Two amazing goals from striker Marta gifted Athens Olympic
runners-up Brazil an incredible 4-0 whitewash over two-time
champions United States on Thursday and a final berth in the 2007
FIFA Women's World Cup.
"Any game against US was tough, so it was a fantastic win and we
make history," Marta said after the match.
It was the first time for Brazil, who had not won any FIFA
Women's World Cup or Olympic soccer tournament title, to advance to
a World Cup final in which they would take on defending champions
Germany in Shanghai on September 30.
Brazil also ended the United States' 51-game unbeaten run.
"The whole team was full of passion. So it was a victory of the
team, not myself," said Marta.
She also expressed gratitude to her partner up front Cristiane
and midfielder Daniela who, according to her, gave her full support
on the pitch.
Brazil coach Jorge Barcellos said, "We have many talented
players and I said before that everything is possible on the
pitch."
"It is a fantastic win. We are determined to going into the
final and we did it. I hope we can perform well in the final.
Answering a question, Barcellos said, "For me, there is nothing
different between a 1-0 and 4-0. The most important thing is a
win."
The 4-0 humiliation was the biggest-ever loss for the United
States, the women's soccer giant who boast two World Cup champions
(1991, 1999) and two Olympic gold medals (1996, 2000).
"You can not draw any conclusion from this game. Shannon Boxx
got so early sent off in the first half, which completely changed
the game," US coach Greg Ryan said.
"I got two players to mark Marta. But she was fantastic," Ryan
added.
Replying to a question about the goalkeeper, Ryan said "I don't
have any regrets to field her. She did everything she could to
save."
A stunning own goal by US midfielder Leslie Osborne on a
Brazil's corner kick lifted Brazil to 1-0 lead in the 20th
minute.
Seven minutes later, Marta, FIFA best women player of 2006,
broke the US defense from the right wing and sent home a flash low
shot.
Marta, a quick-pace dribbling master, also sealed the 4-0 win in
the 79th minute when she thrust into the box from the left wing,
danced past two defenders and fired another flash low shot
home.
With the two brilliant goals, Marta, the Player of the Match,
now tops the World Cup scorer tally with seven goals. And no one
would doubt that she is the top candidate for the Golden Shoe and
Golden Ball.
Cristiane scored the third goal for Brazil on 56 minutes when
she secured an accurate pass in the open box and calmly drove the
ball into the net.
Cristiane almost widened the gap with two close-range shots, one
hitting the post and the other saved by American keeper Briana
Scurry.
Brazilians' amazing skills created great trouble for the
Americans who had to committed fouls to curb the Brazilian attacks,
leading to a red card (double yellow) for midfielder Shannon Boxx
in the 45th minute.
The skilful Brazilians dominated the second half, making
countless scoring chances against the ten-women US team.
American soccer legend Kristine Lilly, a 36-year-old veteran,
almost scored a consolation goal in the 63rd minute when she got a
clear shooting chance in the box. But the ball flew directly into
keeper Andreia's hug.
Brazil's previous best result in world arena was the silver
medal in Athens 2004 where they were beaten by the United States
2-1 through extra time.
The United States had encountered Brazil twice in the previous
World Cup events. In China 1991, the United States crushed Brazil
5-0 in group stage. In USA 1999, the United States beat Brazil 2-0
in the semi-final.
In the 2003 World Cup, hosts United States were routed by
Germany 3-0 in the semi-final while Brazil lost 2-1 to Sweden in
the quarter-final. Germany and Sweden went on to the final and the
Germans won the trophy.
Now, the United States will play with Norway, who was beaten by
Germany 3-0 in the semi-final on Wednesday, in the third-place
playoff, also in Shanghai on September 30.
(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2007)
