Some brief words before I sleep and properly digest Canada’s thrilling, heart-breaking, exhilarating, maddening, extra-time 4-3 loss to the USA.
First, this was, without a doubt, one of the finest performances from a Canadian national team in the sport of football in the last half century. There was Christine Sinclair with a crucial and incredible hat-trick, a woman with, as one Tweeter mentioned, “Rocket Richard eyes.” Then there was the incredible dedication of Melissa Tancredi, the steel and courage of Desiree Scott, who refused to go off following an awful knee crunch in extra time. And there was Erin McLeod, the goalkeeper who received a lot of criticism in the group stage of this tournament, who commanded the area with precision timing and forethought (save perhaps on the US’ equalizer to make it 1-1, although she was not helped by the absence of a player on the line). Eleven women who gave us a glimpse of what this country is capable of in association football, who showed some of the dismissive doubters that Canada was the team to beat in this semifinal, and no other.
Even so when Canada led 3-2 with 15 minutes left, it seemed hardly believable, except the performance made us believe. And that would be the precise moment when reality came crashing down. Because we weren’t just playing the talented favourites in the USA—we were up against a Norwegian referee whose performance can only charitably be called a disgrace. After awarding the USA an almost never-given indirect kick after McLeod held the ball for 10 seconds (not the six stipulated in the Laws of the Game), she then proceeded to give a laughable penalty call. And, as has happened so many times before, Canada could not win the day on merit alone. As often happens, the winners were happy to gloss it over, Canadian pundits remarked on the heart of this team, how they could leave the pitch with their heads held high, and the world moved on.
The glory of a major tournament final remains on hold, for now. But few will forget how this team believed in itself once more, and showed the world that Canada could one day become a power in world football.
let’s here it for our girls.
its erin macleod
Erin McLeod. Mc, not Mac .
Thanks guys, fixed.
I couldnt agree more with you Richard about the display these women put on. The fight and heart they showed through out this tournament was brilliant. This is a team that has truely “turned the corner” and I expect there is more to come. They did this country proud today, and I believe have made a major mark on Canadian football. I cheered them on today as loud as I cheer Liverpool , and my wife would tell you that’s no small feat.
I dont want to dwell on it too much as the spotlight deserves to be on the women who wore the maple leaf today, but the refereeing was awful.
Come On Ladies , Win That Bronze Medal!
I would go so far as to say the referee had an agenda and followed through on it. Even if you erase the free kick for delay and subsequent GO USA hand ball call… I would argue there were a multiple of calls that were incorrect / favoured the U.S. Even if Canada won that game I would have to think Canada would request a review of this referees performance. An outright success from an official to influence the match to a result she felt was supposed to happen. OR she was rewarded, instructed and/or incompetent. Either way a disgrace.
Agree with you on most points but the goalie did cost us the game,wasn’t good in the other games and quite frankly has cost us in the past.Seems to make too many poor decisions,out of position and was warned at halftime for holding the ball…time for a change!
The goalie had a terrible game, totally agree. Crucial errors – US were not in this game!
1. No player on near post for 1:1… goalie must position the D properly on a corner
2. Holding the ball for >6 seconds… yes, a terrible call by the ref, but why take the chance? kick the damn ball away
3. off the line on the 4:3 cross… why? no chance to intercept the cross… stay on the line and the ball floats into the goalies hands. you stay or go all the way, not into empty space.
That’s 3 key errors. I didn’t see the Sweden game, but from what i hear, that was also a disaster in net.
Totally agree Alex, I was surprised the goalie didn’t get more criticism for the winning goal. Why the heck was she off of her line??
Watched about 30 games from Old Trafford this year and today’s game was far and away the most exicting game. So proud of the girls!
The real shame is the emotional and physical letdown of this game will probably cost them a bronze medal; however, I will remember their performance in this game and think of them as playing way beyond expectations.
Love that team!
Fair enough points, but your girl Mancredi could have been sent off with a second yellow about six different times. She seems like she was playing in the CFL, as did many of her teammates.
Also, you are assuming the USA squad would not have come up with an equalizer otherwise – and you know what they say when you assume, especially with this team. They have proven time and again that as long as there is a tick left on the clock, they are still alive.
No one can assume that Canada would have pulled it off without that call, but equally no one can assume they wouldn’t. We just don’t know. That’s the problem, the referee changed the game with a pair of terrible calls. What would have happened does not matter, it’s what did happen.
It’s one thing to lose to the better team, fair and square. It’s another thing to be winning and to lose your lead as a result of poor officiating.
