Tue, August 8, 2023
SYDNEY (AP) — The traditional elite have been cut down to size at the Women's World Cup.
That has been the standout theme as a tournament that has already set records for attendance and goals scored enters the quarterfinals stage, and it has made for high drama.
“It’s been absolutely incredible and a great testament to some of the work that is happening around the world,” FIFA's head of women's football, Sarai Bareman, told The Associated Press. “To see the results of this World Cup brings so much meaning to the work that we do.
"It’s really special, not only for the players and the teams, but for those of us who are working on the game day in and day out.”
Soccer's world governing body FIFA is trying to grow the women's game at pace, and it seems to be having an impact.
Established nations have fallen one by one over the past two weeks, with the back-to-back defending champion U.S. team joining No. 2-ranked Germany, Brazil and Olympic gold medalist Canada by going home early.
The tournament, being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, has produced one upset after another.
The U.S. team's penalty shootout loss to Sweden in the round of 16 ended its bid for an unprecedented three-peat of World Cup titles.
Lina Hurtig’s spot kick crossed the line by a tiny fraction and that was enough to send the pre-tournament favorites packing, and prompting questions about the future of U.S. soccer.
Two-time champion Germany opened with a thumping 6-0 win over Morocco but was beaten by Colombia and held to a draw by South Korea in the group stage. Brazil started off with a 4-0 win over Panama before losing to France and drawing with Jamaica. Both Germany and Brazil were gone before the knockouts.
Tournament newcomer Morocco, as well as South Africa, Jamaica and Colombia all advanced. The Colombians, the only team from the Americas still in contention, face England in the quarterfinals after edging Jamaica 1-0 in the round of 16.
“This World Cup has been amazing. As you can see, the gap is closing (between) the smaller teams and the bigger countries,” Jamaica's Manchester City forward Bunny Shaw said. “Women's football is growing. We've got to keep moving forward and keep pushing.”
What remains to be seen is whether the upsets are a quirk of this year's tournament in the Southern Hemisphere, or a more permanent trend.
The Associated Press takes a look at some other trends from the opening weeks:
IMPROVEMENTS IN GOALKEEPING
There have been standout performances by goalkeepers so far, with the Americans repeatedly frustrated by Sweden's Zecira Musovic in the round of 16. The Chelsea keeper produced a string of saves and was voted player of the match as the U.S dominated but couldn't find a breakthrough in the game that ended 0-0 through extra time.
Netherlands keeper Daphne van Domselaar was player of the match as the Dutch advanced to the quarterfinals by beating South Africa 2-0.
While that game saw South Africa keeper Kaylin Swart make an error to allow Lineth Beerensteyn to score, she also pulled off a string of saves to keep the Netherlands at bay.
Nigeria's captain Chiamaka Nnadozie’s made a crucial save to deny Canada's Christine Sinclair a place in history in a scoreless opening draw, earning her player of the match accolades.
“Of course everything is not perfect, but I think we are going in the right direction,” said former Germany keeper Nadine Angerer, who is part of FIFA's technical study group at the World Cup.
“What we’ve seen so far in general is that there are way better goalkeeping performances.”
Angerer said the save percentage in the group stage improved from 70% in 2019 to 77%.
IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT POSSESSION
The tactical improvement of less-established teams has been as highlight.
While teams with fewer outright stars have had to cede possession, they have still managed to be effective.
Jamaica's tactical approach saw it advance from a group that included France and Brazil without conceding a goal. It was eventually eliminated by Colombia 1-0.
“Sometimes the decision when you go into a game is ‘Do I want the ball or do I want the opponent to have the ball?’ said Jill Ellis, who coached the U.S. to two World Cup titles. “But if I want my opponent to have the ball, I want them to have it because I want them to open up because my strengths are in the transition.”
So while Japan and Spain have dominated possession, Colombia's counter-attacking threat has also been effective.
“You’re seeing the personality or the strengths of nations come to the forefront,” Ellis said. “It’s not trying to take this style for this team., it is: ‘What is my team really good at and how can I exploit that?’ I see that a lot more in this World Cup.”
TIME ADDED ON
It was a feature of the men's World Cup in Qatar last year and FIFA is continuing to clamp down on time-wasting.
Lengthy periods of stoppage time have been played, seeing games go well beyond 90 minutes during regulation time.
While that initiative wasn't continued by major domestic leagues after Qatar, the Premier League appears set to follow it up this season.
