France, USA clash: Tempers, temperature will be high in Paris

Harry Awurumibe, Live in France

The second quarter final match between the host nation, France and United States of America (USA) today at Parc des Princes in Paris will see tempers and temperature rising to the highest peak.

First, the weatherman has put the temperature at the stadium at the time of the grudge encounter at 28degrees and it could go higher even at 8pm local time when Referee from Ukraine Madamme Monsul will get the game on the game on the way.

With the expected capacity crowd of fans of both countries, the noise level will also be high and atmosphere fully charged to create its own impetus for the players to go all out for it.

Other factors that will make the match very tense will be the determination of each team to win and go the next stage of the competition which is the most tempting because any team that gets to semi final is assured of playing two more games and winning a medal. Such are the incentives to motivate the teams to fight harder.

France with the support of the home fans will be out to impress and to get a victory over their more illustrious USA who has won the coveted FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy a record three times. This is France’s golden opportunity to get their hands in the trophy themselves.

But the Yankess will not want to hear that they will surrender their title tonight and are primed to unleash mayhem on the French as the experienced Head Coach, Jill Ellis has selected a strong lineup to confront France right in their nation’s capital.

Team USA starters in their usual 4-3-3 formation are goalie-Naeher; defenders-Dunn, Sauerbrunn, Dahlkemper and O’ Hara; midfielders- Ertz, Horan and Lavelle and attackers-Heath, Morgan and captain, Rapinoe.

These are top dogs and experienced players in the women’s football who have seen big battles and will show character in the face of the expected fight back from the host country.

France Head Coach, Corinne Diacre who has not won the FIFA trophy like her USA counterpart will want to use this match today to announce herself in the big stage and she has on her own named a decent line up against USA.

France lineup includes the usual suspects-goalie-Bouhaddi; defenders-Torrent, Mbock, Renard and Majri; midfielders- Bussaglia, Thiney and Captain Henry and attackers- Diani,    Gauvin and Le Sommer. Coach Diacre has chosen to adopt they the 4-2-1-3formation.

Finally, both teams have strong bench to prosecute the tricky match as none wants to go home yet but the inevitable must happen at the end of today as a winner must emerge. And any winner will have England to contend with in the semi final stage. The world is waiting as the Day of Decision is upon us in the Battle of Paris.