23 minute read
TOKYO 2020 GOLD CHASERS
BARCA LADIES TAKE THE FIRST
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FC Barcelona and fi rst-time ever are two phrases that aren’t used in the same sentence very often. The colossus of club football is very often at the top of the winner’s podium for competitions on both the women’s and men’s side of the beautiful game so when they do accomplish, it is a very special moment. Such was the occasion in Gothenburg for Barca as they defeated Chelsea 4-0 to claim top honors. The victory marked a number of fi rsts for the competition. Barca’s win was the fi rst for a Spanish side in the competition, breaking a fi ve-year run by Lyon who were knocked out in the semifi nals. With their win, the side from Catalan becomes the fi rst team to also win both the women’s and men’s Champions League. While the fi rsts are certainly nice, the work that the side has put in to make it happen is perhaps even more impressive. Although they were founded in 1988, the Blaugranes have only been a fully professional side since 2015. Like many clubs, Barcelona’s top brass almost exclusively focused on the men’s game leaving women’s football as mostly an afterthought. That philosophy across seems to be changing with the major clubs like Barca moving towards a more equitable solution between both genders. This season saw three of the major European clubs (Barcelona, Chelsea, and Manchester City) all make major inroads in
the women’s competition with Chelsea’s Lady Blues knocking off Bayern Munich to earn their fi rst-ever spot in the fi nal. As for Barcelona, their run included victories over Pomurje (8-2 on aggregate), Brondby (9-0), City (4-2 on aggregate), and PSG (4-2 on aggregate). The big shocker was perhaps the unseating of Lyon, who had won the tournament for fi ve consecutive seasons. PSG did the honors, upending their fellow French side 2-1 on away goals. For Barcelona, the hope was to erase the bad memories of their fi rst appearance in the fi nal: a 4-0 loss to Lyon in 2018-2019. They got a little bit of luck early with Chelsea conceding an own goal in the fi rst minute of the match then a penalty in the 14th minute. Alexia Putellas buried her chance in the back of the net, giving Barca the 2-0 advantage. As they had done all season long, they continued to press the gas on the attack with Ariel Banmati adding a third in the 21st minute. Caroline Hansen made it 4-0 with ten minutes to play in the fi rst half extinguishing all hopes for a comeback. "I'm lost for words. I don't know how I feel but I know I'm very proud of this team because we deserve it,” said Banmati after the match. “We've been working very hard since the fi nal in Budapest [in 2019] and we set ourselves a challenge, which was to get to another fi nal and win it. And that's what we did." The win caps not just an impressive season for Barcelona, but a major step in the development of the game in Europe. This season saw major inroads being made in terms of fi nancing youth development, television (this year’s Real Madrid-Barcelona match had a TV rating of 8 million in Spain), and in the organization of domestic competitions and the Champions League. “There are still a lot of things to work on,” said Barcelona’s Lieke Martens. “In the past, most of the girls at this level now didn’t have the same [things], like the Barcelona [youth] academy. I never had that. Imagine little kids who start playing now and have the same treatment as the boys. I think there is only a brighter future.”
OPPOSITE PAGE: Barcelona players celebrate their Champions League win
ABOVE: Barcelona has built one of the best women's teams of all time
BELOW: Lieke Martens, Barcelona star
TOP RIGHT: Maria Leon
In addition to receiving top honors as a team, eight of Barcelona’s players were named to the UWCL Squad of the Season. The squad also features multiple members of the Canadian and the United States Women’s National Team including Sam Mewis (US), who scored fi ve goals for city during their UWCL Campaign.