Arsenal scored an equalizer in the 11th minute of stoppage time against Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday before going on to win on penalty kicks.
GROWING INTEREST
The Women's World Cup has been pulling in the fans.
Australia has twice played in front of crowds exceeding 75,000 in Sydney, limited only by the capacity of the stadium.
The attendance of 1,533,545 fans so far in the first two rounds has exceeded the previous record total of 1,353,506 when the World Cup was staged in Canada in 2015.
More than 500,000 people have attended fan zones in host cities to watch games on giant screens.
While this tournament has been expanded to 32 teams, up from 24, the fact that 14 games in the first two rounds have had crowds of more than 40,000 people points to the popularity of the event.
“This World Cup has shifted from being a team-supported tournament to a globally-followed event," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said. “This is why we are witnessing the greatest Women's World Cup ever — and a record-breaking one.”
___
James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
___
AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup
James Robson, The Associated Press
Bigger bonuses could change lives for tiny teams that advance in Women’s World Cup
Wed, August 9, 2023
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Players who reached the knockout round at the Women's World Cup got larger individual bonuses that can be life-changing for many of them.
FIFA designated $30,000 for the 732 players among 32 teams in the tournament field. The payout rises to $60,000 for players on the 16 teams that advanced out of group play.
The money grows to $90,000 for players in the quarterfinals and its a significant payday for many of the players, particularly those that have had financial disputes with their federations over pay and support.
Hildah Magaia, appropriately nicknamed the "Breadwinner” of South Africa's squad, helped the Banyana Banyana advance out of group play, into the knockout stage, and double her bonus.
She appropriately plans to use the money to care for her mother.
“I’ll be able to do everything for my mother because I’m the one who’s taking care of her," she said. “I’m the breadwinner, so I’ll be doing everything for my mom.”
Deneisha Blackwood, part of the Jamaica squad eliminated by Colombia in the knockouts, described the minimum payouts as a good start for her team. Jamaica has had financial difficulties and relied on crowdfunding to raise money for its travel to the tournament.
“Obviously we as players have a life outside of football and I think prize money like that rewards us in ways we can't imagine. A lot of us have bills to pay and family to take care of,” Blackwood said, “and I think for the younger generation, especially, football doesn't make you a lot of money. So for (girls) to see us doing what we love and realize that you can make a living off it — it's motivational.”
No one can ensure all the players will receive their guaranteed bonuses.
The global players union, FIFPRO, last year sent a letter to FIFA on behalf of players from 25 national teams asking for better conditions within the tournament. FIFA announced the individual bonuses of the $110 million prize pool in June.
But FIFA President Gianni Infantino said before the start of the World Cup that the federations would be responsible for distributing the payments. He was unable to make any guarantee that funds would reach the players.
FIFPRO said it was working to establish bank accounts for the players as well as an auditing process. But there have already been snags.
FIFPRO announced late Tuesday that it was assisting Nigeria's players in a dispute with their federation concerning bonus payments, camp allowances and expenses, some dating back to 2021. Nigeria narrowly missed the quarterfinals after a penalty shootout loss to England.
“The team is extremely frustrated that they've had to pursue the Nigeria Football Federation for these payments before and during the tournament," FIFPRO said. “It is regrettable that players needed to challenge their own federation at such an important time in their careers.”
In the run-up to the World Cup, South Africa players boycotted a warm-up match against Botswana because the individual payments weren't included in their contracts. The dispute ended when billionaire Patrice Motsepe, the president of the African Football Confederation, agreed to contribute $320,000 to be equally distributed among the players.
Some of the Jamaican players took to social media before the World Cup to complain about a lack of support and funding for the team. That spurred two crowdfunding campaigns to raise money for the Reggae Girlz.
The Jamaican Football Federation released a statement saying reports about the team's financial struggles had taken away from the team's accomplishments. The Reggae Girlz reached the Round of 16 but fell 1-0 to Colombia on Tuesday night.
“We of course welcome anyone who wants to contribute to the development of our national football teams, which have done well and made Jamaica proud,” the Jamaican federation said in a statement.
Nigeria forward Uchenna Kanu said the money was not the team's main motivation — playing well was. Nigeria reached the Round of 16, but fell to England on penalties after a scoreless draw on Monday.
“But of course, if we get paid that much money, of course it’ll have a huge impact on our lives," Kanu said. “We have families, we have things to take care of with money. That’s important for us as well.”
