#FIFAWWC Group stages R1

What a week!

So much drama, so many VAR calls and penalties given, so many surprises.

First of all, Norway, what is going on?! One of the teams I expected to make the knockout stages based on the quality of their squad. Congratulations to New Zealand and Wilkinson played the way I expected Hegerberg to play.

Ireland almost spoiled Australia's party, without Sam Kerr you could see the them struggling. McCabe was my player of the game and next time they should put her and Raso in a boxing ring because the battle between those two during the game was a whole game on its own.

Putellas is back and she came as a sub for my favorite Spanish player, the 19 year old Paralluelo. The first time I watched her play for Barca, I knew she was going to be spectacular, watch out for her. Spain will probably make final 4, given the way Norway played.

Japan, USA, Sweden, Germany(Fingers crossed for Popp not getting injured) and Brazil did not disappoint. Do you know who disappointed apart from Norway? France! And I'm not surprised given issues in camp and Delphine Cascarino being injured. But Jamaica played well, Bunny Shaw did so well till the red card(which wasn't deserved but whatever).

England? I reserve my comments for now, well done Haiti.

One observation about the lower ranked teams was that they try to defend then hit on the counter. But it hasn't worked, has it? Japan vs Zambia, USA vs Vietnam, Spain vs Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama. At this point, you may as well attack. Cross the center line and try to shoot please, you have nothing to lose!

Italy, Portugal and Argentina are interesting teams because you expect them to be very good but they're alright. Looking at the quality of players they're getting, I expect that to change in the next 2 to 3 world cups.

Anyway let me not keep you here, I need to get some sleep because this 6 am start is not easy. I leave you with 2 pieces of advice:

1. Try not to concede corners against teams that have players like Alex Popp, Bunny Shaw, Sam Kerr, Blackstenius, Wendy Renard, Asisat. Every corner might end up being a goal.

2. Don’t listen to your juju man, tactics win games as evidenced below.

See you at the end of R2. Or sooner.