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Hard to believe the women's world cup is almost over. Semi-finals tomorrow with France vs America and Japan vs Sweden. Who would have thought Germany would go out and out to Japan at that? The France-England game was heart-breaking. Penalties are a horrible way to decide a game.

Have to say I was more than a bit surprised at England coach Hope Powell's comments after the penalty shoot-out. The Guardian reports she said: "Three times I had to ask [for volunteers] before anyone stepped forward. "'Where are you?' I was thinking, and then a young kid is the first to put her hand up. And Kelly Smith was dying on her feet but she stepped up and took one. You've got to want to take a penalty, but other players should have come forward and they didn't. That's weak, it's cowardice."


Powell looking for volunteers

Fair enough to think it, say it to the players but say it out to the media? Why? It's causing a twitter-storm among the players and hardly seems the best way to recover from a loss. Powell always struck me as ambitious and focused in her approach to the team. But why slate them in public like that? No matter how disappointed or frustrated you are, there is surely a better way to deal with the problem. And, of course, the other question is why the players were so slow to step up? I posted a few months back here on the differences between male and female approaches to competitiveness - if there is a difference. This makes me wonder again. I mean, can you imagine any of the prima donnas on the male England team not wanting to take a penalty?

What do you think, should Powell have spoken out? Have you seen teams holding back like this before?

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