Sport360's 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Awards

Andrew Gibney 16:58 06/07/2015
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  • USA won the World Cup but there were plenty of other thrills and spills along the way.

    The 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup has ended and it has been an amazing month of action all over Canada’s five time-zones. As the confetti settles across the BC Place Stadium pitch in Vancouver, it’s now time for Sport360 to dish out the awards and present the plaques.

    BEST GAME: Sweden 3-3 Nigeria

    It may have happened in the first round of games, but it was hard to top this astonishing game. After 31 minutes, Sweden looked comfortable with their 2-0 lead. However, Nigeria came out for the second half a team reborn and led by Liverpool’s Asisat Oshoala and Ngozi Okobi they caught everyone’s imagination and pulled the game back to 2-2.

    The Super Falcons were playing without fear and taking the game to the experienced Swedes. Pia Sundhage’s team found their composure again and scored a wonderful team goal to go 3-2 ahead, but the Nigerian’s refused to buckle.

    Caught cold by a superb ball by Ngozi, Sweden could only watch as Francisca Ordega raced through on goal to level proceedings with three minutes remaining.

    BEST GOAL: Carli Lloyd for USA v Japan

    Before the final in Vancouver there were a number of contenders for this award. However, Carli Lloyd had other ideas. She had already put her team 2-0 up after just five minutes, but she saved her best for last.

    Collecting the ball in her own half, Lloyd looked up as she reached the half-way line and launched an outrageous shot from 60 yards out. Japanese goalkeeper, Ayumi Kaihori, was off her line and try as she might, couldn’t back-peddle fast enough and couldn’t stop the wonderful effort from finding the back of the net.

    It was the first-ever hat-trick in a World Cup final and put a nail in Japan’s coffin.

    BEST STORY: England’s Bronze Medal

    Before the tournament, even the most hopeful pundits in the UK were predicting nothing more than a quarter-final appearance at this World Cup. A disappointing performance in the 1-0 loss against France didn’t fill the English public with much hope.

    Displays improved, wins against Colombia and Mexico saw the Lionesses reach the Round of 16 – from there they would go on to make history. England had never won a knockout game at a World Cup until their victory over Norway – which was also their first win against European opposition.

    Growing in confidence, they then knocked out the hosts Canada 2-1 after two quick-fire first-half goals from Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze. Heart-break would follow as Laura Bassett’s 92nd minute own goal saw Japan reach the final, but they would raise their game once more.

    In 20 previous attempts, England had never beaten Germany at any level. Nine months on from their 3-0 defeat at Wembley, England showed how far they had come, winning the bronze medal through an extra-time penalty from Fara Williams.

    BEST FANS: Ivory Coast

    Despite being beaten 10-0 by Germany, it didn’t stop the fans from the Ivory Coast enjoying their time at the World Cup. They would leave the tournament without a point, but full of pride and unbeatable spirit.

    BEST PLAYER: Carli Lloyd

    Starting the tournament in a flat 4-4-2 formation, USA and Carli Lloyd struggled to make an impact in the group stage, but as the tournament progressed the Houston Dash forward hit peak form when it mattered most.

    Lloyds has proved time-and-time again that she is a player made for the big stage. Goals in the Round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final saw Lloyd establish herself as the marquee player in the tournament.

    After 16 minutes of the final, Lloyd registered a hat-trick as the USA went on to record a 5-2 victory. She would win the silver boot – missing out on being crowned top scorer by playing more minutes than Germany’s Celia Sasic – and would receive the allocade for best player at the tournament.

    Carli Lloyd receives the accolade for Player of the Match in the World Cup final.

    SADDEST MOMENT: Laura Bassett’s own goal v Japan

    Undoubtedly, Laura Bassett was one of the best defenders at the World Cup, but she won’t be remembered for courageous performances. In the dying seconds of England’s semi-final against Japan, the defender tried to cut out a cross with an outstretched right-foot. Almost in slow motion, her touch agonisingly beat ‘keeper Karen Bardsley and creeped in under the crossbar.

    The images of Bassett inconsolable on the pitch will be remembered for a very long time.

    BIGGEST SHOCK: Australia beating Brazil

    No Australian team, men or women, had ever won a knockout game at a World Cup, but the Matildas would change all that with a brave and battling performance against Brazil.