Goalkeepers: Ann-Katrin Berger (Chelsea), Christiane Endler(Paris Saint-Germain), Sandra Paños (Barcelona); Defenders: Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea), Marina Hegering (FC Bayern Munich) Kathrin Hendrich (VfL Wolfsburg), Ashley Lawrence (Paris Saint-Germain), María Pilar León (Barcelona), Irene Paredes (Paris Saint-Germain); Midfi elders: Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona), Grace Geyoro (Paris Saint-Germain), Patricia Guijarro (Barcelona) Sophie Ingle (Chelsea), Sydney Lohmann (Bayern Munich), Lina Magull (Bayern Munich), Sam Mewis (Manchester City), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona); Forwards: Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona), Pernille Harder (Chelsea), Jennifer Hermoso (Barcelona), Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Lieke Martens (Barcelona)
While the 2020-2021 UWCL season was a major success, UEFA has been actively looking at ways on how to further strengthen the competition ahead of the 2021-2022 season. Of the changes, the biggest is the introduction of a sixteen team group stage with four teams per group. This mimics the style of the men’s competition and replaces the knockout only format of previous years. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the knockout stage with the quarterfi nals and semifi nals both being two-legged rounds. The sides that advance to the semifi nals will play in the UWCL fi nals in Turin in 2022. The calendar will also mirror the men’s side with group stage matches starting in September/ October and the fi nals taking place in May. In addition to structural changes, UEFA has also adjusted their fi nancial distribution model for the Champions League, increasing the rewarding for winning the title and for the fi rst time ever off ering solidarity payments for teams that make the competition. Additional revenue will undoubtedly help players who in year’s past were considered semi professionals but also low-tier clubs balance their books.
GOLD CHASERS
MEN'S GROUP A
FRANCE
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Top Four, 2019 UEFA under-21 Championship HEAD COACH: Sylvain Ripoll BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: Gold Medal (1984) KEY PLAYERS: FWD Andre-Pierre Gignac (Tigres), FWD Odsonne Edouard (Celtic), MID Aurelien Tchouameni (Monaco), possibly Kylian Mbappe (Paris St. Germain) OVERVIEW: Les Bleuets will be coming into this tournament with a bit of a chip on their shoulder after having lost 2-1 to the Netherlands in the Quarterfi nals of the UEFA under-21 Championship earlier in the summer. Ripoll seems to have the backing of the French Football Association to call in a strong roster although Mbappe’s inclusion will likely depend upon how far the senior side goes in the EUROs. Even without him and a large chunk of their prospects who play for foreign clubs, the French are deep and should have little trouble in group play.
France may be able to have Mbappe for the Tokyo Olympics, depending on France's EURO 2020 run.
JAPAN
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Hosts HEAD COACH: Akinobu Yokuchi BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: Fourth Place (2012) KEY PLAYERS: DEF Maya Yoshida (Sampdoria), FWD Daizen Maeda (Yokohama F. Marinos), MID Kaoru Mitoma (Royal Antwerp) OVERVIEW: Expectations are high for the Samurai Blue, who were able to secure Yoshida, Mitoma, and Wataru Endo (Stuttgart) for the tournament. The Olympics will be a great test for Japan’s up and coming players, including Maeda, who is one of the top goalscorers in the J-League. If they can get a good result against France they could set themselves up for a deep run.
Maya Yoshida, Sampdoria defender
MEXICO
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? First Place, 2021 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament HEAD COACH: Jaime Lozano BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: Gold Medal (2012) KEY PLAYERS: DEF Johan Vasquez (Tigres); MID Sebastian Cordova (America), FWD Alexis Vega (Chivas de Guadalajara) OVERVIEW: This is a big tournament for El Tri with the Mexican FA looking to start replacing some of their veteran players at the senior level. Cordova and Vega are both coming on for their club teams in Liga MX and had stellar performances during Olympic qualifying. Considering Mexico’s needs to score early and often to make it to the knockout round so look for them to play a huge role in Tokyo.
SOUTH AFRICA
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Third Place, 2019 AFCON U-23 Cup of Nations HEAD COACH: David Notoane BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: Group Stage (2000 and 2016) KEY PLAYERS: DEF Tercious Malepe (Mynai), MID Kegs Chauke (Southampton), MID Thakgalo Leshabela (Leicester City), FWD Percy Tau (Brighton and Hove Albion) OVERVIEW: Bafana Bafana are back for a second consecutive Olympics and are looking to improve upon a tough Group Stage outing in 2016. While their backline and midfi eld should be pretty strong with Chauke and Leshabela as well as Malepe, who was named to the AFCON U-23 Best XI team during Qualifying, they may struggle to fi nd goals. Tau is a solid veteran to call in, but is coming off a tough campaign while on loan at Anderlecht.
