Speaking from firsthand experience, I know how hard it can be on your body to wake up in the middle of the night to watch Olympic soccer played in Japan. I thought it was fun in 2002 for the World Cup, but my body rebelled hard after the first day of play on Wednesday. 

And yet, I can’t wait to wake up early for the next Group F match, because those games have been stupidly entertaining at the 2020 Olympics.

A menos que haya una suspensión de última hora, debido a los problemas derivados de la Covid-19, los Juegos Olímpicos de Tokio comienzan a vivirse este martes 20 de julio con la fase de grupos del softball, deporte que debuta en la cita de los anillos.

Luego viene el fútbol. ¡Siuuuu!

Como las Olimpíadas son en Japón, el gran debate en tu cabeza será ver los partidos en vivo o respetar los ciclos de tus sueño y ponerte al día más tarde con una repetición o un video con highlights.

LUSAKA — After clinching the top scorer award in the Women's Chinese Super League, Zambian footballer Barbra Banda is inspiring girls at home to follow in her footsteps.

The 20-year-old won the Golden Boot of China's top flight after scoring 18 goals in 13 games.

The powerful forward, playing her debut season in China, finished the campaign nine goals ahead of her nearest challenger Temwa Chawinga of Wuhan Jianghan. Having helped her side seal third place in the standings, Banda has been the talk of the league.

The China women’s national football team is currently sitting in a hotel in Brisbane, Australia, under quarantine as precautions concerning the coronavirus outbreak continue. As of Monday, there are 12 confirmed cases in Australia.

The national team, consisting of 32 members, will be quarantined until Wednesday, Feb. 5. The team is scheduled to play three Olympic qualifying matches against Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Australia in Sydney this week and next week. 

Germany has had its fair share of legendary players. The two-time Women’s World Cup champion has produced some of the tournament’s greatest all-time players, from Heidi Mohr to Birgit Prinz. Giulia Gwinn might be the next in that list after her rocket goal gave Germany a 1-0 win over China on Saturday.

It wasn’t the style that the USWNT will be looking to impose on nations exactly one year from now in France (qualifying willing), but a set piece delivered by Megan Rapinoe and finished by Alex Morgan, who now has five goals in her last three international appearances, was enough to see the U.S. over China in Sandy, Utah on Thursday night.

A strong crowd at Rio Tinto Stadium also got to see the return of Amy Rodriguez and watch Crystal Dunn play in pretty much every position on the field.