Entering 2015, @FIFAWWC looks back at 15 of the best moments from 2014 – a year that included 5 continental championships, close to 300 qualification matches, a pair of FIFA youth competitions, and a series of high-profile friendlies.
Germany beats Japan in the Algarve Cup final
2014.03.12 – In an Algarve Women’s Cup final that featured the last two FIFA Women’s World Cup™ winners (Japan in 2011 and Germany in 2003 and 2007), Germany came out on top with a 3:0 victory. Nadine Keßler, Anja Mittag and Dzsenifer Marozsán scored Germany’s three goals in the tournament final.
France beats England in the Cyprus Cup final
2014.03.12 – France beat the defending winners England in the 2014 Cyprus Women’s Cup final, France’s second tournament victory in three years (2012 and 2014). Gaëtane Thiney and Camille Abily scored in the win. As they would discover nine months later, France and England will meet each other once again in 2015, this time in the group phase of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.
Japan wins the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
2014.04.05 – Japan won their first FIFA women’s youth title, winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014 after a 2:0 victory over Spain in the final match. Japan was perfect in the final competition, winning all six matches, including two victories over runners up Spain. The FIFA youth competition featured players born 1997 or later.
28,255 fans watch Canada v USA in Winnipeg
2014.05.08 – Winnipeg provided the perfect backdrop to unveil the Official Slogan for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™: To a greater goal™. In what turned out to be the second-largest crowd for a Women’s International Friendly match in 2014, the two CONCACAF rivals played to a 1:1 draw at the new Winnipeg Stadium, one of the six buildings that will host Canada 2015 matches in 2015.
Thailand beats Vietnam in Vietnam to qualify
2014.05.21 – To the disappointment of 18,000 Vietnamese supporters, Kanjana Sung-Ngoen Thailand scored two goals in a match winning 2: 1, allowing his country to win for the first time a qualification for the Cup Women’s World Cup ™.
Japan wins the 2014 AFC Asian Women’s Cup
2014.05.25 – Aya Miyama of Japan was the MVP at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2014, since it helps his country to win its first continental title. Miyama a contribuer victories to face China PR (22 May) and Australia (25 May).
Germany wins the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
2014.08.24 – Germany won the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup for the third time, this time in Canada after a 1:0 a.e.t. victory over Nigeria. Lena Petermann scored the lone goal in extra time, doing so shortly after opponent Asisat Oshoala could have scored the winner for Nigeria. Meike Kämper, who posted the clean sheet, won the adidas Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper. The youth tournament featured players born 1994 or later.
Brazil wins the 2014 Copa America in Ecuador
2014.09.28 – Colombia went undefeated, but Brazil emerged as continental winners at the 2014 Copa América Femenina in Quito, Ecuador. Brazil’s Cristiane was the tournament’s top scorer, but neither Brazil nor Colombia scored in the final round-robin of the championship round on 28 September. The 0:0 draw was enough for Brazil to claim their sixth continental championship.
Nigeria wins the African Women’s Championship
2014.10.25 – Asisat Oshoala was the MVP of the African Women’s Football Championship. Oshoala a marquee duex times in the win 2: 1 Nigeria against South Africa (October 22), which helped his country to qualify, then marked another goal in the win 2: 0 against Cameroon for the continental title.
USA wins the CONCACAF Women’s Championship
2014.10.26 – Carli Lloyd of the United States was the MVP of the 2014 CONCACAF Championships Lloyd scored twice in the win 3: 0 against Mexico (October 24) and then scored another goal when winning 6: 0 against Costa Rica for the CONCACAF title.
New Zealand wins the OFC Women’s Nations Cup
2014.10.29 – Rosie White from New Zealand was the winner of the Golden Ball as the best player of the Oceania Women’s Football Cup. It helps New Zealand won matches against Tonga, Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands.
England draw record 45,619 for Wembley friendly
2014.11.23 – A national record 45,619 fans attended the England-Germany Women’s International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, also the highest attendance for a women’s match during the 2014 calendar year. After nearly hitting the target in the first minute (Jordan Nobbs hit the crossbar), the hosts conceded three times in the first half en route to an 0:3 loss to the two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winners™.
Image: tgsphoto.co.uk
Ecuador books the last spot for Canada 2015
2014.12.02 – In front of a record crowd in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on the last day of FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ Qualifiers – 20,071 “12th warriors” – visitors Ecuador claimed the last spot to Canada 2015 after an added-time winner. Mónica Quinteros, who missed the Copa América because of school commitments, scored the lone goal in a 1:0 victory.
Canada welcomes the world at the Official Draw
2014.12.06 – Canada welcomed the world at the Official Draw for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. All 24 finalists were in attendance to learn their opponents for the final competition’s group phase, with the 24 nations divided into six groups. Canada 2015 will mark the first FIFA Women’s World Cup™ to feature 24 finalists, with a record 129 nations having entered the competition that features 398 qualification matches (2013-14) and 52 final matches (in Canada in 2015).
Marta scores comeback hat trick against USA
2014.12.14 – Trailing 0-2, Marta inspired a come-from-behind victory as she scored all three goals in a Brazil 3:2 win over USA. Scored against the defending Olympic champions, it was in fact the first hat trick scored against USA since Canada’s Christine Sinclair turned the trick at Old Trafford at the London 2012 Olympic Tournament. For five-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta, it capped another remarkable season for club and country, with Brazil winning the December Four Nations Tournament just a week later.
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