GOLD CHASERS
HONDURAS
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Second Place, 2020 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament HEAD COACH: Miguel Falero BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: Fourth Place (2016) KEY PLAYERS: DEF Denil Maldonado (Everton-Chile), MID Edwin Rodriguez (Olimpia), and FWD Luis Palma (Vida) OVERVIEW: For years, Honduras’ recipe for success was predicated on stout defending and scoring on the counter-attack. While their backline is still strong, their attack seems to be opening up more. Martinez and Rivas formed a strong 1-2 combination during qualifi cation which should help Los Catrachos in Tokyo. and should have little trouble in group play.
Columbus Crew Midfi elder Alexandru Matan
NEW ZEALAND
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? First Place, 2019 OCEANIA Qualifying Tournament HEAD COACH: Danny Hay BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: Group Stage (2008 and 2012) KEY PLAYERS: DEF Hunter Ashworth (San Diego Loyal), FWD Noah Billingsley (Minnesota United FC), and FWD Myer Bevan (Auckland City) OVERVIEW: One of the biggest unknowns at this year’s tournament is New Zealand, who haven’t played a competitive match since their Qualifying tournament in early 2019. The Kiwis typically do not play many international friendlies and due to their government’s COVID-19 restrictions will likely have minimal preparation ahead of the Olympics. That is bad news for a side whose players play for club teams all across the globe and have minimal experience playing with one another.
Son Heung-Min, South Korea's young captain
ROMANIA
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Fourth Place, 2019 UEFA Under-21 Championship HEAD COACH: Mirel Radoi BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: First Appearance KEY PLAYERS: DEF Andrei Ratiu (Villarreal), MID Alexandru Matan (Columbus Crew), MID Marius Marin (Pisa) OVERVIEW: The Small Tricolours are looking to use this summer’s tournament as a springboard to hopefully better fortunes at the World Cup (this is their fi rst appearance in the Olympics and they haven’t qualifi ed for a senior World Cup since 1998). Although they didn’t make it out of the Group Stage at the 2021 European under-21 Championships, they also didn’t lose earning two tough draws against the Netherlands and eventual champions Germany. Ratiu and Marin have created a strong spine and will be diffi cult to break down.
SOUTH KOREA
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? First Place, 2020 AFC U-23 Championship HEAD COACH: Kim Hak Bum BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: Bronze Medal (2012) KEY PLAYERS: GK Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), DEF Kim Tae Hwan (Ulsan Hyundai) FWD Song Min-kyu (Pohang Steelers), possibly Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) OVERVIEW: South Korea are looking at gold at this year’s Olympics, and if they can get Heung-min as one of their three overage players it may just put them over the top. Even without their talisman striker from Tottenham this is a very talented, balanced side that allowed just three goals in qualifying and features one of the top young forwards from Asia in Min-kyu (K-League Best XI in 2020-2021). MEN'S GROUP B
IMAGES, FROM TOP LEFT, CLOCKWISE: Ezequiel Barco for Argentina, Ramy Najjarine for Australia, Mostafa Mohamed, for Egypt, Dani Ceballos for Spain
ARGENTINA
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? First Place, 2020 CONMEBOL Olympic Qualifying Tournament HEAD COACH: Fernando Batista BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: Gold Medal (2004 and 2008) KEY PLAYERS: DEF Hernan de la Fuente (Velez Sarsfi eld), DEF Claudio Bravo (Portland Timbers), MID Ezequiel Barco (Atlanta United) OVERVIEW: Argentina is perhaps the biggest dark horse at this year’s tournament. While that may sound strange to say one has to remember: most of their European players will not be available (see: Brighton and Hove Albion’s Alexis MacAllister). Batista will lean heavily on some of the top players from the Americas, North and South, who are looking for additional exposure or a second chance. Keep an eye on Barco, who is coming into his own with Atlanta and is still looking to make a jump with a big European club. This could be his last, best chance to impress.
