felipe Melo became the poster boy of his overtly physical, less skillful, defensive posture during the 2010 World Cup. However Dunga's allocation of resources to defensive mettle in an otherwise missing facet of Brazil's game made other team's sit up and take notice. Such mistakes would not have been tolerated.

Dunga should also be appreciated for championing Elano, who would have made all the difference to this Olympic side, connecting backfield to the frontlines. Against Mexico, the twin pivots of Romulo and Sandro were quite circumspect doing little to create other than steering the ball out of harm's way in the backfield. Ganso is a good player but he's obviously struggling to recover after his injury absence. There was another reason why Dunga was able to do more with his squad. He deliberately spurned highly individualistic players like Adriano and Ronaldinho going in for lesser lights like Vagner Love and Fred. In the present line up Hulk would have definitely got a call up to a Dunga squad because of his work rate and willingness to play as a team member.

Since Tele Santana, football in Brazil has been a variation between defense and offense light. The losses of the 1982 and 1986 teams seem to have preyed on the Brazilian psyche in a very negative way. Those scars were seen in a very boring and defensive minded Brazil team win in the 1994 World Cup and then repeating in 2002 against very ordinary competition with a more forthcoming attack. The problem with this U23 team that will surely form the nucleus of the 2014 squad is that they have do not have enough quality competition to iron out the problems between now and the World Cup. But Dunga could possibly do something to help Neymar tamp down on showboating and track back to help those overly ambitious and attacking wing backs.

Canada completely outplayed by France in the second half managed to score an extra time goal by Diane Matheson following a scramble for the ball in front of the box. Before that heartbreak, France had peppered the Canadian goal with a plethora of shots, one that unluckily hit the upright, with the rest sailing over the crossbar. But Canada perhaps also believed they deserved a bit of luck after their contentious semi-finals against the USA that was decided after some controversial calls went against them. The bronze medal was some vindication.

France continues to show tremendous improvement. They're unmatched in talent. All they need now is to have the self belief and the finishing qualities to rise to championship material.

Carli Lloyd's brace and some superb goalkeeping from Hope Solo guided the USA to a sweetly savoured victory over a very accomplished Japanese side. It was a hard fought match and although the USA emerged as victors, Japan in large spells looked more threatening with some very neat and inventive passing.

Lloyd's first goal was a piece of great opportunism as Abby Wambach would have no doubt scored as Alex Morgan's cross had the Japanese defense rooted to the spot. But just as Wambach swung her leg in anticipation of directing Morgan's service into goal, Lloyd got in a fraction ahead launching her header to open for the USA. No big deal to a 143 goalscorer. She can afford to cede the limelight to others on occasion. But there was no mistaking Lloyd's critical second goal as she burst through from almost the half line bearing down on goal and then belting the ball from open field with pace and movement to beat Miho Fukumoto.

The goal came against the run of play as Japan really cranked up the pressure forcing Solo into making at least two very good saves in the first half. Japan should have equalized in the first half but Solo somehow was able to spring up at the right time to push Yuki Ogimi's header onto the crossbar and out of harm's way. Christine Rampone was at hand to effect an inches away goal line save after Solo was beaten in a melee.

Later in the first half, the USA dodged a veritable bullet when a handball on Tobin Heath was not called. But the USA finally ceded a goal as the Japanese triangular passing game came calling in their box and in a rare defensive lapse, it fell to Ogimi to direct the ball into goal after a mad scramble to clear failed. In another big moment, Rampone was robbed of the ball by Mana Iwabuchi and as she raced down and launched her shot for the potential equalizer it brought back painful memories of the World Cup match when the US was minutes away from a win. Fortunately for the USA, Solo was in no mood to give any quarter and she brought off yet another fine save.

The victory gave the USA their fourth gold medal in five Olympics since women's soccer was introduced in the 1996 Atlanta games with the only blip at Sydney, twelve years ago. Japan might have had the edge in talent but the USA made up for it having more self belief, a belief that they were robbed a year ago. That is what they call destiny. It makes you virtually unstoppable.

Who else but Abby Wambach to put an exclamation point:

"But anything less than winning for us is a failure. And we worked tirelessly all year long to prove that we still can win and we are still champions."

Wembley's hallowed ground saw a record breaking 83,000 fans watch a entertaining and high quality final with few histrionics and played in the Olympic spirit. Someone remind us. After the high voltage stuff dished out in the women's matches, there is a men's final to be played tomorrow?

As iconic an image: Could the USA top this in the finals?

