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The 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup was the first FIFA Women's World Cup, the world championship for women's national football teams. It took place in Guangdong, China from 16 to 30 November 1991. FIFA, football's international governing body selected China as host nation as Guangdong had hosted a prototype world championship three years earlier, the 1988 FIFA Women's Invitation Tournament. Matches were played in the provincial capital, Guangzhou, as well as in Foshan, Jiangmen and Zhongshan. The competition was sponsored by Mars, Incorporated, maker of M&M's candy. With FIFA still reluctant to bestow their "World Cup" brand, the tournament was officially known as the 1st FIFA World Championship for Women's Football for the M&M's Cup.[1]
| 1st FIFA World Championship for Women's Football for the M&M's Cup | |
|---|---|
 Official logo | |
| Tournament details | |
| Host country | China |
| Dates | 16–30 November |
| Teams | 12 (from 6 confederations) |
| Venue(s) | 6 (in 4 host cities) |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  United States (1st title) |
| Runners-up |  Norway |
| Third place |  Sweden |
| Fourth place |  Germany |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 26 |
| Goals scored | 99 (3.81 per match) |
| Attendance | 510,000 (19,615 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) | Michelle Akers-Stahl (10 goals) |
| Best player(s) | Carin Jennings |
| Fair play award | Germany |
1995 → | |
It was won by the United States,[2] whose captain April Heinrichs formed a forward line dubbed the "Triple-Edged Sword" with Carin Jennings and Michelle Akers-Stahl. Jennings was named player of the tournament while Akers-Stahl's ten goals won the Golden Boot.[3] The United States defeated Norway 2–1 in the final in front of a crowd of 63,000 people at Guangzhou's Tianhe Stadium.[4] Total attendance for the tournament was 510,000, an average per match of 19,615. In the opening match at the same stadium, Norway was defeated 4–0 by hosts China. Chinese defender Ma Li scored the first goal in Women's World Cup history, while goalkeeper Zhong Honglian, also of China, posted the first official "clean sheet" in the tournament.
The 12 qualified teams were divided into three groups of four (A to C). The top two teams and the two best third-place finishers from the three groups advanced to the knockout round of eight teams. For only the first edition of the Women's World Cup, all matches lasted only 80 minutes, instead of the typical 90, and two points were awarded for a win (both of which would change in 1995).[5]
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| Guangzhou | ||
|---|---|---|
| Guangdong Provincial Stadium | Tianhe Stadium | Ying Tung Stadium |
| Capacity: 25,000 | Capacity: 60,000 | Capacity: 15,000 |
 |
 |
|
| Foshan | Jiangmen | Zhongshan |
| New Plaza Stadium | Jiangmen Stadium | Zhongshan Stadium |
| Capacity: 14,000 | Capacity: 13,000 | Capacity: 12,000 |
 | ||
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Qualification
The 1991 Women's World Cup had twelve participating teams compete in the final tournament. Each of the six FIFA confederations had at least one representative.
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For a list of the squads that contended for the final tournament, see 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup squads.
