Brazil and Norway storm into the quarter-finals, joined by Australia and China

HANGZHOU, 20 September 2007

The combined forces of Daniela, Pretinha and 40,000 screaming Chinese fans were enough for Brazil to snatch a late win against a determined Danish side in Hangzhou. The win, combined with China’s 2-0 victory over New Zealand in Tianjin means China join Brazil in the quarterfinals.

In Group C earlier in the day, Norway made light work of Ghana, topping the group with a 7-2 victory, while Australia broke Canadian hearts at the death to grab a 2-2 draw and the coveted 2nd spot. Norway will face China, while Australia will have to think of ways to cope with Brazil’s blistering forwards.

The Danish game-plan was clear from the outset – their defensive 4-5-1 was designed to keep Brazil at bay while hoping to spring counter-attacks with pacy wingers. As a defensive plan it worked brilliantly for almost 91 minutes.

In the first half Brazil didn’t have a single chance on goal from inside the Danish area. In fact, it was Denmark who first threatened the breakthrough. After only seven minutes Brazilian goalkeeper Andreia had to be at full stretch to keep out Maiken Pape’s header.

The Brazilians became frustrated – all their speed and skill in thrilling approach work floundered at the 18 yard box. They began snatching at long shots and not coming close. For all Marta’s undoubted skill, too many times she held onto the ball for too long and promising opportunities were spurned. At half-time, Denmark were in second place as China vs New Zealand also stood at 0-0.

The majority Chinese fans in the Hangzhou Dragon Stadium were cheering every forward move of Brazil’s to the rooftops. Some went so far as to jeer and boo when Denmark had free kicks and corners. But the biggest roar of the night so far, the one that threatened to lift the roof from its impressive suspensions, came when the stadium PA announced that Li Jie had scored to make it China 1 New Zealand 0.

Chinese joy was complete on 79 minutes when Xie Caixia made sure of China’s qualification with a second goal. Petrinha’s cool finish from player of the match Daniela’s cut back was the icing on the cake, confirming both Brazil’s dominance and China’s qualification.

It was hard not to feel for the Danish team – they had given so much to yet another fantastic game in this Women’s World Cup and yet, as in their earlier epic against China, had come out narrow losers. Hopefully these matches will serve as both the enduring memory of this year’s first round (rather than the farcical opening game) and the blueprint for a future of increasingly sophisticated, competitive and exciting women’s football.

More to come on the fans (including Ghana’s infectious and tireless dance troupe) and Group C…

Brazil stun China; Canada crush Ghana

15 September, 2007 – ROUNDUP

Brazil thrashed hosts China 4-0 in the Wuhan Sports Center on Saturday evening in a result that leaves them all but assured of a place in the quarter finals. China will have to win in their last game against New Zealand and hope for the right result in the Brazil vs Denmark match. After beating New Zealand 2-0, Denmark themselves will almost certainly qualify if they get a draw in the final group match.

China started the game brightly with Song Xiaoli coming close to replicating her stunning strike against Denmark. It was Brazil who took the lead, however. Just before the break, Marta was able to lift the ball over the weak challenge of Chinese goalkeeper, Han Wenxia, and tap the ball into an empty net.

Whatever was said at half-time, it seemed to have little effect on the Chinese team, who were 3-0 down within three minutes. Marta set up Christiane for an easy finish, then just a minute later the combination bore fruit again after a disastrously poor throw out from China’s Han.

Brazil relaxed and the show-boating began. Their confidence is soaring, and rightly so. Marta and Christiane have gone through two defences like hot knives through butter. China’s fans gave their team a standing ovation regardless, but the hosts will be hoping Brazil keep their standards as high when they face Denmark.

Back in Group C, Canada crushed Ghana 4-0 to give themselves hope of possibly qualifying for the next round. After Australia and Norway drew 1-1, only Ghana have nothing left to play for in the final round of games.

Canada’s strength in the air was the deciding factor as Chrstine Sinclair opened the scoring with a looping header after a quarter of an hour. Ghana again appeared unable of raising their game to the necessary standard, but with more composure, Anita Amankwa could have levelled rather than smashing the ball against the woodwork.

Throughout the second half, Canada continued to press their dominance, two more headers with no serious challening jumps from the Ghanaian defence and a second for Sinclair wrapped up the points and gave Canada what could be a useful goal difference boost.

NB – I can’t pretend to have seen any of the Australia-Norway game, so any comments on that will have to wait.