AUSTRALIA
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Third Place, 2020 AFC U-23 Championship HEAD COACH: Graham Arnold BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: Quarterfi nals (2004) KEY PLAYERS: MID Panos Armenakas (Zulte Waregem), FWD Nicholas D’Agostino (Perth Glory), FWD Ramy Najjarine (Newcastle Jets) OVERVIEW: Goals, goals, goals. That is the biggest priority for Australia in the group stage. Arnold’s scored just six goals during qualifying, including getting shutout by eventual champion South Korea. The Soccerroos have struggled at all levels in recent years to hit the back of the net and it has cost them in international competitions. Can D’ Agostino (who scored half of their goals in qualifying) change their fortunes?
MEN'S GROUP C
EGYPT
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? First Place, 2020 AFCON Cup of Nations HEAD COACH: Shawky Gharieb Best Performance At An Olympics: Fourth Place (1928 and 1964) KEY PLAYERS: GK Mohammed Sobhy (Zamalek), DEF Ahmed Ramadan (Al Ahly), FWD Mostafa Mohamed (Galatasaray) OVERVIEW: Egypt cruised through qualifi cation based off of the strength of their backline led by Ramadan and the scoring precision of Mohamed (four goals in fi ve matches). They also showed tremendous poise by forcing a strong Cote D’Ivoire side to extratime in the fi nals, eventually gaining top honors. That persistence will be an asset for The Pharoahs against two tough sides in Argentina and Spain.
SPAIN
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? First Place, 2019 UEFA U-21 Championship HEAD COACH: Luis de la Fuente BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: Gold Medal (1992) KEY PLAYERS: MID Eric Garcia (Manchester City), Winger Fabian (Red Bull Leipzig), MID Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid) OVERVIEW: After years of treating the Olympics as an afterthought, Spain seem to be putting all of their chips in for this year’s tournament. De La Fuente has called in some of Spain’s best young players for this tournament, including Garcia, considered to be one of the top young midfi elders in the world. Both Fabian and Ceballos should help take the pressure off of Spain’s backline and give Javi Puado some help up top. A very dangerous side and a top contender for Gold.
BRAZIL
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Second Place, 2020 CONMEBOL Olympic Tournament HEAD COACH: Andre Jardine Best Performance At An Olympics: Gold Medal (2016) KEY PLAYERS: DEF Gabriel (Arsenal), MID Reiner (Borussia Dortmund), FWD Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) OVERVIEW: The defending champions look primed to make another deep run in Tokyo. While Neymar isn’t back Brazil does have a young cadre of prospects who are looking to make their name for Selecao including Gabriel Martinelli, who came on strong for Arsenal at the end of the season. The big question is if they can organize with minimal trainings before their fi rst match. Jardine will have his hands full creating chemistry between players coming from across the world in a short span.
IVORY COAST
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? First Place, 2020 AFCON U-23 Cup of Nations HEAD COACH: Patrice Beaumelle BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: Gold Medal (2016) KEY PLAYERS: DEF Silas Gnaka (KAS Eupen), MID Aboubakar Keita (OHL), FWD Youssouf Dao (Sparta Prague B) OVERVIEW: Cote D’Ivoire are in the middle of a rebuild after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and will likely use the Olympics to help give younger players experience. This includes Dao, who led Les Petits Elephants in scoring at the 2019 AFCON U-23 tournament. Against Brazil, Germany, and a strong Saudi Arabia Cote D’Ivoire will have their work cut out for them.
GERMANY
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Second Place, 2019 UEFA U-21 European Championship HEAD COACH: Stefan Kuntz BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: Silver Medal (2016) KEY PLAYERS: DEF Nico Schlotterbeck (Freiburg), MID Arne Meier (Hertha Berlin), FWD Lukas Nmecha (Manchester City) OVERVIEW: The Germans are looking for their second major youth title of 2021 after having won the 2021 UEFA U-21 Championship. Luntz will be bringing back pretty much the entire U-21 roster, including Nmecha who scored the game-winner against Portugal in the fi nal. What will be interesting to see is how they handle the pressure of playing a more seasoned Brazil side in their fi rst match. If they can get a favorable result and avoid a slip in the Group Stage, Germany may earn their fi rst-ever Gold Medal.
