[ad_1]
June 16, 2021; Austin, Texas, USA; U.S. captain striker Carli Lloyd (10) heads the ball toward Nigeria during a U.S. women’s national team summer series international friendly match at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory credit: Erich Schlegel – USA TODAY Sports
June 23 (Reuters) – Five football players to watch at the Tokyo Olympics:
CARLI LLOYD (UNITED STATES)
One of the women’s greatest players of all time, Lloyd is 39 when the tournament kicks off, and the late recovery in career form has allowed her to win her third gold medal after success in 2008 and 2012.
The striker scored one of the most memorable goals in women’s football history with a spectacular effort in the middle as part of a hat trick to win the 2015 World Cup final in Japan in the early 16 minutes.
Lloyd spent most of the successful 2019 World Cup campaign on the bench, but he has returned from 10 months of layoffs after knee surgery and is looking for readiness for Tokyo.
MOHAMED SALAH (EGYPT)
Not surprisingly, Egypt desperately wants to include the finest player from the Arab world as one of three players over the age of his team in Tokyo.
With Champions League and Premier League winner Liverpool, the 29-year-old’s participation has not yet been confirmed and discussions are ongoing with his club.
If he gets a clear one, Group C opponents Spain, Argentina and Australia will have to fight with clever touch, smart movement and above all an eye for the finish.
MANA IWABUCHI (JAPAN)
The 28-year-old former Bayern Munich striker, who won the 2011 World Cup with Japan, recently joined Arsenal, but will first focus on his role in Nadeshiko.
Iwabuchi have scored 34 goals in 76 appearances in Japan, and if the host province wants to achieve medal information, they need an experienced striker to be in the best form.
LUKAS NMECHA (GERMANY)
The 22-year-old striker won the golden boot and made the winner in the finals of this year’s UEFA Under-21 tournament and is key to the Germans ’aspirations in the games.
The Hamburg-born striker grew up in England and has been part of the Manchester City academy system, but spent last season on loan at the Belgian club Anderlecht.
Nmecha, who can act centrally or extensively, represented England at the age group level until moving to Germany in March 2019. He made his debut against England.
GERSON (Brazil)
When Flamengo won the 2019 Copa Libertadores and backwards in the Brazilian championships in 2019 and 2020, the fast-thinking Gerson was the heart of a midfield full of characters.
The quiet 24-year-old was perhaps an underrated player at the Rio de Janeiro club, but his contribution was crucial in helping them after their greatest spell when Zico and Junior dominated the taste.
Gerson, who had no connection to the 1970 World Cup legend, had returned to Flamengo after a disappointing spell in Italy with Roma and Fiorentina. He quickly found his feet and his impressive performances over two very successful years gave him another chance to prove himself in Europe. He left Flamengo in June to sign the French Olympique Marseille club.
Simon Evans Reporting, Andrew Downie Additional Reporting; Editor Peter Rutherford
Our standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
[ad_2]
picture credit