Wacky Wednesdays with Jenbiff

Soccer Frenzy

Official Logo to the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup (Photo Credit: FIFA.com)

Who would have thought that our football-loving, baseball watching country would get so excited over a sport that doesn’t allow the use of your hands? Majority of the people you will meet in your life will tell you that he or she played soccer as a kid, but very few were interested enough to try and go pro. As one of those soccer playing kids who’s always loved the sport, but clearly was not good enough to go pro, I look forward the FIFA World Cup, be it men’s or woman’s, whenever it is played.  

This summer the USA women’s team had a chance to show the world how much they had improved and that they were ready for this World Cup. I was very surprised to find out that they were ranked number one in the world! Who would have thought that the US would ever be ranked number one in the world in a sport that the rest of the world is obsessed with? Admittedly I was unable to watch as much of the Cup as I would have liked, but I made sure to clear my schedule and at least watch the final game. As I’m sure you know by now it was Japan vs. the US of A. The US girls started off with decent possession which allowed them to take 11 shots on goal by the end of the first half, but the Japanese girls weren’t standing around watching them. Japan had taken 6 shots on goal by the end of the first half but were aggressive enough to block all of the US’s shots and take over possession whenever they could.  

Alex Morgan after the US' first goal during the final. (Photo Credit: Zimbio.com)

The battle continued in the second half and in the 69^th minute Alex Morgan for the US scored! Japan has a good response when under pressure and are able to score in crucial moments, so in the 81^st minute Aya Miyama tied up the score, which led to over time. In the first half of over-time Abby Wambach brought the US team ahead, but in true Japanese fashion this cup, Homare Sawa tied up the score towards the end of the second over-time half.

So how do they break the tie now? The very much hated Penalty Kicks. I don’t think it’s very fair to put that much stress, responsibility and pressure on the goalie, when the rest of the game is so team based. Regardless of my opinion, the game must end somehow. The two teams alternated when taking the shots; the US missed their first three and Japan made the first and third, but missed the second. Even though Abby Wambach made her shot – the fourth shot for the US team – Japan also made their fourth shot winning the over all Cup. It was definitely a tough loss, but Japan deserved it. Especially because this is the first FIFA World Cup they have ever won. Congratulations Japan! Great Job! 

Abby Wambach (left) and Hope Solo (right) after winning player awards, but losing the Cup (Photo Credit: FIFA.com)

The Japan National team after winning the FIFA World Cup 2011 (Photo Credit: FIFA.com)

Random quote of the day: "Reach for the stars// And if you don’t grab em, at least you’re on top of the world// Think about it"Last week's answer: Boots & Boys by Ke$ha