Players from the United States won a contract with U.S. Soccer last year that guarantees them equal pay with their men's national team counterparts. As part of the agreement, all tournament prize money funds are split between the two teams, with a percentage going to the federation.
The total prize pool at this Women's World Cup is more than three times the $30 million prize fund that was paid out at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France. But it's still far less than the $440 million in prize money for the men's World Cup in Qatar last December.
___
AP Sports Writer John Pye in Brisbane, Australia, contributed to this report.
Anne M. Peterson, The Associated Press
Wed, August 9, 2023
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Players who reached the knockout round at the Women's World Cup got larger individual bonuses that can be life-changing for many of them.
FIFA designated $30,000 for the 732 players among 32 teams in the tournament field. The payout rises to $60,000 for players on the 16 teams that advanced out of group play.
The money grows to $90,000 for players in the quarterfinals and its a significant payday for many of the players, particularly those that have had financial disputes with their federations over pay and support.
Hildah Magaia, appropriately nicknamed the "Breadwinner” of South Africa's squad, helped the Banyana Banyana advance out of group play, into the knockout stage, and double her bonus.
She appropriately plans to use the money to care for her mother.
“I’ll be able to do everything for my mother because I’m the one who’s taking care of her," she said. “I’m the breadwinner, so I’ll be doing everything for my mom.”
Deneisha Blackwood, part of the Jamaica squad eliminated by Colombia in the knockouts, described the minimum payouts as a good start for her team. Jamaica has had financial difficulties and relied on crowdfunding to raise money for its travel to the tournament.
“Obviously we as players have a life outside of football and I think prize money like that rewards us in ways we can't imagine. A lot of us have bills to pay and family to take care of,” Blackwood said, “and I think for the younger generation, especially, football doesn't make you a lot of money. So for (girls) to see us doing what we love and realize that you can make a living off it — it's motivational.”
No one can ensure all the players will receive their guaranteed bonuses.
The global players union, FIFPRO, last year sent a letter to FIFA on behalf of players from 25 national teams asking for better conditions within the tournament. FIFA announced the individual bonuses of the $110 million prize pool in June.
But FIFA President Gianni Infantino said before the start of the World Cup that the federations would be responsible for distributing the payments. He was unable to make any guarantee that funds would reach the players.
FIFPRO said it was working to establish bank accounts for the players as well as an auditing process. But there have already been snags.
FIFPRO announced late Tuesday that it was assisting Nigeria's players in a dispute with their federation concerning bonus payments, camp allowances and expenses, some dating back to 2021. Nigeria narrowly missed the quarterfinals after a penalty shootout loss to England.
“The team is extremely frustrated that they've had to pursue the Nigeria Football Federation for these payments before and during the tournament," FIFPRO said. “It is regrettable that players needed to challenge their own federation at such an important time in their careers.”
In the run-up to the World Cup, South Africa players boycotted a warm-up match against Botswana because the individual payments weren't included in their contracts. The dispute ended when billionaire Patrice Motsepe, the president of the African Football Confederation, agreed to contribute $320,000 to be equally distributed among the players.
Some of the Jamaican players took to social media before the World Cup to complain about a lack of support and funding for the team. That spurred two crowdfunding campaigns to raise money for the Reggae Girlz.
The Jamaican Football Federation released a statement saying reports about the team's financial struggles had taken away from the team's accomplishments. The Reggae Girlz reached the Round of 16 but fell 1-0 to Colombia on Tuesday night.
“We of course welcome anyone who wants to contribute to the development of our national football teams, which have done well and made Jamaica proud,” the Jamaican federation said in a statement.
Nigeria forward Uchenna Kanu said the money was not the team's main motivation — playing well was. Nigeria reached the Round of 16, but fell to England on penalties after a scoreless draw on Monday.
“But of course, if we get paid that much money, of course it’ll have a huge impact on our lives," Kanu said. “We have families, we have things to take care of with money. That’s important for us as well.”
Players from the United States won a contract with U.S. Soccer last year that guarantees them equal pay with their men's national team counterparts. As part of the agreement, all tournament prize money funds are split between the two teams, with a percentage going to the federation.
The total prize pool at this Women's World Cup is more than three times the $30 million prize fund that was paid out at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France. But it's still far less than the $440 million in prize money for the men's World Cup in Qatar last December.