Yes, all you football/ soccer lovers. This is one of the most anticipated clashes, the USA vs Japan showdown, all year. Destiny had both countries renewing their rivalry in the Olympics women's soccer final. The USA for redemption. Japan for continuing their recent supremacy. The USA have been in fantastic form with Megan Rapinoe in our book, the player of the tournament. We're unabashed fans of hers. But if she's set the bar there is no leveling off with Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, and Carli Lloyd, who have been stellar.

The Nadeshiko have had no break out players but their defense has been extremely well organized and compact and they have relied on clinical efficiency to score goals. The US women should boss the ball around while Japan will play rope a dope. Both teams have scored all important goals through set pieces and once again they could be the determining factor.

For those who have taken off work. The match will be aired live at 2:45 p.m. ET on NBC Sports. For those who cannot, there is live streaming on NBC sports and ESPN's minute by minute. For the record, 83,000 + fans are expected to attend today's finals at Wembley. This is a huge day for women's soccer.

szólj hozzá: Mexico vs Japan 3:1 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Yuki Otsu's magnificent strike in the 12th minute gave the Japanese men hope that they too could emulate their women's team entering the Olympic finals but El Tri happened to be much stronger. Marco Fabian, Oribe Peralta, and Javier Cortes scored to turn things around as Mexico marched to their first Olympic finals.

Check out Peralta's second goal which came after Japan coughed up the ball under pressure. Every bit as good as Otsu's.

Sepp Blatter was around to see his fondest dream of seeing women playing in "tighter shorts". Yes, he really did say that as a way of attracting more male spectators amongst many of his other pearls of wisdom.

The match underscored the importance of having a good goalie and in Miho Fukumoto, the Nadeshiko had theirs. She must have stopped at least a half dozen shots by the French who pressed hard in the second half.

At the other end the first goal scored by Yuki Ogimi came off a terrible goalkeeping error by Sarah Bouhaddi who made a meal holding onto the ball. The French goalie was also caught miserably out of position when Mizuho Sakaguchi headed the ball into the left hand corner following another set piece.

The French finally breached the compact Japanese defense as Eugenie Le Sommer operating on the left flank and a real thorn directed a cross past Fukumoto in the 75th minute. Two minutes later, the French had a golden chance to equalize when Le Sommer was brought down in the box but Elise Bussaglia with all her experience pushed the penalty just wide.

Its all working out according to plan. The USA meeting Japan in a highly anticipated rematch after last year's World Cup loss.

Arsene Wenger we've heard is looking for new talent. Bolt may only be slightly faster (tongue firmly in cheek) than Theo Walcott but his celebrations are way better.

An instant classic. Christine Sinclair was a one woman wrecking crew for Canada as she scored a hat trick with the USA having to play catch up with each of her goals. They had a reply each time and then went one better with Alex Morgan's 123rd minute header for the winner as seconds remained in the match.

Sinclair scored her first goal after a 1-2 with Melissa Tancredi in the 21st minute following a counterattack. Canada took that 1-0 lead into half time. In the 53rd minute, the USA leveled terms as Megan Rapinoe's curling corner sneaked into goal. The Canadian captain then scored her second nodding the ball from a cross past Hope Solo with perfect timing and placement in the 66th minute.

Two minutes later, with the Theatre of Dreams patrons just about catching their breath, Rapinoe, the player of the tournament in our estimation, just belted the ball across the goalmouth hitting the upright and into the back of the net for a spectacular equalizer. It took just three minutes for Sinclair to drive Canada back in front, as the striker with another display of preternatural timing headed the ball past Solo from a corner.

The match's turning point came on two controversial calls. The referee raised many an eyebrow booking goalie Erin McLeod for the rare offense of holding on the ball for too long. Through the indirect free kick, Rapinoe (who else!!), sent the ball crashing right into Eva Marie Nault who reflexively put her arm up for a spot kick. Abby Wambach calmly slotted the ball past McLeod to give the USA a lifeline into extra time which was finally settled when Morgan rose above the Canadian defense to put Heather O'Reilly's cross over McLeod.

Brave Canada. Our northern neighbours would not be remiss in feeling hard done by. Those were two very debatable calls. But the USA were heroic. Women's soccer has the perfect recruitment tool for the next generation. Brandi Chastain could only yelp in unintelligible sound bytes.

The USA face familiar foes Japan in the final. The Nadeshiko beat France, 2-0.

Here are the NBC highlights >>

szólj hozzá: GB

There are days when Daniel Sturridge could not hit a barn door even if it meant never having to suffer through a Adam Sandler or a Seth Rogen movie ever again. Yesterday, was not one of them. That was Messi-esque for team GB's final score.

Team GB moved the ball around with ease through Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy, Joe Allen, and Tom Cleverley. The unified team opened through Giggsy's header and followed up with Scott Sinclair's put back after Mohamed Khasef parried Bellamy's cross into his path.