SAUDI ARABIA
HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Second Place, 2020 AFC U-23 Olympic Tournament HEAD COACH: Saad Al-Shehri BEST PERFORMANCE AT AN OLYMPICS: Group Stage (1996) KEY PLAYERS: GK Amin Bukhari (Al-Ain), MID Ayman Al-Khulaif (Al Wehda), MID Nasser Al- Omran (Al Shabab) OVERVIEW: After 25 years, The Green Falcons are back. While on paper it would be easy to write off Saudi Arabia given their lack of experience and the level of their opposition, history suggests that they will be one of the tougher sides in the competition. Al-Shehri’s side allowed just one goal during qualifying and have recently held both South Africa and Mexico to 1-1 draws. They are going to have to rely on the counter-attack but if they can sneak a goal they should earn some points.
PREDICTIONS
IMAGES, FROM TOP LEFT, CLOCKWISE: Arsenal's Gabriel will play for Brazil at the Olympic Games, Youssouf Dao for Ivory Coast, Lukas Nmecha for Germany, Saudi Arabia's goalkeeper, Amin Bukhari
MEN'S GROUP D
IMAGES, FROM TOP LEFT, CLOCKWISE: Ashley Lawrence for Canada, Chile Goalkeeper Christiane Endler, Lucy Bronze, Great Britain defender, Saki Kumagai for Japan
WOMEN'S GROUP A
SINCE JOINING THE SUMMER OLYMPICS IN 1996, THE WOMEN’S SOCCER TOURNAMENT HAS PROVEN TO BE ONE OF THE MORE EXCITING PARTS OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES. THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENT SHOULD BE NO DIFFERENT WITH THE FULL SENIOR NATIONAL TEAMS FROM SOME OF THE TOP SIDES AROUND THE WORLD LOOKING FOR OLYMPIC GOLD. SOCCER 360’S SEAN MASLIN HAS A FULL BREAKDOWN OF EACH SIDE WITH PREDICTIONS FOR THE THREE MEDALISTS.
CANADA
COACH: Bev Priestmann HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Second Place, CONCACAF Championship BEST SHOWING AT THE OLYMPICS? Bronze Medal (2012 and 2016) KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH: DEF Ashley Lawrence (Paris St. Germain), MID Sophie Schmidt (Houston Dynamo), and FWD Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns) OUTLOOK: Can Canada fi nally pull it off ? The Tokyo Games may be the last, best chance for a generation of Canadian players to earn a Gold Medal with Schmidt, Sinclair, Desiree Scott, and Stephanie Labbe all in their mid-30s. Priestmann has brought in a blend of veterans and younger players with experience like Lawrence that should make them a very dangerous side.
CHILE
COACH: Jose Letelier HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Defeated Cameroon in a CAF-CONMEBOL Playoff BEST SHOWING AT THE OLYMPICS? First Appearance KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH: GK Christiane Endler (Paris St. Germain) and Francisca Lara (Le Havre) OUTLOOK: La Roja Femenina have booked their fi rst-ever appearance in the Olympic Games after defeating favorite Cameroon in a two-match series. The result was a bit of a surprise considering that they haven’t played in too many competitive matches since their 2019 World Cup appearance. If they are to earn a spot in the knockout round Endler will need to put on three excellent performances.
GREAT BRITAIN
COACH: Hege Riise HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Qualifi ed as England via fi nishing fourth at the 2019 World Cup BEST SHOWING AT THE OLYMPICS? Quarterfi nalist (2012) KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH: DEF Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), MID Kim Little (Arsenal), and FWD Fran Kirby (Chelsea) OUTLOOK: Team GB is perhaps the most interesting side at this year’s Games. A side made up of players from Wales, Scotland, and England, GB will be making their second-ever appearance in the Olympics. The side is mostly made up of English players with Little and Sophie Weir (Scotland) and Caroline Weir (Wales) being the exceptions. That seems to be on purpose with each player fi lling in a weakness for the side. Adding three proven veterans to work alongside one of the top teams in the world should help get them into the medal stage.
