Young performers give their all in the colorful opening ceremony for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer tournament at Hongkou Football Stadium in Shanghai Monday night. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, China’s General Administration of Sport irector Liu Peng, State Councilor Chen Zhili, Shanghai Party Secretary Xi Jinping and Mayor Han Zheng attended the opening ceremony before the match between Germany and Argentina at the Hongkou stadium. (Photo: Shanghai Daily)
THE 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup started in Shanghai yesterday with the United States a clear favorite but reigning champion Germany also looking to launch a new title bid.
The Germans have been depicted as over the hill and short of form in the build-up to the tournament and even the United States, gunning for a third World Cup title, believe the Germans may no longer be its most dangerous rival.
German coach Silvia Neid admitted self-belief was an issue in the German camp following her team’s 2-2 draw with Norway last month.
The Germans beat the United States 3-0 in the semifinals on their way to their 2003 World Cup triumph. Since then the U.S. team has gone from strength to strength and has not been beaten for over 30 months.
And while the draw has been kind to Germany — Group A rivals England, Argentina and Japan are not expected to stretch the champion — the U.S. team, which won the tournament in 1991 and 1999, has drawn the short straw in the “Group of Death,” Group B, along with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Sweden.
All three teams are top five in the world along with Germany and African champion Nigeria.
U.S. coach Greg Ryan has tipped group rival Sweden as the major threat to the side’s title ambitions, rather than Germany.
He also knows he has a major task in getting past the DPRK in the side’s opening match in Chengdu tonight.
“We start in Chengdu against the DPRK, and I have the highest respect for them,” he said. “Sweden is one of the favorites in my opinion, and I believe Australia and Canada could spring a surprise.”
The United States’ opening match could be crucial to the line-up of the quarterfinals, with the group runner-up facing the winner of Group B, which is expected to be Germany.
European Championship runner-up Norway is considered a favorite to top Group C and is rated as a realistic trophy contender.
Canada’s Norwegian coach Even Pellerud will have no qualms about spoiling the potential party in his side’s opening match tomorrow, with the increasingly powerful Australians also shaping as tricky opponents.
While stadiums may not be full for some matches, China’s passionate fans are expected to stream to the ground when the home team is in action, with striking sensation Ma Xiaoxu spearheading their hopes.
China has hired experienced coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors to raise its game and the side will need the extra lift to get past world No. 6 Denmark in Group D.
Domanski-Lyfors faced the media Saturday for the first time since the tournament hosts set up camp at their hotel in Wuhan. The Swede underlined her hope that the China team would “go out and enjoy their soccer” despite the evident pressure on their shoulders.
“Denmark and Brazil are both strong teams, but we’ll be fighting hard to qualify from the group. The Women’s World Cup is a tremendous challenge for us, but we began our preparations four months ago,” she said.
“I have a lot of experience in this tournament, so I know what it’s all about. From our recent training sessions I can see that in terms of our technique, physical qualities, belief and fighting spirit, we’ve come a long way. We can’t wait for the opening match against Denmark.”(SD-Agencies)