By the way, the UAE goal was equally brilliant as Eisa did not break step latching onto a Xavi like pass by Omar Abdulrahman, accelerating between defenders, and then sidefooting the ball past Jack Butland. Seamless, swift, and lethal. UAE looked very, very good in large spells of the match and the scoreline is flattering.

You're no lady, Lady Andrade. The Colombian forward threw a nasty right hook at Abby Wambach as the US striker fell onto the pitch clutching her face. Play continued on with the referee unaware of what had just happened and the Colombians continued their unsportswoman like conduct by keeping the ball in play. Failing the most basic tenets of the Olympic spirit.

The camera panned over to Wambach sporting an ugly shiner around the right eye. She eventually got up and showed what a tough cookie she is by scoring USA's second goal as she barreled over the Colombian defense to slide the ball past the goalie. It was an exclamation point. Hey, you tried taking out my right eye but I'll take you down.

Megan Rapinoe had one of her best matches. She was flawless in scoring the first goal as she took full advantage of Alex Morgan's skillful footwork and forward vision, controlling the pass with two touches, and absolutely laced the ball past Sandra Sepulveda. The USA sent Colombia down and out for the count with a third goal as Rapinoe sliced the defense to shreds with a through pass which Lloyd angled past Sepulveda.

The USA are through to the quarter-finals but before that they face North Korea.

Later Wambach gave her take on that ugly incident.

"It was a really terrible play," she said. "Dangerous and unsportsmanlike. I hope that FIFA will look at the play and decide if this is the kind of player they want in the Olympics."

Lady Andrade should have no further part to play in this Olympics and further. A three match ban would be a nice reminder.

Hope Solo was hardly under any pressure which was a good thing because her mind is clearly on extra-curricular activities. She and Brandi Chastain are intent on giving each other black eyes. Its an unseemly catfight and it can only be resolved one way. Jerseys off and then fan vote.

Here are the NBC highlights >>>

If you're going to thrust Great Britain into the forefront of the Industrial Revolution, or elevate Tim Berners-Lee as father of the world wide web, then you should also celebrate Britain's unique place in crafting the world's most followed sport. The Olympics is competed by 204 countries, FIFA boasts 209 members.

Not many countries can lay claim to inventing particular sports, let alone as comprehensively as Britain did in laying down the fundamentals of the modern game of association football. A sense of disbelief descended down on us as the opening ceremony went by without one single mention of the sport, one of the oldest to be contested in the Olympics.

There was Beckham who is less a football star than a global icon streaming through the Thames on a speedboat looking vaguely like he had been sent to snuff out another Romney gaffe and the evil of austerity. Maybe one but not surely both at the same time. He saved MLS, didn't he? But in the stadium, there was no celebration of Ebenezer Cobb Morley, or the first FA rule book in 1863, or a timeline of the passage of the beautiful game to distant shores far and beyond, which set in stone a legacy withstanding the test of time. Britain's greatest export that no one can quibble with as a myriad of historians revisit and revamp its vexatious place in the history of colonialism. When you had an estimated 650 million viewers in over 190 countries following Man Utd vs Man City on May 3rd 2012, then you know you have done something right.

Lets forget football for a moment. Lets take boxing. Everyone who enters the ring, from Muhammed Ali to Amir Khan, has had to follow the Marquess of Queensberry rules. A British sporting institution gave us Don King and In Zaire. None of it chronicled in the opening ceremony. The mind boggles at the missed opportunities.

Since we pride ourselves as a blog that not only pontificates on the beautiful game, lets sally forth on the Danny Boyle mess of an opening ceremony. Tim Berners-Lee is a cog in the digital revolution that was set forth by that true genius, Alan Turing. Who would have celebrated his 100th birthday a month ago if he had lived that long. No mention of the father of computer science, artificial intelligence, and a conflicted gay symbol. How much more contemporary do you want to get? And where were the Beatles? A whole segment should have been devoted to the Fab Four, a tectonic shift in the cultural landscape of the world. Abbey Road the most famous piece of asphalt. And if you want funny and British, may we suggest Monty Python? How about the Parrot Sketch or the Ministry of Silly Walks done by 5,000 volunteers and John Cleese MC-ing the whole athletic endeavour.

Shallow and muddled. That's what the opening ceremony was. Even the special effects weren't anything to write home about. And here is a note to the NBC ignoramuses commenting on the ceremony, you absolutely missed Kenneth Branagh resplendent in top hat, playing cigar chomping Isembard Kingdom Brunel. The figure most associated with the Industrial Revolution, as he built every visible symbol of modern day infrastructure that we take for granted. The problem is that Branagh did not have a name tag, not that it would have made much of a difference. Branagh who? Brunel who? Lets cut straight to commercial.