Women’s soccer World Cup – what SA viewers have missed out on

The women’s soccer World Cup has always stood in the shadow of the men’s version – hell, the first edition was only in 1991, 61 years after the men kicked off their first global tournament. But, the 2015 women’s World Cup in Canada has shown that it’s time to stop overlooking women’s soccer.  Since SuperSport decided not to broadcast the event, MICHAELSON GUMEDE brings you some key moments. 

1. Big score lines
Soccer purists might prefer a tightly contested game rather than a goal fest, but c’mon – who doesn’t love watching the ball finding the goal over, and over … and over. The highlights of Germany’s demolition of C‪ô‬te d’Ivoire (10-0) are certainly compelling viewing.

Watch: Germany 10-0 Côte d’Ivoire

2. New arrivals
This year’s the number of teams participating in the women’s World Cup increased from 16 to 24. Eight countries made their debut at the tournament – Cameroon, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Thailand, Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands – and the newbies showed they are no slouches. Cameroon and Switzerland both made it through to the knockout rounds.

Watch: Cameroon thrashing Ecuador 6-0.

3. Breaking online viewing records
Sisters are doing it for themselves – and beating the men – when it comes to online viewing. The Fifa YouTube channel reached 21-million viewers from the beginning of last month until 24 June, eclipsing the previous monthly record of 18.5-million during the men’s World Cup in June last year. And the tournament isn’t even over yet.

4. A cracking final (we hope!)
It looks set to be a showdown at the BC Place Stadium on Sunday. After edging England 2-1 through an own goal by Laura Basset in a nail biting semi-final, Japan has successfully reached their second consecutive final. Japan will go up against the US in a rematch of the 2011 final in Germany. Japan will have their sights on defending their crown, while the US will be seeking revenge.

Watch the 2011 final for a preview.

Amid the Fifa corruption scandal, the women’s World Cup has been a breath of fresh air. Here’s an idea: how about Fifa replaces Sepp Blatter with a woman?

– Featured image: By Joel Solomon via Wikimedia Commons.