WWC Day Eight - DIY football
Nigerian magic, USA-Netherlands boxing match and a special Mary Earps tribute
In this issue:
A tribute to Nigeria
Nobody does it like it Danielle Van de Donk
If you can get one, make one. Football fans make their own Mary Earps shirt
It’s a packed issue today so let me get straight down to business.
Bombshell in Briz
Nigeria sent the Women’s World Cup into a spin with a spectacular 3-2 win over hosts Australia in Brisbane.
The Super Falcon, who hadn’t managed a goal in 6 of their last 7 World Cup games up until today, left Australia absolutely shell shocked with a composed, fearless and nearly faultless performance.
Australia looked nervous and played with a frantic energy all game. Much like in the opener against Ireland, they were given a lot of space to work with as Nigeria were happy not to commit players forward. Australia’s anxiety on the ball only played into Nigeria’s hands. Australia panicked and instead of working out how to create space and find opportunities around a packed Nigerian defence they tired to force things. Van Egmond gave them the lead just before half time but Nigeria shot right back with an equaliser.
The second half went from bad to worse for the hosts as Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria’s star striker who has been battling an injury this World Cup, came on and caused absolute mayhem in the Australian back line. Every ball that was sent up the field wasn’t dealt with, Nigeria got onto the end of every knock down and second ball. Oshoala was breathing down the necks of the Australian defenders, she won the corner that put them 2-1 up and scored a great goal from a tight angle to give them the win. She celebrated in style too, whipping off her shirt in Chloe Kelly style to really bask in the moment. A heroic performance from a Nigerian women’s football legend. Her post match was an all-time classic, definitely check it out.
Whatever happens in the final round of games, and there a few different permutations but effectively Australia have to now beat Canada to make it through and Nigeria could get through with a draw, this game will go down as one of the best of the tournament and maybe one of the all time greats in WWC history.
Your reputation proceeds you
USA-Netherlands in Group E was meant to be the big ticket event today but it got a bit overshadowed by Nigeria’s heroics.
Even so, the 2019 Women’s World Cup Final rematch did not disappoint. It wasn’t a game that had tons of quality on the pitch, it was a bit scrappy, but what it lacked in technicality it delivered in pure messy drama. The highlight was a fight between USA’s Lindsey Horan and her Lyon teammate Danielle Van de Donk from the Netherlands.
Arsenal fans will know Van de Donk has a reputation for being a shithouse on the pitch but she took it to another level when she cleared out Horan with an awful challenge in the 59th minute. Dvd didn’t even get a card for the challenge and it fired up Horan who started a mini scap with DvD at a corner minutes later. The ref made the two apologise to each other before Horan scored the equaliser seconds later.
DvD is the ultimate troll, what didn’t realise is that her trolling would empower one of her rivals. The two were laughing and joking after the game, even more so after DvD had to finish the game in a swim hat after she cut her head.
If you can’t wear ‘em, make ‘em - Meet the Mary Earps Defence League
Thanks to my bro Theo Lloyd-Hughes for bringing this amazing story about the Mary Earps Defence League (M.E.D.L.) from Deptford Ravens Goalie Club, a grassroots community team in south east London that focus on getting more women and non-binary beginners into goalkeeping.
Outraged by Nike and the FA's inaction, they took the Earps merchandise into their own hands.
Here’s an extract from the piece, you can read the full story on his website.
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When the news came out that Nike would not be selling Mary Earps’ England goalkeeper shirt, the Lionesses keeper was suitably disappointed.
Earps described the situation as “hugely hurtful” and was frustrated for all the friends, family and fans that had reached out to her when they discovered they would not be able to buy her shirt.
Even captain Milile Bright’s niece, desperate to get her favourite player’s kit, was left empty-handed.
If you are able to buy a No.1 ‘Pickford’ England men’s goalkeeper kit, then how is it acceptable to not stock the women’s equivalent?
For some, that outrage sparked action. The Mary Earps Defence League is a group of super fans/goalkeepers from south London who wanted to actively protest this inequality and disrespect.
Part solidarity movement, part fashion statement, the trio proudly created their own custom Earps merchandise and showed it off last Saturday at an England watch party in Nunhead that they co-organized.
The official M.E.D.L black long-sleeve shirt was made by Alice, Lucy, and Rachael. It has letters and numbers attached that read 'EARPS 1'. Of course, it goes deeper than just fashioning this shirt.
“We saw an opportunity to represent goalies and we wanted to express our disappointment,” said Alice Devine, a member of the Mary Earps Defence League. “I was personally annoyed on her behalf, and on behalf of all goalies in the women's game, professional to grassroots.”
The M.E.D.L. are a splinter group from The Deptford Ravens Goalie Club, which is a grassroots community to encourage more women and non-binary beginners to get into playing goalkeeper. They hold extra inclusive training sessions, with coach Heather, separate from the rest of the south London club’s activities.
“We play for fun and our whole ethos is to encourage beginners into football - we have 150 members at the Ravens, but not very many goalies!! I noticed a lot of the same things were happening that traditionally happen in men's kickabouts, where no one wants to go in goal,” Devine explained.
“We hope that this idea will catch on and other teams and fans will do the same - we will show Nike, from the grassroots scene, what we want from a merchandiser. What has Nike got against female goalies? That seems to be the central question here,” said Devine.
At this time, neither Nike nor the FA has publicly commented on the Earps shirt fiasco. There are no current plans to produce a shirt in the future. And whatever happens, there is now way it will be ready while the World Cup is still going on.
Last Saturday, the Lionesses might well have drawn against Haiti if it weren’t for the efforts of Earps in the 90th minute. Her stunning save, which prevented Roseline Éloissaint from scoring the equalizer, was arguably England’s highlight of the night.
On the pitch, there are almost no limits to what Earps can achieve in the game. Hopefully, soon, there will be no limits to how you can rep her on the street or at a match either.
But if nothing changes. Just know, the community has got you. And you too Mary.
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Something else to read…..
‘I needed to play for a purpose’: The story behind Ashleigh Plumptre’s Nigeria call-up