Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful analysis.
From an execution standpoint, one thing I say repeatedly in the first three games (I didn’t watch this mornings match) were headers from midfield in space. Plenty of room to settle and possess. Why give up a possession and cause a 50/50 ball. Very annoying. Also the forward who was fast as greased lightning took multiple shots is space where the angle was not in her favor. In space so plenty of took to touch inside and open up the goal. Don’t get it.
I agree. I don’t like the way Vladko built this team and I don’t like the style he had them playing in the first three games. Much too direct and always trying to force too much too fast, flicking the ball forward into contested space with headers, trying to force through balls, long balls into open space hoping to win the footrace, etc. They were much more settled against Sweden and should have won. They dominated play and generated relentless pressure in the second half. Sweden was hanging on by their fingernails. The Swedish goalie had an incredible game and kept Sweden alive.