I didn't see the game but my view is that at this elite level the dominant team is justified in continuing to play at 100% effort, but should should be appropriately mindful of the scoreline/opponents in their general sporting conduct (eg how they celebrate goals once the game is clearly becoming a whitewash).

And at other levels of sport that are not so “elite”?

I guess it’s also a signal to FIFA on how much work remains to be done to improve the women’s game. Thailand are basically Klose’s Saudi Arabia.

flobaba wrote:

And at other levels of sport that are not so “elite”?

Well it probably depends on specific context, but generally I think the same approach would be reasonable on most occassions. Although with stakes being lower, taking the foot off the pedal could arguably be more of a consideration. When I coached juniors a few years back lopsided scorelines were not uncommon (and I'm sure most others who have played, coached or spectated have seen similar) and for me the overall attitude of the team was usually more of a factor than the scoreline. Lopsided games can still be played in the right spirit.

If we're going way down from elite level, my team would never have "stopped", and I don't think they should either. We would probably have played worse because we knew that the three points were in the bag, but not intentionally.

I agree that the celebrations could've gone on to be more like "I scored against my own club" when it was getting ridiculous.

Daz wrote:

flobaba wrote:

And at other levels of sport that are not so “elite”?

Well it probably depends on specific context, but generally I think the same approach would be reasonable on most occassions. Although with stakes being lower, taking the foot off the pedal could arguably be more of a consideration. When I coached juniors a few years back lopsided scorelines were not uncommon (and I'm sure most others who have played, coached or spectated have seen similar) and for me the overall attitude of the team was usually more of a factor than the scoreline. Lopsided games can still be played in the right spirit.

I agree.

Here’s my take- It’s all about sportsmanship and how it is defined in a specific environment. For instance, in some cultures when individuals or teams compete, one taking one’s foot off the pedal can be construed as being extremely disrespectful. I’ve personally witnessed this and seen physical fights break out over a team taking it easy on the “weaker” opponent. I feel you honor the opponent by giving them the very best of your game. Now as a coach I can assess the situation and decide to take off my better players early to preserve them or to give others quality game time, but I would expect the same level of intensity and professional fierceness and drive from the replacements, if not quality.

Also, in the highly unlikely scenario that qualification for the next stage comes down to goal difference, if there’s a poor team or team that’s having a poor day, you want to make sure you have taken full advantage of that.

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

I agree that the celebrations could've gone on to be more like "I scored against my own club" when it was getting ridiculous.

I did not see the celebrations, but unless they were flagrantly and obviously jumping around in the opponents face, I don’t see the need to knock anyone’s expression of joy. This is the World Cup. It is a footballers ultimate dream to play, and score if possible, in one. As long as it’s not deliberately disrespectful I say let them enjoy their moment.

I would have been ashamed of my team if they were celebrating each goal to the extent that these girls did, tbh. The Thai girls were literally crying of shame before the match was over. By all means score as many as you can and celebrate your goals, but I thought the jumping around after each goal was too over the top.

We (Chile) play the americans next, and it will also be a very uneven game. Many of our players are basically amateurs who've endured poverty to accomplish their dream and represent the country at the national level. Effusively celebrating that you are much better prepared than some third-world-country amateurs after you've already put 7 past them seems silly to me.

The Chilean girls will play the Thai afterwards and - if we somehow score lots - I sincerely hope our players will show more empathy than the americans did.

Agreed that the celebrations were over the top, but agree that you should keep trying to score. Just keep it classy so that you can have some semblance of respect for your opponent.

Did you misspell, or do you actually think they shouldn't keep scoring?

Scoring is fine, but the celebrations were stupid and rude, especially the 13th goal one where she mimic some kick in front of the thai bench.

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

Did you misspell, or do you actually think they shouldn't keep scoring?

Major misspelling.

Meant to say that I have no issues with a competitive team continuing to run up the score. Just think it's low to celebrate once you're up by more that 3-4 goals, yet alone 9+ goals.

At least none of them pulled out a black panther or super / wonder woman mask...

People need to get off their high horse. Let the girls have fun. Let them have their moment.

Womens football always has these kinds of matches. International or domestic the difference in quality between the best and the worst is far far bigger than anything comparable in the men's game.

they should have never come if they didn't want to be humiliated. maybe the thai govt will invest more in women's football to avoid future embarrassment. probably be a better investment than the boys, because at least there is a real path for the women to the world cup.

anyway fuck the USA football teams and their pay to play system that basically recruits girls and boys who have parents that can afford it. just like with the men's team, allez les bleu.

They should've never come? :brow: No team wants to be humiliated, so that wouldn't work out.

Anyway, I don't think it'll be easy to have tournaments where results like these don't happen. 8 of 10 people in the Norwegian league make less than £9,1k a year, which means that far fewer than 2 out of 10 can play football without having another job. Norway has a decent team, so I'm guessing the number of female players in the world who can dedicate themselves fully to football is very low, and that a tournament with only decent/good teams would be too small.

The Germans were far more gracious to Brazil when they scored 7 past them in a WC semi-final, even though the Brazilian players were all millionaire pros with the home advantage.

Is it really too much to ask the best-paid, best-prepared team to show some humility when putting 13 goals past a bunch of well-meaning amateurs in a group stage game?