The Matildas have been overlooked by the Fifa technical study group for any of its top individual honours, missing out in three separate Women’s World Cup best player shortlists.
Germany’s Celia Sasic, who missed a penalty in their semi-final loss to the United States, and goalkeeper Nadine Angerer were among the finalists for the Women’s World Cup awards announced on Thursday.
Sasic, the tournament’s leading scorer who dragged a spot kick wide in the 2-0 defeat by the U.S. in Montreal, is up for Golden Ball honours as the top player.
She is on a shortlist of eight players alongside Japan’s Saori Ariyoshi and Aya Miyama, England’s Lucy Bronze, France’s Amandine Henry and Americans Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd and Julie Johnson for the tournament’s best player award.
Angerer, FIFA’s women’s player of the year in 2013, has been nominated for Golden Glove honours as top goalkeeper along with Japan’s Ayumi Kaihori and American Hope Solo, whose five consecutive clean sheets have helped the U.S. reach the final.
Canada’s Kadeisha Buchanan, Norway’s Ada Hegerberg and China’s Tang Jiali have been nominated for the young player award which goes to the best player born after 1 July 1995.
The winners will be announced following Sunday’s World Cup final in Vancouver where the U.S. and defending champions Japan will clash for the title for the second straight time.
The all-star team of the tournament is yet to be named, with the 2011 World Cup young player award winner, Caitlin Foord, as well as former all-star listed players Elise Kellond-Knight and captain Lisa De Vanna strong candidates.