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For the first time in FIFA competition, six female officials were included. All functioned as lineswomen, except for Cláudia Vasconcelos who took charge of the third place play-off; becoming the first woman to referee a match sanctioned by FIFA.[6][7]
| Confederation | Referee | Appointments[8] | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male officials | |||
| AFC | Dai Yuguang (China PR) | 4 matches as linesman | |
| Li Haiseng (China PR) | 2 matches as linesman | ||
| Lu Jun (China PR) | 2 matches as referee, 1 match as linesman | ||
| Shyam Krishna Shrestha (Nepal) | 2 matches as referee, 1 match as linesman | ||
| Xuezhi Wang (China PR) | 3 matches as linesman | ||
| Yu Jingyin (China PR) | 4 matches as linesman | ||
| CAF | Fethi Boucetta (Tunisia) | 2 matches as referee, 2 matches as linesman | |
| Omer Yengo (Congo) | 2 matches as referee, 1 match as linesman | ||
| CONCACAF | Rafael Rodríguez Medina (El Salvador) | 3 matches as referee, 2 matches as linesman | |
| CONMEBOL | Salvador Imperatore (Chile) | 3 matches as referee | |
| John Toro Rendón (Colombia) | 3 matches as referee, 1 match as linesman | ||
| UEFA | Jim McCluskey (Scotland) | 3 matches as referee, 2 matches as linesman | |
| Vassilios Nikakis (Greece) | 2 matches as referee, 1 match as linesman | ||
| Vadim Zhuk (Soviet Union) | 3 matches as referee, 1 match as linesman | ||
| Female officials | |||
| AFC | Zuo Xiudi (China PR) | 5 matches as lineswoman | |
| CONCACAF | María Herrera García (Mexico) | 3 matches as lineswoman | |
| CONMEBOL | Cláudia Vasconcelos (Brazil) | 1 match as referee, 3 matches as lineswoman | |
| OFC | Linda May Black (New Zealand) | 5 matches as lineswoman | |
| UEFA | Gertrud Regus (Germany) | 6 matches as lineswoman | |
| Ingrid Jonsson (Sweden) | 5 matches as lineswoman | ||
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FIFA's technical report demonstrates that, after the tournament, players and officials were undecided whether to persist with 80-minute matches, or to change to 90 minutes in line with men's football. Opinion was also divided about the suitability of using a size five football. Some teams reported difficulty in sourcing good quality equipment in the correct size.[9]
The tournament was considered a major success in the quality of play and attendances at the games. FIFA president João Havelange wrote that:[10]
"As president of FIFA it was a special pleasure for me to watch these young ladies playing with such flair and such elegance, and according to the reports of the many media representatives present, making the game truly into a celebration ... women's football is now well and truly established."
The perceived success of the tournament was a significant factor in the subsequent inclusion of women's football in the 1996 Summer Olympics.[11] Sue Lopez reported that although attendances were very high, many tickets were complimentary. The "novelty factor" of women from foreign lands playing football also encouraged local people to attend.[12]
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The draw for the group stage was held on 14 September 1991 at the Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, China. The draw was part of a televised two-hour live show, featuring songs in both Chinese and English from the female singers Zhang Qiang (Beijing), Lin Ping (Guangzhou), Jenny Tseng (Hong Kong) and Irene Yeh (Taiwan).[13]
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| Tie-breaking criteria for group play |
|---|
The ranking of teams in the group stage was determined as follows:[14]
|
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  China (H) |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 5 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Norway |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 4 | |
| 3 |  Denmark |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 3 | |
| 4 |  New Zealand |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 11 | −10 | 0 |
| China | 4–0 | Norway |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| China | 4–1 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | +9 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Sweden |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 3 | +9 | 4 | |
| 3 |  Brazil |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | −6 | 2 | |
| 4 |  Japan |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | −12 | 0 |
Source: FIFA
| Sweden | 2–3 | United States |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Brazil | 0–5 | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
| Japan | 0–3 | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 |  Italy |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 4 | |