___
AP Sports Writer John Pye in Brisbane, Australia, contributed to this report.
Anne M. Peterson, The Associated Press
For Nigeria's Super Falcons, a narrow Women's World Cup exit is the start of a journey, not the end
1/11
APTOPIX
1/11
APTOPIX
WWCup
England Nigeria Soccer
Nigeria's goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie saves a ball during the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between England and Nigeria in Brisbane, Australia, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
Nigeria's players react during a penalty shootout during the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between England and Nigeria in Brisbane, Australia, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023.
Nigeria's goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie saves a ball during the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between England and Nigeria in Brisbane, Australia, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
Nigeria's players react during a penalty shootout during the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between England and Nigeria in Brisbane, Australia, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023.
\(AP Photo/Tertius Pick
JOHN PYE
Updated Tue, August 8, 2023
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Chiamaka Nnadozie’s Nigeria lineup had two chances hit the crossbar in a scoreless draw, and only missed out on the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals after losing a penalty shootout against England.
By taking the European champions right to the wire, the Super Falcons proved, once again, that rankings are less important than respect for rival teams under the tournament’s expanded 32-team format.
In the group stage, Nigeria held Olympic champion Canada to a 0-0 draw, upset co-host Australia 3-2 and advanced to the knockout stage after a 0-0 draw with Ireland.
A late red card for England forward Lauren James for stomping on Nigeria defender Michelle Alozie took the focus off two tight halves of football on Monday night that could have gone either way.
Ashleigh Plumptre's left-foot strike cannoned into the crossbar in the 17th minute and her right-foot shot, moments after the ball rebounded, forced a diving save from England goalkeeper Mary Earps. Uchenna Kanu's two second-half headers went within inches.
Had any of those chances found the back of the net, it's likely Nigeria would have gone on to win a knockout match for the first time in nine trips to the Women's World Cup and England would have followed the defending champion U.S. team, No. 2-ranked Germany, Canada and Brazil through the exit.
“Coming to the World Cup we had so many dreams. So sad today, but it’s not the end,” Nnadozie, Nigeria’s goalkeeper and team leader, said. “We’ve been playing tough, tough games. There’s no easy teams. We respect them all. Right now, we have to work harder and come back stronger again.”
Nigeria’s players leave this World Cup with respect well-earned on the field that they now want matched by their national soccer federation in a dispute over bonus payments and expenses dating back to 2021.
The global player’s union FIFPRO issued a statement the morning after Nigeria's exit to say it was time to speak out and work on ensuring the players’ “contractual rights are honored and the outstanding payments are settled.”
By reaching the round of 16, each player should get $60,000 from FIFA’s prize money fund according to the escalating scale of payments guaranteed by the sport's governing body.
The union said the players are “extremely frustrated” at having to chase their federation for promised pay and expenses.
“It is regrettable,” FIFPRO said, “that players needed to challenge their own federation at such an important time in their careers.”
The federation accused FIFPRO of “shouting from far off” and said in a statement that is has “no issues with the players. It had assured them before the World Cup that they would be paid the couple of friendly matches and qualifying matches for which they were being owed appearance fees and bonuses respectively. It pledged to pay the money once the World Cup money is paid.”
Nigeria was ranked 40th the world in June but the players and coaching staff never had any doubts they could mix it with the elite teams on the biggest stage for the women's game.
“We’re not surprised to get to this stage. We believe in ourselves,” Nnadozie said. “We knew we could come here and go far. We just have to keep our heads up.”
Plumptre grew up playing as a forward in England's youth teams before making a choice to represent Nigeria, and didn't regret it for a minute.
“Football for me is more of a life journey that I’m on. I wanted to explore more of my heritage,” she said. “For me, this, even though it’s football, it’s learning. For me, there’s nothing more fulfilling. I’m disappointed in the result, but grateful I’ve had the opportunity.”
Now a center back, the 25-year-old Plumptre said the Super Falcons had set a higher bar for future performances.
“We have the expectation that we should be competing with the top-ranked teams,” she said. "We should be pushing them to the very end. We can be getting results against them. Because, not only this game have we done that, but we’ve done that throughout the group stage as well.
“We’ve proven that in this tournament and I’m sure we can do that going forward.”
Nigeria's American coach Randy Waldrum silenced his pre-tournament critics by preparing a team that went within the thickness of a crossbar of reaching the last eight at the World Cup.
