Worcester World Cup 2011 Recap

Ghana vs. Albania 

Last weekend's Worcester World Cup games were great; played by women and men that love the game, and put on a show for the community to witness.

While I wish more folks were in the stands, cheering on the players and teams, the fans that were there with their vuvuzelas, drums and flags made it a great warm-up for me for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, taking place in Brazil.

Women's Division
In the women's division the teams that made it to the semifinals were:

• Portugal vs. Ecuador
• USA vs. Columbia

I missed the game between Portugal and Ecuador, but I was told that Portugal put up a great fight, but Ecuador was too much for them and Ecuador won by a score of 2-1.

 USA vs. Columbia

In the match between USA and Columbia, the Columbian squad was very disciplined with the ball, and had some very good set plays that turned into goals.  The final score was 3-0 in favor of Columbia.

Team USA player attempting to stop Columbia attacking offense.

Team USA starting to advance the ball.

Women's Final- Columbia vs. Ecuador

Columbia vs. Ecuador: Ball possession

In the women's final between Columbia vs. Ecuador, it was very obvious from the opening whistle that both teams were fatigued, but the Columbian team seemed to find a boost of energy.

Columbia vs. Ecuador: Columbia on the attack

With midfielders that were "greedy geniuses" with the ball, the Columbian team moved the ball effortlessly down the field, and made runs that resulted in a few good shots on goal.  Columbia led
2-0 at the half.

In the second half, Columbia, again, put together some good runs, and scored 3 more times.

Columbia vs. Ecuador: Columbia controlling the ball on the attack

The final score was 5-0, and Columbia was crowned the Women's 2011 Worcester World Cup Champions.

Ecuador congratulating Columbia on their 2011 Worcester World Cup win.

ACE vs. CETS (Youth Game)

Men's Division

Albania vs. El Salvador: Intense action

For the men's quarter-finals, there were a number of great match-ups, such as:

• Brazil vs. USA
• Iran vs. Kosovo
• Nigeria vs. Albania
• El Salvador vs. Togo

Brazil defeated USA. (I didn't see this match.)

In the match between Iran vs. Kosovo, I was told that it got ugly when a number of players had to be separated and players had to be ejected. (I didn't see this game, but if there was a low point for this year's games, it was what transpired during this match.)

For the match between Nigeria and Albania, it was a match of the disciplined versus the undisciplined.

Albania played under control, was very purposeful with the ball, and had a handful of set plays that allowed them to get some very good shots on goal.

The Nigerian team featured a number of athletic and talented players, but they never seemed to be able to put a together a play or get the ball to the open player at an opportune time.

Albania went on to win 2-0.

In the match between El Salvador vs. Togo, El Salvador too played with discipline and wound up winning the game by a final score of 1-0.


Men's Semi-Finals


Albania vs. El Salvador: Final score 2-0 Albania

Brazil vs. Iran: Final score 2-0 Brazil

Brazil vs. Iran: Brazil advancing the ball

Men's Final

Albania vs. Brazil: Men's Final

In the men's final game, which paired Albania versus Brazil, there was an influx of people in the stands.

I soon looked around the stands, and they were abuzz to watch David battle Goliath.

In this story of David versus Goliath, David, being played in this match by Albania, was no match for the behemoth Goliath, played by the ever-present and looming Brazilian team.

Brazil scored first, and even though it was only one goal, it seemed to take the wind out of team Albania's sail and made their feet that much heavier; the fatigue-factor became more evident.

Brazil controlled the game from whistle to whistle, and when it was all said and done, the Brazilian team had trounced Albania 3-0 to win the 2011 Worcester World Cup trophy.

Brazil celebrating their 2011 Worcester World Cup victory!

Laces tied tightly
The women and men that organize the Worcester World Cup are an amazing group of people!  What started as seed has grown and blossomed into an amazing weekend-long event that features the diversity that exists in Worcester.

A Texas-sized hat tip to you and all of the volunteers that created such a great event and I look forward to next year's Worcester World Cup 2012.