Football: All Over The World !!!
- October 4th, 2007
- Posted by Sarah West
While the FIFA Women’s World Cup has finished with Germany taking the spoils, the Rugby World Cup in France is just heating up, as the Wallabies get set for their toughest challenge of the tournament, so far.
WHEN KINGS AND CONVICTS CLASH
After easily disposing of Canada and earning maximum points from their Group B campaign, the Wallabies will now set their sights on their first game of the World Cup quarter finals against their old arch enemies, England.
Australia has won four of their last five clashes with the Motherland, and crushed England 43-18 at their last meeting.
England has struggled through their pool matches only narrowly winning a berth in the next round.
After Johnny Wilkinson and his kicking prowess single handedly cost Australia the 2003 world title, the Green and Gold are determined to never relive the nightmare.
Flanker Phil Waugh told Fox Sports that the Wallabies wanted Wilkinson to “hurt”.
“We want to make it as physical for him as possible,” he said.
Putting the England number ten under pressure may be the key to finding his weakness – Wilkinson has been plagued by injury since his team won the world’s premier competition four years ago.
Australia will also have to control the rucks to diffuse a strong and experienced English forward pack.
And if revenge isn’t motivation enough the Wallabies won’t have to look far for inspiration.
Former Test Vice Captain Morgan Turinui has been granted a second chance in international Rugby after being called to France to replace the injured David Lyons.
Lyons will miss the rest of the tournament after sustaining a broken leg against Canada.
Usually a centre, Turinui provides versatility and is likely to start against England in the number 8 jumper – and he has everything to prove.
Lote Tuqiri will be out to break the try drought that’s plagued him since the competition began – the Fijian born Rugby League convert hasn’t scored a single try yet.
The Australia – England game will be at Marseille.
OTHER BALL, OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD
Germany ended the FIFA Women’s World Cup, in China, in style last week (30.9.07) by claiming a stunning 2-0 grand-final victory over Brazil.
More than nine million people in Germany tuned in to watch the game which was broadcast on the country’s national channel ‘ZDF’, and beat all the previous year’s UEFA cup games for ratings.
It was a healing win for German fans who’d felt disappointment last year when their men narrowly missed out on a World Cup final berth at home, after many had predicted they’d win it.
Goal keeper Nadine Angerer starred for Deutschland in the final, saving a penalty shot by star Brazilian striker Marta, and pulling off several other superb saves, to earn her sixth clean sheet in as many games.
Brisbane’s Tammy Ogston refereed the game, becoming the first Australian to officiate a World Cup decider.
Former women’s soccer superpower the USA faced Norway in the play-off for third, and easily defeated them 4-1.
Australia’s Matildas exceeded expectations by progressing to the second round of the tournament for the fist time, before narrowly losing to Brazil in a thrilling knock-out quarter-final game.
The results meant the team eclipsed their previous records, as they’d never won a game at any World Cup.
Matildas’ star striker Lisa de Vanna took the tournament by storm, impressing crowds with her electric speed and exceptional skills on the ball, and was selected in the FIFA all-star team.
Heather Garriock, Collette McCallum and veteran Captain Cheryl Salisbury all earned AFC Player of the Year award nominations.
Reference:
Jenkins, P. Fox Sports (Home), ‘Wallabies to Hound Wilkinson.’ http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22515970-23217,00.html. 2.10.007.
FIFA.com, ‘Angerer Savours the Moment.’ http://www.fifa.com/womenworldcup/news/newsid=609321.html#angerer+savours+moment. 30.9.07.