“I take away that we can be and probably should be one of the top teams in the world," he said. “I certainly hope that FIFA ranking goes from 42 to a better number. More importantly, I think we’ve just shown that we’re capable of playing with anybody.”
Waldrum said Nigeria's supporters should be proud of the Super Falcons and, of course, the players should be appreciated.
“We gave everything. I certainly hope that people back in Nigeria appreciate the job that they’ve done while they’re here and I would hope that they’re happy, not upset,” he said. “I think we made the country proud and hopefully, around the world.”
JOHN PYE
Updated Tue, August 8, 2023
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Chiamaka Nnadozie’s Nigeria lineup had two chances hit the crossbar in a scoreless draw, and only missed out on the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals after losing a penalty shootout against England.
By taking the European champions right to the wire, the Super Falcons proved, once again, that rankings are less important than respect for rival teams under the tournament’s expanded 32-team format.
In the group stage, Nigeria held Olympic champion Canada to a 0-0 draw, upset co-host Australia 3-2 and advanced to the knockout stage after a 0-0 draw with Ireland.
A late red card for England forward Lauren James for stomping on Nigeria defender Michelle Alozie took the focus off two tight halves of football on Monday night that could have gone either way.
Ashleigh Plumptre's left-foot strike cannoned into the crossbar in the 17th minute and her right-foot shot, moments after the ball rebounded, forced a diving save from England goalkeeper Mary Earps. Uchenna Kanu's two second-half headers went within inches.
Had any of those chances found the back of the net, it's likely Nigeria would have gone on to win a knockout match for the first time in nine trips to the Women's World Cup and England would have followed the defending champion U.S. team, No. 2-ranked Germany, Canada and Brazil through the exit.
“Coming to the World Cup we had so many dreams. So sad today, but it’s not the end,” Nnadozie, Nigeria’s goalkeeper and team leader, said. “We’ve been playing tough, tough games. There’s no easy teams. We respect them all. Right now, we have to work harder and come back stronger again.”
Nigeria’s players leave this World Cup with respect well-earned on the field that they now want matched by their national soccer federation in a dispute over bonus payments and expenses dating back to 2021.
The global player’s union FIFPRO issued a statement the morning after Nigeria's exit to say it was time to speak out and work on ensuring the players’ “contractual rights are honored and the outstanding payments are settled.”
By reaching the round of 16, each player should get $60,000 from FIFA’s prize money fund according to the escalating scale of payments guaranteed by the sport's governing body.
The union said the players are “extremely frustrated” at having to chase their federation for promised pay and expenses.
“It is regrettable,” FIFPRO said, “that players needed to challenge their own federation at such an important time in their careers.”
The federation accused FIFPRO of “shouting from far off” and said in a statement that is has “no issues with the players. It had assured them before the World Cup that they would be paid the couple of friendly matches and qualifying matches for which they were being owed appearance fees and bonuses respectively. It pledged to pay the money once the World Cup money is paid.”
Nigeria was ranked 40th the world in June but the players and coaching staff never had any doubts they could mix it with the elite teams on the biggest stage for the women's game.
“We’re not surprised to get to this stage. We believe in ourselves,” Nnadozie said. “We knew we could come here and go far. We just have to keep our heads up.”
Plumptre grew up playing as a forward in England's youth teams before making a choice to represent Nigeria, and didn't regret it for a minute.
“Football for me is more of a life journey that I’m on. I wanted to explore more of my heritage,” she said. “For me, this, even though it’s football, it’s learning. For me, there’s nothing more fulfilling. I’m disappointed in the result, but grateful I’ve had the opportunity.”
Now a center back, the 25-year-old Plumptre said the Super Falcons had set a higher bar for future performances.
“We have the expectation that we should be competing with the top-ranked teams,” she said. "We should be pushing them to the very end. We can be getting results against them. Because, not only this game have we done that, but we’ve done that throughout the group stage as well.
“We’ve proven that in this tournament and I’m sure we can do that going forward.”
Nigeria's American coach Randy Waldrum silenced his pre-tournament critics by preparing a team that went within the thickness of a crossbar of reaching the last eight at the World Cup.
“I take away that we can be and probably should be one of the top teams in the world," he said. “I certainly hope that FIFA ranking goes from 42 to a better number. More importantly, I think we’ve just shown that we’re capable of playing with anybody.”