    Armed with star names and a 100% group record, Brazil were favourites to reach the quarter-finals, but Australia had other ideas. The Aussies dug deep and prevented the South Americans from gaining any sort of momentum, then with 10 minutes to go, substitute Kyah Simon capitalised on a mistake from Luciana to make history for Australia.

    Australia players celebrate after beating Brazil for the first time in history.

    BIGGEST HOWLER: Ayuri Kaihori vs Netherlands

    Japan had controlled the game from start to finish, but in the dying minutes they gave the Netherlands a lifeline. You could say that Kaihori handed the Dutch a lifeline.

    Kristen van de Ven’s header should have been a routine save for even the most average goalkeeper, but somehow Kaihori completely mis-read the bounce of the ball and looked shocked as it deflected off her chest and into the net.

    BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Marta

    Often cited as the best player in the women’s game, Marta’s crown may have slipped during this tournament. She scored a penalty against South Korea in the opening group game to take her World Cup tally to 15 – making her the all-time top scorer, but that’s where her tournament ended.

    She looked off the pace and void of the skill and ability previously shown throughout her career. Brazil’s early exit can be accredited to Marta’s inability to perform in Canada. It looked like she was less than 100% fit, but that doesn’t take anything away from the disappointment.

    Marta had a disappointing World Cup campaign that culminated in an early exit for Brazil.

    TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT

    GK: Hope Solo (USA) – Saved her country from an opening game defeat and would go on to make key saves at important points en route to the final. She may have her off-field problems, but Solo cemented her place as one of the best ‘keepers in women’s football.

    RB: Lucy Bronze (England) – She started the tournament as a sub, but her bursting runs down the right, goals against Norway and Canada and strong, physical defensive play make her one of the tournament’s breakout stars.

    CB: Kadeisha Buchanan (Canada) – At just 19 years old, Buchanan was easily one of the best defenders on show in Canada. She read the game extremely well, looked mature beyond her years, and was a match for any challenge that came her way.

    CB: Becky Sauerbrunn (USA) – Beside Julie Johnston, Sauerbrunn was phenomenal. The USA only conceded goals in the first and last games and were impeccable in between. Her reading of the game and ability to time her tackles made the granite-like USA defence difficult to break down.

    USA's Becky Sauerbrunn.

    LB: Meghan Klingenberg (USA) – The US went over 500 minutes without conceding a goal and the positioning of Klingenberg was a huge reason behind this statistic. She always tried to burst forward and support the attack, but never left her defensive partners exposed.

    CM: Elise Kellond-Knight (AUS) – As a midfield unit, Australia were outstanding, but beside Emily van Egmond and Katrina Gorry, Kellond-Knight was exceptional. She was deployed deep against Nigeria and provided extra cover against their threat of pace and power through the middle. She also helped contain the Brazilians as Australia made history.

    CM: Amandine Henry (FRA) – Often forgotten and underappreciated due to the amount of attacking talent that France possesses, this was the tournament where Henry caught the world’s attention.

    Not only did she scored one of the goals of the tournament against Mexico, but her battling, hard-working, energetic midfield displays were key to France’s success. Against Germany, she was everywhere and did her best to put Les Bleues on the verge of reaching the last four.

    RM: Elodie Thomis (FRA) – Stifled against England and dropped against Colombia, it was the pace and direct style of Thomis that helped France find their way in Canada. She destroyed both the Mexico and South Korean defences, before tormenting Germany’s Tabea Kemme in the quarter-finals.

    AM: Carli Lloyd: USA – Joint top scorer, fastest World Cup final goal, first-ever World Cup final hat-trick…say no more.

    LM: Megan Rapinoe (USA) – As the USA were struggling to kick things off against Australia, Rapinoe stamped her authority with two excellent goals in the 3-1 win. She was influential and mercurial in every game she played.

    CF: Celia Sasic (GER) – There is no doubt that the hat-trick against the Ivory Coast helped her clinch the Golden Boot, but it was her composure to slot away two penalties against France that helped Germany qualify for the semi-finals. The missed spot kick against the USA spoiled her tournament, but overall she was solid. 

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