Omedetou Nihon!!!

[Taleweaver]

This just in:

Japan defeats the U.S. in the Women's Soccer World Championships in penalty shootout! Japan has never defeated the U.S. in Women's Soccer - never even scored a goal against the U.S. in a world championship - and is now the new world champion!

Sorry, folks, but the Japanese women kicked out Germany in the quarterfinals, so I was pretty much cheering for them all the way. Defeat isn't that bad when you lost against the eventual winner of the World Championships.

[PyTom]

in penalty shootout

Of course. I'm pretty sure it's highly frowned upon for two teams playing soccer to have gameplay end in anything other than a tie.

[LVUER]

What men can't do, women can do it ^_^

[yummy]

Too bad it was decided only on a penalty shootout. But overall, they played on equal terms and it was really breath taking. USA girls are quite good!

Well, to be honest, the level of play doesn't seem like what you're used to see in first league with male teams, but it was quite refreshing. Fair play, less drama (when a player gets on the floor, rolling to get the referee's attention, and then yellow card), more movement.

I somewhat get the feeling that people will get to like to watch the female soccer/football world cup than the male version ^^

[Taleweaver]

in penalty shootout

Of course. I'm pretty sure it's highly frowned upon for two teams playing soccer to have gameplay end in anything other than a tie.

Not that the U.S. girls weren't trying to break that custom by constantly advancing and gaining the lead on the Japanese not once but twice. Unfortunately, the Japanese, being accustomed to tradition and formality, quickly helped the U.S. correct that blatant breach of etiquette and tied the game again...

[dott.Piergiorgio]

in penalty shootout

Of course. I'm pretty sure it's highly frowned upon for two teams playing soccer to have gameplay end in anything other than a tie.

well, here in Italy the "Catenaccio" is definitively NOT frowned upon (Italy winning world cup with a string on 1-0 being the most egregious example of "Catenaccio"

and no, I'm one of the few Italian whose aren't Monday coachs (notwhistanding that is actually Monday

Best regards from Italy,
dott. Piergiorgio.

p.s. FORZA NAPOLI !!!!

[Blue Lemma]

Silly US Americans, soccer is for other countries!

Heh heh heh. I get worried every time we do well because I'm afraid of it catching on here

On the other hand, at least when we win, stripping ensues :-3

[Voight-Kampff]

Silly US Americans, soccer is for other countries!

Heh heh heh. I get worried every time we do well because I'm afraid of it catching on here

No, believe me, THIS is how American's will always see soccer.

[RemnantDream]

I was hoping it wouldn't end in penalty shots but oh well. America really had many good opportunities to score but they just kept blowing it. I'm kinda glad Japan won, just because the American team kept frustrating me. Honestly, I thought Japan played a better game.

Anyway, I'm glad the women's world cup is starting to grow more popular. A lot of people I know don't watch it because the women are playing. Personally, I almost prefer watching the women play because they don't go rolling all over the field when somebody pokes them.