Waldrum said Nigeria's supporters should be proud of the Super Falcons and, of course, the players should be appreciated.
“We gave everything. I certainly hope that people back in Nigeria appreciate the job that they’ve done while they’re here and I would hope that they’re happy, not upset,” he said. “I think we made the country proud and hopefully, around the world.”
Marta, Sinclair and Rapinoe among the generational talents retiring after Women's World Cup
The Canadian Press
Wed, August 9, 2023
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Generational talents Marta, Christine Sinclair and Megan Rapinoe have all played in their final Women's World Cup and are leaving the game in a much different place than when they started.
Joining them in the group of players ending their international careers is Estefania Banini of Argentina, who said it's time to make way for younger players. Caroline Seger of Sweden is still playing in the tournament, but she has already said that it will be her last.
“It's emotional. Those are some of the greatest football players of all time, players that I've looked up to,” said United States captain Lindsey Horan as her eyes filled with tears. “Pinoe, Sinc, both of them I got to play with. Marta, one of the GOATs. It's hard as a football player to see these guys exiting like this, but look at how much they did for women's football. Them on the field, their character, everything. They're the reason we're all here today.”
Marta, the Brazilian player once dubbed “Pele in Skirts” by the legendary Pele himself, raised the profile of women's soccer in her home country with her dazzling play that she learned from boys on the streets of Dois Riachos.
The 37-year-old was tearful when Brazil was surprisingly eliminated from the tournament in the group stage. It was her sixth World Cup and she fell short of becoming the first player — male or female — to score in all six.
At the team's final match she looked across the field at young teammates Laurinha and Bruninha, and realized that there's more work to be done for the Brazilian national team.
“Women’s football doesn’t end here. Women’s football in Brazil doesn’t end here. We need to understand this,” she said.
Marta has scored 115 goals for Brazil, including a record 17 goals at the World Cup. She has been named the FIFA women's player of the year a record six times.
Rapinoe, 38, announced before the World Cup that it would be her last. She will play out the season with her club team, OL Reign, before retiring from the game.
She finishes as one of the most decorated U.S. players ever. In addition to two World Cup titles, and Olympic gold and bronze medals, she won the prestigious Ballon d'Or as well as a FIFA best player award. She was also awarded the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, for her social justice work.
Rapinoe was among the players who fought for, and won, equal pay with the men's national team.
Rapinoe's World Cup career ended with a missed penalty. The United States were sent out of the tournament in a shootout in the Round of 16 with Sweden after a scoreless draw. It was the team's earliest ever exit.
“It's been an honor,” Rapinoe said, her eyes welling with tears.
Sinclair's future with the Canadian national team is unsettled, although at 40 this was assuredly her final World Cup. Canada is set to face Jamaica on Sept. 26 in Toronto for a spot in the Paris Olympics next year, and Sinclair hasn't said whether she'll play.
Sinclair has scored a record 190 international goals, most among men and women. As captain of the team, she was dogged throughout the World Cup by questions about an ongoing contract dispute between the players and Canada Soccer.
The women's team has been playing without a contract for more than a year, demanding better pay and treatment.
After Canada was eliminated in the group stage, Sinclair called on her federation to support the team to avoid future early exits.
“I think more of it is like a wake-up call for our federation — the lack of a professional league, the lack of support for our youth national teams," she said. "I think you’re just going to continue to see teams reach our level, surpass us, whatever you want to call it, if things don’t change.”
Seger, 38, has been struggling with a calf injury at the World Cup. Sweden advanced to the quarterfinals, by defeating the United States on penalties after a scoreless draw, and will face Japan on Friday in Auckland. It is Seger's fifth World Cup.
Seger’s 235 appearances for Sweden are the most for any female player in Europe, and although she has two Olympic silver medals and two World Cup third-place finishes, Sweden has never won a major tournament.
“For me to be here with this national team and trying to do that, it’s my last chance. I mean, I’m not going to play any more World Cups so for me that’s the end," she said. "To be able to hopefully help the team in every way I can to bring home the gold would be of course a dream come true.”
Banini was in tears following Argentina's final match at the World Cup against Sweden. Known as the “Mendoza Messi" in reference to her hometown, she returned to La Albiceleste last year after a lengthy absence over what she said was the poor treatment of the women's team.
“I was able to fulfill what I wanted: play in the United States, play on a great team and play in a World Cup with the national team, that was my great dream. I’m living what I always dreamed of," she said. "I think I achieved everything I fought to improve, and now I have to step aside. I hope they continue fighting for women’s football."
