The 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup’s USA vs Brazil fixture has robbed the headlines for all it is worth, and more so because it is not a final, but a quarter-final match only!
The history between both sides is extremely interesting and USA definitely have the upper hand in terms of head-to-head. This fact also brings us to ask ourselves a big question: Can Brazil’s best generation of female stars defeat USA en Route to glory?
Well, beating the United States is something that the Canarinhas have already done in the past. They actually did it pretty well. But winning gold on the international stage is something they haven’t been able to do at the relief of the Americans.
Three years ago, USA and Brazil met in the final of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the Samba Queens got painfully paid back for defeating the United States 4-0 in the semi-finals of the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.
The Americans most especially need to praise goalkeeper Hope Solo for her unbelievable performance in that match. Solo had controversially been benched against the Brazilians in China 2007, but got her reward in the Olympics. On Sunday, she will be among the key players under the spotlight.
Her role seems evidently tough as she knows it, but this doesn’t lower her confidence ahead of the titanic Brazil vs USA quarter-final match. Looking ahead to the game, Solo shared her views as Soccer America Daily reported:
“Brazil is a great team with great individual players. Of course they have [Marta], the best individual player, but there are holes.
“You can find holes in their defense and their midfield and there’s space to play. If we come to play and play as a team we can come out on top. If we play well we can really take it to Brazil.”
USA’s Hope Solo definitely has a good point there. Yes, Brazil are yet to conceded a goal at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany but this record doesn’t mean that they have the best defense. In fact, the Canarinhas’ back line has shown signs of weakness in each of their 3 group stages encounters. Should we call them lucky for not allowing a single goal? We perhaps should do so…
However, they have built some great momentum through 270 minutes of football—the last 45 minutes probably being their best. Brazil actually displayed a great performance in their last match against Equatorial Guinea after looking out of ideas in the first period.
That encounter proved that the Brazilians have a reliable Plan B—with winger Cristiane assuming a free role upfront and Marta deployed behind to provide the balls and support Brazil’s attack against the opponent’s packed midfield.
Meanwhile, sparkling USA were exposed by Sweden and lost 2-1 recently. The Americans have provided fans with some positive football but they’ve been very wasteful at times. They’ve also had to deal to injuries.
Wambach, for example, had to play through pain. But after scoring what turned out to be a consolation goal against Sweden, pundits are debating on the kind of form the veteran might show against Brazil.
Which player(s) will steal the show? Who will score the match’s killer goal? What agonizing mistake or historical move will mark this mouthwatering quarter-final fixture? Where will you put your money on between Brazil and USA?
Well, beating the United States is something that the Canarinhas have already done in the past. They actually did it pretty well. But winning gold on the international stage is something they haven’t been able to do at the relief of the Americans.
Three years ago, USA and Brazil met in the final of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the Samba Queens got painfully paid back for defeating the United States 4-0 in the semi-finals of the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.
The Americans most especially need to praise goalkeeper Hope Solo for her unbelievable performance in that match. Solo had controversially been benched against the Brazilians in China 2007, but got her reward in the Olympics. On Sunday, she will be among the key players under the spotlight.
Her role seems evidently tough as she knows it, but this doesn’t lower her confidence ahead of the titanic Brazil vs USA quarter-final match. Looking ahead to the game, Solo shared her views as Soccer America Daily reported:
“Brazil is a great team with great individual players. Of course they have [Marta], the best individual player, but there are holes.
“You can find holes in their defense and their midfield and there’s space to play. If we come to play and play as a team we can come out on top. If we play well we can really take it to Brazil.”
USA’s Hope Solo definitely has a good point there. Yes, Brazil are yet to conceded a goal at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany but this record doesn’t mean that they have the best defense. In fact, the Canarinhas’ back line has shown signs of weakness in each of their 3 group stages encounters. Should we call them lucky for not allowing a single goal? We perhaps should do so…
However, they have built some great momentum through 270 minutes of football—the last 45 minutes probably being their best. Brazil actually displayed a great performance in their last match against Equatorial Guinea after looking out of ideas in the first period.
That encounter proved that the Brazilians have a reliable Plan B—with winger Cristiane assuming a free role upfront and Marta deployed behind to provide the balls and support Brazil’s attack against the opponent’s packed midfield.
Meanwhile, sparkling USA were exposed by Sweden and lost 2-1 recently. The Americans have provided fans with some positive football but they’ve been very wasteful at times. They’ve also had to deal to injuries.
Wambach, for example, had to play through pain. But after scoring what turned out to be a consolation goal against Sweden, pundits are debating on the kind of form the veteran might show against Brazil.
Which player(s) will steal the show? Who will score the match’s killer goal? What agonizing mistake or historical move will mark this mouthwatering quarter-final fixture? Where will you put your money on between Brazil and USA?
