|

WWC 2019 Semi-Final: Lyonesses

World Cup Winnie

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 we watched
and we willed;
a whole Nation –
that wanted to be thrilled

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 display wise, we were
of that, there is no doubt
but all that was missing
was a winning shout

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 VAR worked against us
but then went our way
only poor Steph Houghton (mighty captain)
couldn’t put the penalty away

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 valiant losers:
an all too familiar theme
but this Nation salutes
this laudable Ladies team

Notes

Tuesday 2nd July 2019, Lyon, France

World Cup Semi-Final

USA 2 – 1 England

There are different ways to lose:
1. Deservedly beaten.
2. Defeated controversially.
3. Defeated by sheer bad luck.
4. Defeated by fine margins – and wallow in defeat.

5. Defeated by fine margins – but before even leaving the field, the aura is completely: how do we improve, what do we do better next time, how do we ensure victory in the same circumstances……. and that is exactly what we saw and what we heard, from players and management and pundits.

And that is what we admire most about this wonderful journey that these heroines have brought us on.

Personally, I have my own opinions on VAR.
For the disallowed goal: everyone seemed to agree that technically it was correct to disallow our goal – I disagree with the rules as they stand.

For the penalty given to us:
in real time I thought Ellen White had to have been brought down. Then the initial tv replays certainly suggested that she had just missed the ball and the chance had gone begging.

And when it went to VAR: 4 different angles backed that up. But one other angle, showed that gut instinct was correct.

so I was delighted that the Referee appointed the penalty.

Unfortunately, Steph Houghton couldn’t convert the penalty, possibly nerves got the better of her, but there’s no doubting that she was a Titan of the tournament nonetheless. As was the whole squad. Kudos.

Tags: ,

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/wwc-2019-semi-final-lyonesses/