Beaten France, Sweden ready to battle for bronze
Having lost in the women's World Cup semi-finals, Sweden take on
France on Saturday in the third-place play-off with both sides insisting
they are going for bronze.
Sweden went down 3-1 to Japan in Frankfurt on Wednesday, the same
night France were humbled at the hands of two-time winners the USA in
Moenchengladbach by an identical margin.
While Japan and the Stars and Stripes march on to Sunday's final, the
French and Swedes will clash having both already secured the two
available places at the London 2012 Olympic Games by reaching the
semi-finals.
After his side were dominated by Japan, Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby
explained why he pulled his squad together on the pitch in Frankfurt to
demand they focus on finishing their campaign with another victory.
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Cooray Sports Club Wellawatte received sports goods worth Rs.
50,000 from the decentralised budget of DEW Gunasekera Senior
Minister of Human Resources. Pictured here is former Minister
Colombo Municipal Council L. R. Stephen presenting the sports
goods to Cooray Sports Club during a ceremony held recently.
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"This third-place play-off is very important for us, it is the reason
why we got back together on the pitch," said Dennerby.
"I told the players we win and lose together, I said they have to
enjoy the next match as we will be fighting for a medal in a few days.
We need to recover and not be depressed."
Although Sweden striker Josefine Oqvist opened the scoring with the
opening goal after 10 minutes, Japan hit back as striker Nahomi Kawasumi
netted goals either side of half-time while captain Homare Sawa poached
a header.
France suffered a similar fate.
After US star Lauren Cheney put the US ahead in Moenchengladbach,
Sonia Bompastor equalised for the French before American forwards Abby
Wambach and Alex Morgan put the result beyond doubt.
But the French are also determined to finish their campaign on a high
with forward Gaetane Thiney insisting: "I think it's important to show
that we are the third best team in the world."
France coach Bruno Bini said his side have done exceptionally well to
reach the play-off.
"I'm proud of my players. Life's still beautiful because we have
earned the right to fight for third place, which is amazing when you
consider nobody was talking about us two months ago."
France had only previously played in one World Cup in 2003 where they
failed to get out of the group stages.
For Sweden, the prize is bronze and the chance to perform their dance
routine inspired by French rapper Moussier Tombola's hit Logobitombo one
more time for their fans in Germany. |
