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Thursday, September 27, 2007

WWC Semi-final 2nd half: Brazil v USA

Wambach had no chance to shine at all, no chance. The closest she came was a header in the first half that went into the hands of the excellent no goal conceded yet Brazilian keeper Andreia.

The yet menacing and speedy Brazilians were way too fast for the Americans, overtaking the Americans every minute, keeping them busy all the time. Kristine Lily was so near to just placing a goal back for the USA in the 74th minute but could only afford a weak shot into the hands of Andreia. The Americans were tired off and just couldn't catch up with the Brazilians. The introduction of Carli Lloyd for the young and brilliant defender Lopez 1 minute after the second half started did not help at all. Surely the US have to just defend now but at the same time, Greg Ryan wanted to add fire into the midfield to try attacking, with the midfield already short of one player. In the 60th minute, Tina Ellertson was brought on for the not so bright O'Reilly to power the defence line. That, did help and Tina did a brilliant job in preventing Daniela from putting in the 5th goal in the 82nd minute. Other than that, the defence has been caught sleeping many times and of course, Brazil took advantage of that with their quick feet and tried to score every time but luck did not go their way in the last 20minutes. Christane had a shot that hit the top of the woodwork and another that was just wide. In the 74th minute, Mariam Dalmy made her first Senior WC debut for the limping Kate Markgraf and took centre back with Ellertson while Whitehill moved to the right, with Rampone moving to the left back.

4 minutes from time, Brazil played the time wasting game, keeping possession in their own half, passing back and forth and surely it was clear that with the presence of Marta, Christane, who scored the 3rd goal 9 minutes after the restart and Daniela, Brazil dominated over us Americans, placing 4 goals pass us, with Marta taking 2, with the 2nd one in the 79th minute, bringing her goal tally to a total of 6 goals in five games, just one ahead of her team mate, Christane.

Brianna must have felt that she was jinxed to have been chosen to play. Bad luck fell on her side just went she makes her first appearance in this World Cup in China, conceding 4 goals against the side where she did not concede earlier this year in the 4 nations tournament. Hope was shown sitting on the bench matched with a moody face and I'm sure she wasn't happy at all for being put onto the bench. She just got that I-could-have-prevented-all-those-goals-from-going-in-had-you-played-me-ryan look and it did look really... well you know. Had you stare longer into those eyes, you would be scared stiff.

Did I mention, that Marta made both Ellertson and Chalupny looked stupid? Yes, she did and she did make them look like clowns, fooling them with her every move when she got the ball. She even had the time to dance with the ball, receiving applause from the crowd, including the host county people. When I say dance, I really mean dance, like those Brazilian joga dance dance. She fooled them and made them looked so focus and smack, she moved the ball in the opposite direction from their focus and moved. Also, she has a scary face.

The dream of reaching the finals to face off the ex champions Germany is now gone and for now, the US have to focus their attention on Norway, play hard, fight hard and fight to get the not very attractive bronze medal before heading for a more than 10 hour flight back home, sweet home. I'm banging on Germany to retain their title this time. Bring it on home, hideous Lingor and captain Brigit Prinz!

Labels: Women's World Cup 2007

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