Thursday's women's World Cup match between Brazil and Denmark in Hangzhou showed what an important role coaches have in the modern game. Denmark chose to pack the midfield and stifle Brazil, who played with two strikers, one wide on the right and a deep midfield. The Danish game plan was to hope that China would only manage a draw in Tianjin and Denmark would then qualify for the knockout stages on goal difference.

The Brazilian front two looked isolated at times but the midfield looked to break from deep and get into attacking positions. When Brazil did this, Denmark came back in numbers, crowding the penalty area so that it was six or seven against one. Denmark posed little threat in attack although in this tournament there is always a danger from set pieces.

At half-time there was no score with us in Hangzhou and also no score with the Chinese team in Wuhan. This meant that China would go out if the scores stayed the same and there was a worried buzz around the stadium. In the second half the crowd cheered every Brazil attack, and although it was in Chinese I think both teams got the message.

'China scored a second goal in Wuhan and when Brazil scored in injury time this was the signal for the party to begin'

But China did score after 57 minutes and this was relayed by SMS text message at the speed of light to everyone in the stadium. China has become world's biggest mobile phone market and because of the cost structure SMS messages are very popular and cheap. The network stood up well and the mood in the stadium relaxed a little.

Denmark changed their plan and left spaces at the back as they pushed to score a goal. They couldn't handle the sudden switch and attacking moves broke down all too often, allowing Brazil to hit them on the break.

China scored a second goal in Wuhan and when Brazil scored in injury time this was the signal for the party to begin.