USA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: AMERICAN TEAM PRACTISE FOR QUARTER FINALS OF WOMEN'S WORLD CUP SOCCER TOURNAMENT AS ORGANISERS MAKE MORE TICKETS AVAILABLE

Record ID: 166424

  • Title: USA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: AMERICAN TEAM PRACTISE FOR QUARTER FINALS OF WOMEN'S WORLD CUP SOCCER TOURNAMENT AS ORGANISERS MAKE MORE TICKETS AVAILABLE
  • Date: 29th June 1999
  • Summary: Duration00:02:30 CopyrightREUTERS Clip RestrictionsNONE RALJON, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES (JUNE 30,1999) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF JACK KENT COOKE STADIUM. AMERICAN STAR MIA HAMM ON PRACTICE FIELD SHOT OF TELEVISION NEWS CAMERAS US TEAM PRACTICING. (SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLD CUP OFFICIAL RICHARD FINN SAYING: "Here at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium we have sold out the original 41,000 seats that were here, that's the yellow section and the red section, the first two bowls. Yesterday to meet this demand, this outpouring of demand here in the Washington area we put an extra 14,000 tickets on sale." MIA HAMM ON PRACTICE FIELD. (SOUNDBITE) (English) HAMM SAYING: "One of the things we talked about as a team is to basically enjoy every minute of it and not take anything for granted. The first game was so special and from then on it just seems to get better." MIDFIELDER JULIE FOUDY ON PRACTICE FIELD. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FOUDY SAYING: "This is what you play that first round for is this first game. Everything comes down to tomorrow. All the little details have to be focused onto tomorrow. Germany's done all the big things as well. Its a great feeling and I love the pressure when everything's on the line. You win or you go home." TEAM MEETING ON THE FIELD (SOUNDBITE) (English) MIDFIELDER TISHA VENTURINI SAYING: "This is unbelievable. Everywhere we go people are screaming and hollering and waving and crying and little kids come out to the practice and to the hotel. Its a dream come true." FOUDY AND HAMM COMBINE FOR AN ATTACK DURING PRACTICE. Details The tremendous popularity of the Women's World Cup soccer tournament has caught organizers, sports marketing professionals and players by surprise.As the U.S.team practiced on Wednesday (June 30) for their quarterfinal against Germany in Washington, D.C., officials were scrambling to provide additional seats to satisfy the demand for tickets to the game. The 16-nation, 32-game tournament has exceeded expectations, according to organisers who said more than 570,000 tickets have been sold and matches not involving the host nation have been averaging crowds of 21,000.In Washington, organisers were hastily adding 14,000 seats to the original, scaled-back seating plan at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in suburban Landover. "Here at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium we have sold out the original 41,000 seats that were here, that's the yellow section and the red section, the first two bowls.Yesterday to meet this demand, this outpouring of demand here in the Washington area we put an extra 14,000 tickets on sale," said Richard Finn, an official with the Women's World Cup Organising Committee. "One of the things we talked about as a team is to basically enjoy every minute of it and not take anything for granted.The first game was so special and from then on it just seems to get better." said U.S.star forward Mia Hamm who has been featured in Nike ads alongside Michael Jordan. The majority of the play has been entertaining and attack-oriented.The first round yielded an average of more than four goals per game.The proceedings have been closely followed by the American media and viewed by a burgeoning television audience.Pressure to win is clearly on the U.S., but the consequences of a quarterfinal loss carry more weight for the Germans. The World Cup is the sole qualification process for the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games as the top seven finishers at USA '99 qualify for the eight-nation field along with hosts Australia.Germany, with only five points in the first round, must beat the U.S.or it does not qualify for the Olympics. Despite losing midfield leader Martina Voss to a hamstring injury, the Germans field a disciplined and dangerous attack with Bettina Wiegmann (2 goals) directing traffic in midfield and Inka Grings (3 goals) and Brigit Prinz up front.Steffi Jones and Doris Fitschen working in tandem, spur counterattacks out of defence.Midfielder Julie Foudy said, "This is what you play that first round for is this first game.Everything comes down to tomorrow.All the little details have to be focused onto tomorrow.Germany's done all the big things as well.Its a great feeling and I love the pressure when everything's on the line.You win or you go home." The Americans bring a balanced attack with Mia Hamm, Tiffeny Milbrett and Kristine Lilly each having scored twice. The U.S.midfield, boosted by Foudy and Brandi Chastain, has linked well with a defence that has conceded only one goal. Expect Shannon MacMillan to play a role off the bench as a withdrawn striker.In 12 meetings, the U.S.has won eight, drawn one and lost three times to Germany.The final game will be played at the Rosebowl in Los Angeles on July 10th.
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