Women’s Weekend Football Fixtures 23rd & 24th May 2015
(All Matches are in British UK Time, All Kick-Off’s at 14:00 Unless Stated)
Saturday 23rd May
Austria Frauenliga
Neulengbach V Sturm Graz
St. Pölten 2 – 1 Altenmarkt
Denmark Women’s Elitedivisionen
KoldingQ 3 – 4 Fortuna Hjørring
Finland Women’s Naisten Liiga
HJK 0 – 1 Åland United
Merilappi United 1 – 4 PK-35
Honka 2 – 4 TPS
Pallokissat 3 – 0 Nice Futis
USA National Women’s Soccer League
Boston Breakers 1 – 1 Sky Blue
International Women’s Friendly
Belgium 3 – 2 Norway
Sunday 24th May
Austria Frauenliga
Südburgenland V Union Kleinmünchen
Landhaus V LUV Graz (16:00)
Denmark Women’s Elitedivisionen
OB 1 – 4 Skovbakken
FA Women’s Super League 2
Aston Villa 2 – 1 London Bees
Oxford United 2 – 3 Everton
Watford 2 – 4 Yeovil Town
FA Women’s Premier League Play Off Final
Portsmouth FC 0 – 1 Sheffield FC
Finland Women’s Naisten Liiga
Vasa IFK 1 – 7 Ilves
Portugal 1a Divisão Women
GDC A-dos-Francos V Albergaria (16:00)
Vilaverdense V Leixões (16:00)
Boavista Porto V Cesarense
Scotland Women’s Premier League
Inverness City V Spartans
Heart of Midlothian V Forfar Farmington
Celtic V Hutchison Vale
Hibernian V Rangers
Hamilton Academical V Aberdeen (16:00)
Stirling University V Glasgow City (16:00)
USA National Women’s Soccer League
Western New York Flash 3 – 2 Washington Spirit
Kansas City 1 – 2 Chicago Red Stars
Portland Thorns 0 – 1 Houston Dash
International Women’s Friendly
Japan 1 – 0 New Zealand
Providing coverage of women’s football from all around the world!
As I reported I went to the game on May 6. Officially the match was Yunogo Belle vs. Urawa Reds. However, the practical competition was Aya Miyama vs. Urawa Reds. Belle could have done nothing against the Reds were not Miyama there. In fact, Belle can do nothing against any team without Miyama. And the tragic fact is the more other players rely on Miyama the more they lose their own quality. The present situation of Yunogo Belle shows even the magnificent Miyama cannot carry such team all by herself. It is almost certain her team will play in the lower group in the second stage. Who can tell for certain they will stay in the top division?
And I have no choice but to say—exactly same thing is happening to the national team. Officially, today’s game was Japan vs. New Zealand. The truth is it was Aya Miyama vs. New Zealand. New Zealand outperformed Japan in everything, not only the usual physicality and speed but also the possession and organization. It was New Zealand, not Japan, who reminds us of the Nadeshikos we saw in 2011 cup.
Japan still has Miyama and that’s all they have. Miyama’s quality kick is something to be found nowhere else in the world therefore very difficult to practice against. It worked again today. Miyama’s corner kick caused the Sawa’s goal and Japan managed to keep the lead to the end thanks to multiple factors of which the primary one was luck. (Saw the PK?)
But what is happening to Belle will happen to Japan. Miyama will find even her super effort is less than enough to prevent her team from tumbling down in the world of football. There is no doubt.
However, if you are a supporter of Nadeshiko Japan do not lose your heart. We have our young generation, the players we see in the U23, U19 and even younger. In a way it is fortunate none of them is in the current national team because they did not learn to rely on Aya Miyama.
Full-time: Japan 1-0 New Zealand (Sawa 23′)
Next up for Japan is Italy – https://shar.es/1rINUX
59′ Fantastic goal-line clearance by Iwashimizu to deny New Zealand!
Japan 1-0 New Zealand
Half-time: Japan 1-0 New Zealand (Homare Sawa 23′)
23′ GOAL! Japan 1-0 New Zealand (Sawa scores!)
International friendly match underway: Japan 0-0 New Zealand
TEAM NEWS:
Japan line-up (v New Zealand): Yamane, Kinga, Kumagai, Iwashimizu, Sameshima, Miyama (c), Kawamura. Sawa, Ando, Kawasumi, Ogimi
TEAM NEWS:
New Zealand line-up (v Japan): Nayler, Bowen, Erceg (c), Stott, Percival, Hassett, Duncan, Gregorius, Hearn, Longo, Wilkinson
TEAM NEWS:
Belgium line-up (v Norway): Odeurs, Cayman, Courtois, Coutereels, Deloose, Biesmans, De Gernier, De Caigny, Yuceil, Zeler, Wullaert
TEAM NEWS
Norway line-up (v Belgium): Ingrid Hjelmseth – Marita Skammelsrud Lund, Maria Thorisdottir, Nora Holstad Berge, Elise Thorsnes – Solveig Gulbrandsen, Maren Mjelde, Lene Mykjåland, Emilie Bosshard Haavi – Isabell Herlovsen, Ada Stolsmo Hegerberg