Women's World Cup Bracket 2011: Quarterfinals Preview

We've finished the group stages of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, and despite a couple surprises, they ended like many thought they would.

Well, most of them did. 

Germany started slow but finished strong and ended up winning Group A like everyone knew they would. Their defense was not at all solid though.

France were the surprise second-placed team out of Group A as Canada were sent home with zero points and minus-six goal difference. 

England defeated Japan on Tuesday to win Group B, the Group of Hope, and both teams will now be in the quarters for just the second time.

Brazil also started slow, but they picked it up quickly and won Group D without any problems. Australia survived some controversy against Equatorial Guinea and surprised Norway to take the runner-up spot in the group.

The real surprise came when Sweden upset the US in their final group game Wednesday 2-1.

Sweden win the group for the first time and will take on Australia, while the US will now face Brazil in a mammoth quarterfinal clash.

Before the action gets underway this weekend, let's take a look at each quarterfinal match. 

Germany vs. Japan

Germany won their group as expected, but their performances left plenty to be desired.

Germany was scored on three times, all from set pieces, in three games and only managed one goal against Nigeria.

There is also the problem of captain Birgit Prinz, who has failed to impress on the field, but her experience from five World Cups could be missed in the knockout rounds if she's on the bench.

Japan do not match up well with Germany, but they will be looking to set pieces to make the difference.

France scored twice from corner kicks on Tuesday, but Japan lack the height to threaten Germany from the air.

However, Canada's Christine Sinclair scored her nation's lone goal of the tournament directly from a free kick, which is what Japan will play for.

Japan's Aya Miyama scored directly from a perfectly taken free kick to seal the winner in their first match against New Zealand, and they'll be looking for those opportunities against Germany.  

Germany's defense has not been tested much in the run of play because their midfield has taken care of the ball, but the forwards have not be lethal enough in front of goal.

They did not take their chances against Canada or Nigeria, and a smart team like Japan could punish them for that and even send the game into extra time and penalties.

However, there is no reason to not favor Germany in this match. They are superior in every facet, and if they simply clog the midfield and use their aerial advantage as England did, they should be fine.   

The first quarterfinal match between Germany (No. 2) and Japan (No. 4) will take place Saturday, July 9.

England vs. France

England improved with each game they played in the group stages and were rewarded by winning Group B with a 2-0 victory over Japan Tuesday. 

The Three Lionesses have made it to the quarterfinals largely without much influence from their No. 10, Kelly Smith. 

France, meanwhile, had a very impressive 4-0 victory over Canada to seal their spot in the quarterfinals, but their 4-2 loss to Germany was a flattering scoreline in their respect. 

They had every chance to win the group and top a German team that has given them so much grief over the years, but they squandered it by conceding possession and allowing the German players too much time and space on the ball. 

This should be an exciting match. France is making its first appearance in the quarterfinals, while England is making its second, and composure will be key. 

Jill Scott has been England's best player so far, as she inspired the 2-1, comeback victory over New Zealand and was also an important figure in the air and the midfield against Japan. Her presence in the midfield will again be crucial.

France had it working all over the pitch against Canada, but against Nigeria and Germany, they were not in sync.

France will be missing their goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz after she received a straight red card against Germany, and that is a weakness they will need to protect.

She hasn't looked solid in goal so far this World Cup, and her replacement Celine Deville also does not have much experience.

England may or may not have captain Faye White in defense, so both teams have concerns at the back, and it will come down to who handles them better. 

England is more solid across the pitch and has been in the knockout rounds of tournaments more often than France. 

If any quarterfinal match has the chance to go into extra time or penalties, this is it, though I expect England to emerge victorious.

The second quarterfinal match between England (No. 10) and France (No. 7) will take place Saturday, July 9. 

Sweden vs. Australia

Sweden pulled off the shock result so far this tournament and won Group C with a 2-1 victory over the US Wednesday. 

They'll take on Australia in the quarterfinals and will fancy their chances to make the semifinals.

They won all of their group games, only allowing one goal in the process.

Their goal scoring prowess was not at its best, but they made chances count when they needed to.

At the other end, Sweden's goalkeeper Hedvig Lindhal did not catch many balls against the US and was lucky they bounced right in front of her.

Australia, meanwhile, survived some shaky goalkeeping and managed to surprise Norway in their final group match.

Australia held Brazil scoreless for 54 minutes in their opening match and only conceded once to them. In their next two matches, they came out firing and responded to conceding very well.

Australia is the only team ranked outside the top 10 in the quarterfinals, and it's just their second trip past the group stages.

Sweden only failed to make it past the group stages once, in 2007, and were the runners-up in 2003.

This could be the most high-flying game of the quarterfinals as both teams have pace and question marks in goal.

The third quarterfinal match between Sweden (No. 5) and Australia (No. 11) will take place on Sunday, July 10.  

Brazil vs. USA

This is not the matchup either team wanted, but Brazil may be even more upset by this than the US. 

Brazil does not play friendly matches, so the group stages are their warmups, and they used them accordingly. They were cagey against Australia, but they broke it open with three goals against Norway and Equatorial Guinea each. 

Marta and her team have looked good, but they haven't looked great, and they won't be happy about facing the US.

Brazil beat the US in the semis in 2007, but that was amidst Hope Solo being benched for Brianna Scurry. In the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, the US beat Brazil in the final match.

Overall, the US has drawn twice and lost just twice to Brazil and have won 26 times. 

The US lost a group game for the first time Wednesday with a 2-1 loss to Sweden, and it was not a great match.

The defense showed a real lack of pace, which won't be good against Brazil, but the attack was more worrying.

The US was never really in sync and simply kept shooting from long range. They were unlucky to see one go just over the bar and another hit the bar, but it is not the kind of play the US will want against Brazil.

They came off looking very upset, but they know what to improve on, and veterans like Christie Rampone and Abby Wambach will need to inspire the youngsters. 

Brazil have been impressive, but they have yet to face a real challenge. The fact that they never conceded was more the the fact that their opponents let them have possession.

Both Brazil and the US are favorites to win the World Cup, and meeting one of your biggest challengers this early is anything but ideal. Germany is obviously giddy.

But on the other hand, if you take out your biggest opponent early on, it leaves the rest of the road relatively clear.

Brazil has the best player in the world, but the US has a deep team of great players and a fantastic keeper who will have a big point to prove.

This will be the quarterfinal game to watch.

The final quarterfinal match between Brazil (No. 3) and the US (No. 1) will take place Sunday, July 10th.