JAPAN
COACH: Asako Takakura HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Hosts BEST SHOWING AT THE OLYMPICS? Silver Medal (2012) KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH: DEF Saki Kumagai (Bayern Munich), MID Yui Hasegawa (Milan), FWD Mana Iwabuchi (Arsenal), FWD Yuika Sugasawa (Urawa Reds) OUTLOOK: On paper, the Nadeshiko should be one of the contenders for a medal in their home Games. With an experienced backline led by Kumagai and an excellent creator in the midfi eld in Hasegawa Japan seems poised for a top three showing. But their lack of matches (they will have played just four international matches when their opening match kicks off July 21st against Canada) should be a worry for Takakura. Getting Iwabuchi and Sugasawa scoring early should help alleviate any concerns of rust.
BRAZIL
COACH: Pia Sundhage HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Won 2018 Copa America BEST SHOWING AT THE OLYMPICS? Silver Medal (2004 and 2008) KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH: MID Formiga (Paris St. Germain), MID Marta (Orlando Pride), and FWD Debinha (NC Courage) OUTLOOK: Can Marta earn the Gold? Brazil’s talisman midfi elder is back for possibly her fi nal Olympic tournament with a veteran heavy lineup and a coach in Sundhage that has previously two Gold Medals. The key for Brazil is fi nding balance on the attack. Teams will double and triple team Marta leaving ample opportunities for her teammates. Debinha, who has 40 goals for the National Team but never in an Olympics or World Cup, has to step up if Selecao have any hopes of winning.
CHINA
COACH: Jia Xinquian HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Won AFC Olympic Playoff Over South Korea BEST SHOWING AT THE OLYMPICS? Silver Medal (1996) KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH: DEF Liu Shanshan (Beijing Phoenix), FWD Li Ying (Meizhou Huijun), and FWD Wang Shuang (Wuhan Jianghan University) OUTLOOK: China seems to be giving off some dark horse vibes given that the side qualifi ed for the Olympics with relative ease (three wins and two draws) and that all of their side plays club football in China. But their fearlessness on the attack, led by former PSG forward Shuang and Ying, should give opponents some real worries. If their backline can hold, then China should have a chance at a medal.
NETHERLANDS
COACH: Sarina Wiegman HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Runners-Up At 2019 World Cup BEST SHOWING AT THE OLYMPICS? First Appearance KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH: MID Jill Roord (Wolfsburg), FWD Lieke Martens (FC Barcelona), and Vivienne Miedema (Arsenal) OUTLOOK: The Dutch are coming into the Olympics in excellent form, having lost just twice in their last nine matches. While Martens and Miedema are The Oranje’s best attacking options, Wiegman has multiple attacking options to throw at defenses. Despite this being their fi rst Olympics, this is a very polished side that is still smarting from their loss in the World Cup fi nals.
ZAMBIA
COACH: Bruce Mwape HOW DID THEY QUALIFY? Champions, 2020 CAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament BEST SHOWING AT THE OLYMPICS? First Appearance KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH: MID Racheal Nachula (Zaragoza), FWD Grace Chanda (ZESCO United), and FWD Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli) OUTLOOK: The Copper Queens enter their fi rst Olympic Tournament under diffi cult circumstances. Despite having won CAF’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, defeating heavy favorites Cameroon in the fi nals, they have lost three of their last fi ve matches and have had two games cancelled. Given their opposition’s attacking strengths, creating chances on the counter-attack will be key. Both Chanda and Banda were excellent in this role during qualifi cation and will need to once again step up to keep their side in matches.
WOMEN'S GROUP B
IMAGES, FROM TOP LEFT, CLOCKWISE: Brazil's legend Marta, China defender, Liu Shanshan, Lieke Martens for Netherlands, Zambia Captain, Barbra Banda