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup
Anne M. Peterson, The Associated Press
The Canadian Press
Wed, August 9, 2023
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Generational talents Marta, Christine Sinclair and Megan Rapinoe have all played in their final Women's World Cup and are leaving the game in a much different place than when they started.
Joining them in the group of players ending their international careers is Estefania Banini of Argentina, who said it's time to make way for younger players. Caroline Seger of Sweden is still playing in the tournament, but she has already said that it will be her last.
“It's emotional. Those are some of the greatest football players of all time, players that I've looked up to,” said United States captain Lindsey Horan as her eyes filled with tears. “Pinoe, Sinc, both of them I got to play with. Marta, one of the GOATs. It's hard as a football player to see these guys exiting like this, but look at how much they did for women's football. Them on the field, their character, everything. They're the reason we're all here today.”
Marta, the Brazilian player once dubbed “Pele in Skirts” by the legendary Pele himself, raised the profile of women's soccer in her home country with her dazzling play that she learned from boys on the streets of Dois Riachos.
The 37-year-old was tearful when Brazil was surprisingly eliminated from the tournament in the group stage. It was her sixth World Cup and she fell short of becoming the first player — male or female — to score in all six.
At the team's final match she looked across the field at young teammates Laurinha and Bruninha, and realized that there's more work to be done for the Brazilian national team.
“Women’s football doesn’t end here. Women’s football in Brazil doesn’t end here. We need to understand this,” she said.
Marta has scored 115 goals for Brazil, including a record 17 goals at the World Cup. She has been named the FIFA women's player of the year a record six times.
Rapinoe, 38, announced before the World Cup that it would be her last. She will play out the season with her club team, OL Reign, before retiring from the game.
She finishes as one of the most decorated U.S. players ever. In addition to two World Cup titles, and Olympic gold and bronze medals, she won the prestigious Ballon d'Or as well as a FIFA best player award. She was also awarded the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, for her social justice work.
Rapinoe was among the players who fought for, and won, equal pay with the men's national team.
Rapinoe's World Cup career ended with a missed penalty. The United States were sent out of the tournament in a shootout in the Round of 16 with Sweden after a scoreless draw. It was the team's earliest ever exit.
“It's been an honor,” Rapinoe said, her eyes welling with tears.
Sinclair's future with the Canadian national team is unsettled, although at 40 this was assuredly her final World Cup. Canada is set to face Jamaica on Sept. 26 in Toronto for a spot in the Paris Olympics next year, and Sinclair hasn't said whether she'll play.
Sinclair has scored a record 190 international goals, most among men and women. As captain of the team, she was dogged throughout the World Cup by questions about an ongoing contract dispute between the players and Canada Soccer.
The women's team has been playing without a contract for more than a year, demanding better pay and treatment.
After Canada was eliminated in the group stage, Sinclair called on her federation to support the team to avoid future early exits.
“I think more of it is like a wake-up call for our federation — the lack of a professional league, the lack of support for our youth national teams," she said. "I think you’re just going to continue to see teams reach our level, surpass us, whatever you want to call it, if things don’t change.”
Seger, 38, has been struggling with a calf injury at the World Cup. Sweden advanced to the quarterfinals, by defeating the United States on penalties after a scoreless draw, and will face Japan on Friday in Auckland. It is Seger's fifth World Cup.
Seger’s 235 appearances for Sweden are the most for any female player in Europe, and although she has two Olympic silver medals and two World Cup third-place finishes, Sweden has never won a major tournament.
“For me to be here with this national team and trying to do that, it’s my last chance. I mean, I’m not going to play any more World Cups so for me that’s the end," she said. "To be able to hopefully help the team in every way I can to bring home the gold would be of course a dream come true.”
Banini was in tears following Argentina's final match at the World Cup against Sweden. Known as the “Mendoza Messi" in reference to her hometown, she returned to La Albiceleste last year after a lengthy absence over what she said was the poor treatment of the women's team.
“I was able to fulfill what I wanted: play in the United States, play on a great team and play in a World Cup with the national team, that was my great dream. I’m living what I always dreamed of," she said. "I think I achieved everything I fought to improve, and now I have to step aside. I hope they continue fighting for women’s football."
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup
Anne M. Peterson, The Associated Press
No comments:
Post a Comment