Shut the fuck up you ugly fucking yank. Piece of shit, you got the help of a norwegian referee. SO shut ur yank mouth up
I agree with your sentiments, but call players by their actual names. By calling her “Mancredi,” you lose any credibility in the rest of your statement.
Considering world match-fixers openly bragged about fixing the Olympic tournaments prior to Euro2012… I REALLY think it is appropriate to re-read Declan Hill’s blog on match-fixing.
The man uncovered huge match fixing scandals – at several levels of soccer – and it is NOT tinfoil hat time. Declan Hill is an accredited journalist, who opened up several cases on this front, and actually KNOWS and can identify in a court of law some of the fixers, and they have been seen at the games.
This is an Olympics that has been unprecedented in its level to be bet on… why would an Olympic Semi-Final be scared?
Yes the decisions could be just horrible unfortunate co-incidences – but it isn’t always so at the Olympic level – Remember Sale & Peltier in Salt Lake (’02) and the fixing that went on? Can’t dismiss it out of hand…
READ HIS BLOG: http://www.howtofixasoccergame.com/blog/?p=289&cpage=1#comment-255184
shocking refereeing. sinclair is a savage. top class. why is our keeper 5ft tall?
In the immortal words of Didier Drogba, f’ing disgrace. Canada and Sinclair cut the US defense to shreds and deserved at least a draw and some penalty kicks.
OUR FOOTBALLING DARLINGS, this team will always be loved. As for that referee she can go Fuck herself. This olympics, has been full of bullshit.
Was a great game, shame about the dodgy ref.
I know I agreed not to comment any more but please bear with me.
1) ALL THREE CANADIAN GOALS WERE LEGIT. SINCLAIR IS THE BEST FEMALE FOOTBALLER IN HISTORY HANDS DOWN. WAMBACH CANT DO SHT.
2) AMERICANS HAVE STUPID TACTICS. THEIR OPPOSITIONS COUNTLESSLY ADMIT THAT DURING OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE SET PIECES THE AMERICANS JUST HOLD DOWN THEIR MAKERS AND TRY TO LET ONLY WAMBACH GET THE BALL.
3) REF SUCKED. MADE MORE THAN 2 BULLSHIIIIIIIIIIIT CALLS.
OBSERVE:
1) CALLED HANDBALL ON CANADIAN, WHEN IT WAS A FCKING CLEAR PASS VIA THE CHEST.
2) CALLED A FOUL ON TANCREDI WHEN WAMBACH CLEARLY BLOCKED HER OFF IN THE FIRST HALF.
3) HANDBALL IN THE BOX NOT CALLED ON THE AMERICAN DEFENDER. WHAT THE FFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUK. HAND/ARM CLEARLY MOVED TOWARDS IT AND ARM WAS NOT 100% IN LINE WITH THE FCKING BODY.
4) I. HAVE. NEVER. SEEN. A. REF. GIVE. AN. INDIRECT. FCKING. FREE KICK. IN. THE. BOX. AFTER. GOALIE. TIME. WASTES.
SHOULD’VE ONLY BEEN A YELLOW CARD AND LET THE GAME CONTINUE. BULLSH*****T.
5) OH, SO NOW IT’S A FCKING HAND BALL ON A CANADIAN?!?!?!?! HEAD TURNED AWAY. ARM IN A NORMAL POSITION. BALL WAS FCKING DEFLECTED ONTO HER BY THE PLAYER IN FRONT OF HER!!!!!!!!! HOW’RE YOU SUPPOSED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY WHEN THE FREE KICK IS THAT CLOSE?????????????
HOW CAN YOU CALL THAT IN A GAME LIKE THIS????????????????
HOW. HOW. HOW. HOW. HOW. HOW. HOW. HOW??????????????????
6) NO CARD ON WOMBACH FOR LATE CHALLENGE ON SCHMIDT????????????
7) NO CARD FOR WHOEVER ALMOST BLEW OUT SCOTT’S KNEES???????????? BALL WAS LONG GONE.
YES GOALKEEPER MADE AT 2 HUGE MISTAKES, BUT THE BETTER TEAM WAS CANADA. USA COULDN’T CREATE SHT OTHERWISE.
ALL OF CANADA’S ATTACKING PLAY WAS WELL WORKED. I’M HAPPY THIS WAS OLYMPICS SEMI FINALS, SO THE WORLD COULD SEE USA’S NEED OF PAID REFEREES.
GOOD LUCK TO JAPAN. I HOPE THEY DESTROY USA 10-0 AND PUT THEM IN THEIR PLACE.
