Group A of the women’s football tournament at the 2024 Summer Olympics is shaping up to be attractive, as it includes both the hosts and the reigning gold medallists. The chance of the third-place team advancing will increase as Colombia looks towards making history.
Current FIFA ranking: #2
Olympic history: 2 past appearances; Result: Semi-finalists (2012)
Main trophies: N/A
France failed to qualify for the last Olympics, but did enough to earn a place in qualification this time, even though they were already there as hosts. Hervé Renard has announced that this tournament will be his last as head coach of the team. , so they will have to end their mandate on a high note.
Just a week ago, France booked their place at Euro 2025 by overcoming a complicated organisation ahead of England and Sweden. Before that, they reached the final of the inaugural edition of the UEFA Nations League before losing to world champions Spain. Their last World Cup. It wasn’t bad either, as they retired without tasting defeat, wasting only the consequences for Australia.
Renard has a reputation as a specialist in foreign football tournaments, having become the first coach to lead two other countries to glory in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the men’s competition. His technique revolves around a defense forged in a disciplined 4-Block 4-2, in which forwards are invited to pose a risk of direct attack and make a difference in the final third using their individual qualities.
Given France’s tactical approach, captain Wendie Renard will actually be their key player. Lyon’s defense has 160 international caps and has established itself as a cornerstone of the club’s and country’s defence, mobilizing the defense and making countless interventions and clearances.
In addition to her defensive ability and leadership, the 34-year-old central defender could also have a role to play in France’s goals. Les Bleues are far from the most exciting attacking team in open play, so they will want to make the most of set pieces. Renard’s aerial prowess will prove very useful in such situations, as evidenced by his record of 150 goals for his club.
Wendie Renard produces the definition of the application headers. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Between its prestige as host, Renard’s reputation and the fact that these will be his last games as coach, France deserves to have all the conviction and motivation that it wants to pass. Lately they are higher than ever in the FIFA rankings. before, so it will be attractive to see how Fox leads a team that is favored and not oppressed.
Current FIFA ranking: #22
Olympic history: 2 past appearances; Group Level (2012, 2016)
Main trophies: N/A
Having failed to win in either of their last two Olympic appearances, Colombia will be poised to break the record this time and show themselves as a serious contender on the world stage.
Colombia’s direct attack technique uses the profiles and paint speed of their forwards to clever effect and is very exciting to watch when on the rise. With a forged defensive block to begin with, they have the chance to annoy more powerful opponents.
Colombia were among the favourites to be neutral at the last World Cup thanks to their dynamic attacking play (and sensational away kit). (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Linda Caicedo was the star of Colombia’s World Cup crusade by generating some magical moments, but Mayra Ramírez is hoping to step up her efforts and fulfill her promise at the Olympic Games. Now at Chelsea, she can boast of being one of the most productive forwards in the world. her world, however, her record of just 3 goals in over 30 appearances for her national team is a blot on her record. The 25-year-old striker contributes much more than just goals thanks to her perfect hold-up game and her paintings. she rates, so she will play a vital role on the team anyway.
Colombia aims to make history by reaching the round of 16 at the Olympic Games. Even if they can’t beat the organization’s two favorites, a big enough win against New Zealand could well put them among the more sensible third-placed teams, while 4 issues would almost certainly suffice.
Current FIFA ranking: #8
Olympic history: past appearances; Best result: Gold medalists (2020)
Major trophies: 1 Olympic gold medal (2020), 2 CONCACAF championships (1998, 2010)
Unlike Colombia, Canada finished a very complicated FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, as they were sent off at the end of the organization phase and their goalscoring difficulties proved to be a big problem. The dismissal of Bev Priestman would not have been an unexpected solution in the face of this result, however, the federation made the decision to redouble its efforts and extend his contract.
Despite a complicated World Cup, Bev Priestman supported to continue leading Canada. (Photo. . . [ ] via Alex Grimm – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Although it’s still early, sticking with Priestman seems to have been a smart decision. To his credit, he completely overhauled the team’s tactical setup after the World Cup, taking advantage of the opportunity for a reset provided by Christine Sinclair’s retirement. The Canucks switched to a 3-4-3 formation and pursued a much more fluid offensive approach, running without an identified forward. A record 16 goals in the last CONCACAF Gold Cup was a very smart start.
Of course, the biggest difficulty of a strategy without a striker is finding enough consistent goalscorers in other parts of the team. Canada has enjoyed great fortune so far, thanks in large part to Adriana Leon, who scored five goals in the last Gold Cup for her active team. top scorer and contributed a couple of assists just in case.
In any tournament, the protector champions are expected to fight each other. Canada were not the most sensible contenders for Japan last time and find themselves in a similar position again, but their new technique means they cannot be ruled out either.
Current FIFA ranking: #28
Olympic history: past appearances; Best result: Quarterfinalists (2012)
Major trophies: 1 AFC Championship (five in 197), five OFC Nations Cups (1983, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018)
New Zealand’s Olympic preparations were extraordinarily disrupted when coach Jitka Klimková announced her decision to sit out the tournament “pending an investigation into an employment-related matter” just a month before the start of the tournament. Michael Mayne will take over. position as interim tournament director.
Due to this instability of the coach, it is difficult to perceive too much of New Zealand’s tactics or form. It’s a shame as they had created positive momentum by claiming their first World Cup win on home soil last year, their recent friendlies recommending it. He will continue to use a very similar technique, focused on defense, in a 4-4-2 system.
One of the most unexpected decisions of this tournament was New Zealand removing active top scorer Hannah Wilkinson from their team. In her absence, the goal-scoring burden will fall to her typical attacker wife Jacqui Hand, so he will have a lot on her. plate if the Football Ferns want to get a result in France.
Jacqui Hand, along with Grace Jale, will have to take on a much higher percentage of offensive duty at the Olympics. (Photo via Joe Allison – FIFA/FIFA Getty Images)
Even without their training situation, New Zealand are obviously the fourth most productive team in this organisation when it comes to the quality of the players, so they will have to fight very hard to win even a point. Of course, that’s what they have to do.
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