2012 U19WC Day 2 Wrap Up
| Current Standings | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Team | W | L | PF | PA |
| 1 | (1) United States | 1 | 0 | 27 | 6 |
| 1 | (2) Canada | 1 | 0 | 43 | 0 |
| 1 | (3) Japan | 1 | 0 | 27 | 6 |
| 1 | (5) Austria | 1 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| 5 | (6) France | 1 | 1 | 47 | 27 |
| 5 | (8) American Samoa | 1 | 1 | 57 | 27 |
| 7 | (4) Panama | 0 | 2 | 0 | 94 |
| 7 | (7) Sweden | 0 | 2 | 0 | 84 |
Two shutouts marked today, with France defeating Sweden, 41-0, and American Samoa topping Panama, 51-0.
France surprised me with a dominating rushing attack today, but still can’t throw the ball. Sweden never got anything going offensively, mostly because of turnovers. American Samoa ran the ball extremely well, breaking the previous tournament record set by the USA in 2009. Panama… had it tought.
I want to clear a few things up that some people have been talking about. First, some have been wondering by Panama is the #4 seed. Originally. Mexico was set to be in the tournament, but they declined the invitation. Panama replaced them, but got to keep their seed.
Second, American Samoa is the #8 seed because (this isn’t an official answer, this is just my guess) 1) the Australia qualifying game was their first game, and 2) any OFAF team would get the #8 seed. Should they make the tournament in two years, rest assured they will not be the bottom seed.
Now, on to my predictions!
Friday, July 6:
Sweden vs. Panama. I think Sweden will win this game without much trouble, but I don’t think it will be a blowout. Both teams have struggled moving the football, so there probably won’t be much scoring. I do think Panama will get into the endzone. If Sweden turns it over a lot, Panama will have a chance. Sweden, 23; Panama, 13.
American Samoa vs. France. This is the game we find out who American Samoa really is. They played well but lost convincingly against arguably the best team in the tournament, and they thoroughly dominated arguably the worst team in the tournament. France is the perfect middle-of-the-road team for them to go up against. France can run the ball well, but has no passing game at all. I think this will be a great game, but American Samoa’s bruising defense will contain France and grab 5th place. American Samoa, 30; France, 17.
Tomorrow should be fun!
PS: To any new people checking out this blog, don’t forget to follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/IFAF_Rankings
IFAF Rankings 
Hi, I just discovered this blog. Thanks for what you’re doing. There aren’t many ways to follow IFAF.
You’re welcome! That’s why I started it — I wanted to provide some insight that just isn’t out there. Hopefully, as American football continues to grow in popularity around the world, it will eventually get to the point that IFAF gets more coverage.
Seconded, you’re doing a great job.
Any idea why Mexico declined the invitation?
No idea.
For the last Junior WC, Panama and Mexico played a qualifying match. I can’t find anything that says they did this time, so it may just be they weren’t able to field a team this year.
I heard that it was for financial reasons, but I can’t seem to find anything to confirm it.