Eleven players who fans will miss in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup
After seeing Bruno Bezerra’s squad of the eleven great players he would miss in the next Women’s World Cup I decided to make my squad too! I’m sure many people, like me and Bruno, will feel much the abstention of players as talented as these!
So this is my roster:
1. Debinha
Débora Cristiane de Oliveira, or simply Debinha, is a Brazilian forward who played for the Norwegian Toppserien club Avaldsnes IL and currently is playing in the Brazilian permanent residency program. Debinha injured her knee in a victory of Brazil over Sweden at the last Algarve Cup and, unfortunately, the 23 year old striker will not be able to play in the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
2. Añonma
Genoveva Añonma is a 26 year old Equatorial Guinea forward who recently signed with the American club Portland Thorns. She played for German Frauen Bundesliga club Turbine Potsdam until a few days ago and joined the Thorns this week after the end of the German league season. She is the 10th-ranked goal scorer of all-time in the Frauen Bundesliga. Equatorial Guinea did not qualify for the 2015 Women’s World Cup, so this prolific goalscorer is not going to Canada.
3. Alushi
Fatmire “Lira” Alushi is a German footballer. She plays as an attacking midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain in the Division 1 Féminine and for the German national team. Alushi, 27, will miss the Women’s World Cup in Canada as she is expecting her first child.
4. Kessler
FIFATV
Nadine Kessler is a German midfielder who currently plays for VfL Wolfsburg. The 27 year old was the recipient of the FIFA World Player of the Year award at the 2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or. Kessler was ruled out of women’s World Cup through injury and unfortunately we will not see her skills in Canada.
5. Kim Little
Little is a 24 year old Scottish player who was a key player of Arsenal Ladies’ success in England and is now currently signed to Seattle Reign FC, a team of the American National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The midfielder received the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year award,in 2013, as an Arsenal Ladies player and she was named MVP in her first season in the NWSL with Reign, in 2014. Scotland did not qualify for the Women’s World Cup 2015, so we will miss this Scottish star a lot!
6. Kerstin Garefrekes
Kerstin Garefrekes is a German footballer who plays as a midfielder or forward for 1. FFC Frankfurt. It is true that the 35 year old has already retired from the German women’s national team, but she is still playing at a high level at her club (Frankfurt just won the UEFA Women’s Champions League!) and I wish we could see her playing for more time defending for her country. She is a legend and one of the best players in the history of women’s football for sure!
7. Jess Fishlock
Jessica Fishlock is a Welsh footballer who currently plays for Seattle Reign FC and the Wales women’s national football team. The 28 year old is one of the best midfielders in the world. Wales is another European country that did not qualify for Canada 2015.
8. Bruna Benites
Bruna is a 29 year old Brazilian defender who played for São José and is currently playing for the Brazilian permanent residency program. The Brazilian captain and centre back is out of the Women’s World Cup 2015 with a knee injury. It was a huge loss to Brazil!
9. Line Røddik Hansen
Line Røddik Hansen is a Danish defender who plays for FC Rosengård of the Swedish Damallsvenskan. The 27 year old has accrued over 90 caps for the Denmark women’s national football team which did not qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
10. Crystal Dunn
Dunn is a American player who is currently playing for Washington Spirit. The 22 year old is a versatile player, since she used to play as a wing back for the USWNT and now she plays as a forward for Washington Spirit. Jill Ellis maybe now regretting not have called up Dunn because she is doing a great job leading Spirit in this NWSL season.
11. Katarzyna Kiedrzynek
Kiedrzynek is a Polish goalkeeper who currently defends the French club Paris Saint-Germain. The 24 year stood out making good defences for her team, who are the runners-up of the last UEFA Women’s Champions League. Poland is another European team who did not qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Women’s football enthusiast based in Brazil. Supporting and raising the profile of the women’s game.
Kiedrzynek wouldn’t play anyway, even if Poland will be in the finals. She currently resign from national team.
Thanks Krzysztof, do you know why she has resigned for the national team, is it a permanent decision? She is a very talented goalkeeper.
She had (has) a conflict with head coach Wojciech Basiuk so it’s possible that she’ll come back when Basiuk will be fired (read: when he’ll lose qualifies to Euro 2017). I hope.
It’s open secret that atmosphere in Polish national team is not too good. Kiedrzynek’s resignation is the result.
Oh ok that makes sense now, thank you for the explanation. Such a shame for the national team, I hope all gets resolved soon for the benefit of the team’s progress and development.
Kiedrzynek is one of the best goalkeeper in the world and she is starting being recognized for this. Maybe her abstention of Poland National Team will make things change there….because now she is the star of Poland WNT.
Great List Izzy, Well done! Speaking from the African perspective, one can only hope that Equatorial Guinea can get it right..and soon! With so many African teams springing up and improving; Nigeria still holding the reigns tight, competition for places have more than doubled. Ghana, South Africa, CIV, Cameroon, Mali etc are all in the mix. Hope Anonma can stir her side to African glory someday…
Thanks for the comment Janine. Nigeria has always had strong teams in major tournaments, but would like to see more African countries standing out in women’s football. I would love to see new Anonmas in Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, per example.
Fantastic article, thank you Izzy.
I completely agree with your selection. I am hoping that with the increase of teams at EURO 2017, there is an even greater chance of Wales and Scotland qualifying so we may see Little and Fishlock on the European stage there, but it would be better if players of their caliber were at the World Cup.
Thank you Izzy