| 3 |  Chinese Taipei |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | −6 | 2 | |
| 4 |  Nigeria |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | −7 | 0 |
| Chinese Taipei | 0–5 | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
Ranking of third-placed teams
| Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Denmark |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 3 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | C | Chinese Taipei |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | −6 | 2 | |
| 3 | B | Brazil |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | −6 | 2 |
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
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Bracket
| Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 24 November – Guangzhou (Tianhe) | ||||||||||
| China | 0 | |||||||||
| 27 November – Guangzhou (Ying Tung) | ||||||||||
| Sweden | 1 | |||||||||
| Sweden | 1 | |||||||||
| 24 November – Jiangmen | ||||||||||
| Norway | 4 | |||||||||
| Norway (a.e.t.) | 3 | |||||||||
| 30 November – Guangzhou (Tianhe) | ||||||||||
| Italy | 2 | |||||||||
| Norway | 1 | |||||||||
| 24 November – Zhongshan | ||||||||||
| United States | 2 | |||||||||
| Denmark | 1 | |||||||||
| 27 November – Guangzhou (Provincial) | ||||||||||
| Germany (a.e.t.) | 2 | |||||||||
| Germany | 2 | |||||||||
| 24 November – Foshan | ||||||||||
| United States | 5 | Third place play-off | ||||||||
| United States | 7 | |||||||||
| 29 November – Guangzhou (Provincial) | ||||||||||
| Chinese Taipei | 0 | |||||||||
| Sweden | 4 | |||||||||
| Germany | 0 | |||||||||
Quarter-finals
| United States | 7–0 | Chinese Taipei |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Semi-finals
Third place play-off
Final
| Norway | 1–2 | United States |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament:[15]
| Golden Ball | Silver Ball | Bronze Ball |
|---|---|---|
| Carin Jennings |
Michelle Akers-Stahl |
Linda Medalen |
| Golden Shoe | Silver Shoe | Bronze Shoe |
| Michelle Akers-Stahl |
Heidi Mohr |
Linda Medalen Carin Jennings |
| 10 goals | 7 goals | 6 goals |
| FIFA Fair Play Award | ||
| Germany | ||
Goalscorers
There were 99 goals scored in 26 matches, for an average of 3.81 goals per match. Michelle Akers-Stahl of the United States won the Golden Boot award for scoring ten goals.
10 goals
7 goals
6 goals
5 goals
4 goals
3 goals
2 goals
1 goal
Elane
Ma Li- Sun Qingmei
- Sun Wen
- Wei Haiying
- Wu Weiying
- Zhou Yang
Chou Tai-ying- Lin Mei-chun
Lisbet Kolding- Hanne Nissen
- Annette Thychosen
Gudrun Gottschlich- Silvia Neid
- Britta Unsleber
Feriana Ferraguzzi- Rita Guarino
- Adele Marsiletti
- Raffaella Salmaso
Kim Nye
Birthe Hegstad- Hege Riise
Susanne Hedberg- Ingrid Johansson
- Malin Lundgren
Joy Biefeld- Julie Foudy
- Wendy Gebauer
1 own goal
Sayuri Yamaguchi (against Sweden)- Terry McCahill (against Norway)
Assists
4 assists
3 assists
2 assists
1 assist
- Cenira
- Shieh Su-jean
- Annie Gam-Pedersen
- Hanne Nissen
- Irene Stelling
- Birgitt Austermühl
- Gudrun Gottschlich
- Beate Wendt
- Bettina Wiegmann
- Anna Mega
- Monique van de Elzen
- Agnete Carlsen
- Margunn Humlestøl
- Hege Riise
- Heidi Støre
- Cathrine Zaborowski
- Anneli Andelén
- Anette Hansson
- Ingrid Johansson
- Michelle Akers-Stahl
- Joy Biefeld
- Linda Hamilton
Source: FIFA Technical Report[16]
Tournament ranking
Per statistical convention in football, matches decided in extra time are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by penalty shoot-outs are counted as draws.
| Pos | Grp | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Final result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | United States |
6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 5 | +20 | 12 | Champions |
| 2 | A | Norway |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 10 | +4 | 8 | Runners-up |
| 3 | B | Sweden |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 7 | +11 | 8 | Third place |
| 4 | C | Germany |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 10 | +3 | 8 | Fourth place |
| 5 | A | China (H) |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 5 | Eliminated in quarter-finals |
| 6 | C | Italy |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 4 | |
| 7 | A | Denmark |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 3 | |
| 8 | C | Chinese Taipei |
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 15 | −13 | 2 | |
| 9 | B | Brazil |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | −6 | 2 | Eliminated in group stage |
| 10 | C | Nigeria |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | −7 | 0 | |
| 11 | A | New Zealand |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 11 | −10 | 0 | |
| 12 | B | Japan |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | −12 | 0 |
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