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The learners’ report is a shortened version of the regular weekly podcast. For our sixth learner’s podcast we look at the 2007 Women’s World Cup in China. We hope you enjoy it and you can listen to the report by clicking on the link above, while there is also a worksheet hereTranscript: The 2007 Women’s World Cup
As some of you may have noticed the Womena€™s World Cup kicked off last week in Chinaa€™s second city, Shanghai. 16 teams are taking part in 4 groups in 32 games over 20 days, and so far after each team has played 1 game, 39 goals have been scored, averaging out at 4.8 goals a game. Surely a feast of action for the fans that have turned up in their thousands to cheer on their teams, even if it has been said that many of the fans have been bussed in by the Chinese authorities to make the stands look fuller than they perhaps would have been.
But on the basis of whata€™s happened so far, a ticket to see the women play would be money well spent. The tournament opened with most punditsa€™ second favourites, Germany, demolishing Argentina 11-0. And in the same group England and Japan played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, with Japan scoring an equalizer, courtesy of an Aya Miyama free kick in the fourth minute of injury time. A lot of people felt there was no foul and it was cruel luck really after England had battled back from one nil down to lead after missing a host of chances. Another exciting end-to-Who said the womena€™s game isna€™t popular. A late winner by substitute Song Xiaoli, sorry for the pronunciation, sent the stadium into delirium and has put China in a great position to progress to the quarter-final stages.
As I mentioned, 16 teams are taking part and besides those already mentioned, Sweden, Ghana, Brazil, Canada, Norway, Nigeria, Australia and New Zealand are all taking part. FIFA president Sepp Blatter is in favour of expanding the number of participating countries. Which is a welcome change from his usual requests to reduce the size of shorts that women should wear. And with the increased media coverage this time it is hard to see the tournament staying as a 16-team affair.
Another affair that has been in the headlines is England striker, Kelly Smitha€™s goal celebrations where she kisses her boots. Apparently this hasna€™t impressed the German coach, Englanda€™s next opponents, who favours giving out yellow cards for breaking the rules. Hmma€¦ I wonder what the German coach would think of Australian hot shot, Sarah Walsh, who celebrated her goal by using a boot to make a telephone call? We can only guess. Keep your eyes out for a more traditional shirta€™s off approach perhaps.
Games to watch coming up. England vs Germany – England drew 0-0 with the Germans last time out and there is always a rivalry between these two countries even if ita€™s chess, USA v Sweden (the loser could potentially be going home, or at best facing Germany in the quarter finals), Brazil v China should be a cracker, and Australia v Norway has two physical sides looking to progress.
Plenty to look forward to in the Womena€™s World Cup 2007.
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