THANK YOU SINCLAIR AND TEAM CANADA. YOU HAVE GIVEN THIS COUNTRY HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
A COUNTRY OF BARELY 40 MILLION CAN TANGO WITH A COUNTRY OF 350 MILLION???? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAH.
GOOD LUCK AGAINST FRANCE.
The only time I really watch soccer/football is during the World Cup and Olympics so I don’t quite know much about the intricate ruling of the game, but I do know that both Canada and USA put up a hell of a fight.
Yeah there was that wonky hand ball penalty (which looked more like it hit the elbow) but I personally and always think that when a games tied, it’s practically a 0-0 score. Both teams held each other off after the 3-3 tie up until the last goal at the 120 mark. But you can tell that Canada was getting really tired and their defense wasn’t as up to par as it could been, but there’s not denying that they did really good.
I’m American, but Sinclair damn near murdered Hope on those goals. At this point, I really hope Canada takes the bronze.
Just to let you know, a handball in soccer is when the ball hits any part of the arm when it is not against the body. There’s a little leeway with it, especially with the upper arm, but it doesn’t have to be the hand that touches the ball to get the call
Ah okay. Thank you for mentioning that.
Amazing match by the Canadian WNT yesterday! By far one of the best CNT matches I have ever seen :) The women can hold their heads held high. And there is no need for the women to apologize…they are Canada’s heroes for these Games
Are you all blind, or simply ignorant of the rules?
Tancredi should have been sent off 3 times during the game, including a straight red for an intentional head stomp on an american midfielder.
The time wasting call was a valid one under the rules, the goalie is allowed 6 seconds of possession, and she exceeded that limit several times in both the US and GB games. She was warned repeatedly, and the ref finally was fed up.
IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE RULES OF THE GAME, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE UPSET BY THE OUTCOME.
THAT’S IT???
YOU ONLY HAVE 2 POINTS????
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
1) THE ONLY GOOD THING THE REF DID WAS TO LET TANCREDI PLAY AND DISH OUT TO THE AMERICANS WHAT THE AMERICANS DISH OUT TO EVERYONE ELSE. YOU’RE BLIND FOR ONLY SEEING HER FOULS.
2) DOESN’T SOUND LIKE YOU’VE PLAYED COMPETITIVE FOOTY AT ALL HAHAHAHAHAHA. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. THE. REF. JUST. GIVES. A. YELLOW. CARD. AND. THAT. SUFFICES. ENOUGH. AS. A. WARNING.
IF THE REF WAS REALLY FED UP, THEN SHE HANDLED HER EMOTIONS COMPLETELY WRONG. SHE SHOULD’VE GIVEN A YELLOW…LIKE EVERY FCKING REFEREE ON THE PLANET. NOT WAIT UNTIL SHE WAS MAD WHICH WOULD AFFECT HER DECISION MAKING CAPABILITIES. ALSO THERE WERE TWO DIFFERENT REFEREES FOR BOTH GAMES. THE JAPANESE REF DIDN’T EVEN CARD HER EITHER. SO WHAT THE FCK.
CANADA > usa IN THE MOST MEANINGFUL MATCH.
WHY IS IT ALWAYS NORWEGIAN REF’S ANYWAYS???
IF YOU COUNT PLAYING FIFA ALL DAY BY YOURSELF AS “SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY PLAYED SOCCER”, YOU’RE HAVIN’ A LAUGH!!!
Yo Drogs, a simple “It’s a f**king disgrace” would have worked just as well.
You sir, are correct!
*ahem*
“IT’S A F**KING DISGRACE.”
i dont know what you guys are talking about dan played the game. So he knows everything. Fuck the experts he has played the game unlike anyone else who comments on this forum. He also clearly knows that abby wambach lunging into sophie schmidts knee, or that american midfield who was close to shattering desi scotts knee.
You have a right to your idiotic opinion, and so do I.
Unfortunately for you, mine is correct. Have fun watching your precious CWNT play in the bronze medal game without the chief whiners, tancredi and sinclair.
Really hurts doesn’t it, when the best female athlete Canada can produce has the best game of her life, and it still isn’t enough.
It burns!
Ahhhh shut up, ya keyboard warrior.
pathetic american troll. you should be as outraged as anyone else. if it happened against you you would be calling for a bomber strike of Norway.
and there are so many holes in your argument you obviously don’t know shit and i won’t bother pointing them out to you.
now fuck off and die
thats what i was saying you played soccer. No one else here must have so i guess that has been called many times while you were playing, and us keyboard warriors who have never played dont know the actual rules.