Brazil reaches semis in eves' soccer
Saturday, 16 August 2008
TIANJIN, Aug 15 : Brazil cruised to the semifinals in the Olympic women's soccer tournament after beating Norway 2-1 here Friday.
Midfielder Daniela put Brazil ahead in the 44th minute with a power shot from outside the box.
Marta doubled the advantage in the 57th minute when Norway's center back Marit Fiane Christensen underhit the backpass, allowing Marta nip in and lob goalkeeper Erika Skarbo.
Norway pulled one back in the 82nd minute with defender Siri Nordby's penalty kick after forward Elise Thorsnes was pushed down by goalkeeper Barbara in a counterattack.
In a match of contrasting styles, the skillful South Americans sought to impose their short passing game while the European side tried to exploit their aerial strength with long passes and high balls.
The Brazilian squad is almost the same with that in last year's World Cup when they humbled the United States 4-0 in the semifinal and suffered a 2-0 loss to Germany in the final.
Brazil's top star Marta formed strike partnership with Cristiane, who had scored a hat-trick in her team's 3-1 win over Nigeria in the final group match.
After a fairly even start, Brazil slowly controlled the situation.
Midfielder Daniela put Brazil ahead in the 44th minute with a power shot from outside the box.
Marta doubled the advantage in the 57th minute when Norway's center back Marit Fiane Christensen underhit the backpass, allowing Marta nip in and lob goalkeeper Erika Skarbo.
Norway pulled one back in the 82nd minute with defender Siri Nordby's penalty kick after forward Elise Thorsnes was pushed down by goalkeeper Barbara in a counterattack.
In a match of contrasting styles, the skillful South Americans sought to impose their short passing game while the European side tried to exploit their aerial strength with long passes and high balls.
The Brazilian squad is almost the same with that in last year's World Cup when they humbled the United States 4-0 in the semifinal and suffered a 2-0 loss to Germany in the final.
Brazil's top star Marta formed strike partnership with Cristiane, who had scored a hat-trick in her team's 3-1 win over Nigeria in the final group match.
After a fairly even start, Brazil slowly controlled the situation.