In its 10 th edition, this high profile tournament brought in Japan, Australia and Colombia to compete with USWNT for the trophy. Its rules are simple enough: Each team play each other once and which one that get more points win the tournament.
It’ s a final al-the-way. With this especially simple format, SHEBELIEVES Cup tell clearly which is the top teams. They face each other plus two other teams to get 3 points each win. Max of 9 points.
The rules say that the most points obtained in the three games determine the winner( no final).
Japan crushed Australia which didn’ t resemble the team we last see in the Olympics.
They’ re distracted, weak and lost in the field. Japan played their style dictated by their physical size. They’ re short and small but fast, teamwork, concentration, high energy, never stop. It’ s a hard opponent to beat.
JAPAN AUSTRALIA
1 st half US goal can be described with a single word – superb. The precise, firm, and well timed pass from Yohannes to Ryan who in great control and balance, playing behind Colombia’ s defense line, volleyed a serve to an incoming Macario infiltrating by the middle facing the goal.
Macario beat both the defender in her heels and the audacious goalkeeper with a left obstinate shot instead of right one. That move sent the goalkeeper and the defender going to the right and the ball with a clean route shake the net on the middle left. USA 1 x 0 Colombia.
2 nd half US second goal is also a skillful art from Sentnor who left her stamp on Colombia’ s net. She got the ball, dribble the defenders and sent a rocket across the goal from left to right, indefensible for the excellent Colombian goalkeeper. USA 2x0 Colombia.
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND ONE
Position GP Team Points GD 1 1 Japan 3 + 4 2 1 USA 3 + 2
3 1 Colombia 0-2 4 1 Australia 0-4
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