Brazil blazes to another World Cup win

Marta’s 2 goals highlight 4-0 victory vs. China country aimed toward semis

Sept. 15, 2007

WUHAN, China - There’s fast. And then there’s Marta.

The FIFA player of the year shimmied a loose ball past a diving goalkeeper and whipped another shot behind two defenders to lead Brazil to a 4-0 win over host China on Saturday in the Women’s World Cup.

Brazil established itself as the overwhelming favorite to win Group D, which would give the South Americans a clear path to the semifinals and — perhaps — a shot at winning its first Women’s World Cup.

China coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors seemed convinced of Brazil’s chances, calling her eighth-ranked opponents “the best team in the world” during a post-game news conference.

“If before we thought we should beat Brazil, yeah, that was a dream of course,” she said.

The match between the Group D rivals was among the most physical in the World Cup, with players battling for possession as the teams launched waves of attacks and counterattacks. Five players were given yellow cards.

Marta has scored four goals in two games, and she also assisted on her team’s two other scores Saturday. She leads all tournament scorers with four.

“I’m the striker, so I try my best to look for scoring chances,” Marta said. “Usually if I have a chance I will shoot myself but if my teammates have good chances, I kick the ball to them. I think our win today comes from great combinations and cooperation on the field.”

Brazil outshot China 16-4 and dominated possession time.

Marta’s goals displayed all the skills that make her one of the most exciting players in women’s soccer. In the 42nd minute, she raced up the left side toward a bouncing loose ball, and used the outside of her right foot to slip it past diving goalie Han Wenxia, coolly slotting in it with her left foot.

As the second half opened, she assisted on back-to-back goals, with help from an error by the Chinese goalie. Han wanted to throw the ball to a teammate in the 48th, but it went to Marta instead. The Brazilian player passed it to Cristiane at the back post, who one-timed it in with her left foot.

That followed a goal just one minute earlier, also with Cristiane scoring off a pass from Marta.

Marta’s second goal, in the 70th minute, was the most impressive. With two defenders on her heels, she ran away from the goal, then turned quickly and launched a shot with her left foot from 15 (meters) yards.

China tried to counter Brazil’s quick game by sending long passes behind the Brazilian defense.

But that tactic was no match for Brazil’s free-flowing style of give-and-go, fancy fakes and fleet footwork. They played their quick game in front of China’s goal, threading passes through three or four defenders.

“It’s not only Marta on Brazil, they have many small Martas too,” Domanski-Lyfors said. “They have good qualities, every player.”

The Brazilian defense held Chinese strikers Han Duan and Ma Xiaoxu to a quiet game. Han launched a shot past two defenders in the 58th minute but her attempt went wide.

The home crowd at the Wuhan Sports Center Stadium cheered and sang throughout the game, waving flags. Near the end of the match, with China trailing 4-0 and the starters leaving the field, the near-capacity crowd of 54,000 began singing the national anthem.

The loss leaves China tied for second place in Group D with Denmark, which beat New Zealand 2-0 earlier Saturday night. China can advance to the quarterfinals with a win over the underdog Kiwis, while Denmark will have to beat Brazil in its final first-round match.

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