US ousts Brazil amid high drama, Sweden through
Source: Agencies |
July 12, 2011, Tuesday
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THE match of the tournament turned into one for the ages on Sunday when an own goal, retaken penalties, a sending off, an injury-time equalizer and a penalty shootout win swept the United States past Brazil and into the women's World Cup semifinals after the teams drew 2-2.
Sweden had less trouble, advancing in regulation after scoring early and convincingly to destroy the hopes of underdog Australia with a 3-1 victory.
Playing for 55 minutes with a woman down, the gritty US team never gave up against two-goal Marta and the Brazilians and got a last-gasp equalizer in extra time from forward Abby Wambach to set up the penalty shootout.
"We never give up," Wambach said. "We never gave up."
The US won the shootout 5-3, when Alex Krieger slotted the last penalty past Andreia.
In Dresden, superstar Marta turned into the villain of the sellout crowd of crowd of 25,598 after her game was characterized as much by relentless whining as her superb skill. She set up and converted Brazil's penalty to level the match in the 65th minute and seemingly secured the win with a delicate volley in the 92nd minute.
With the United States reduced to 10 players since the penalty, the Americans still kept up the pressure it had used to dominate proceedings since a clumsy own-goal from Daiane in the second minute.
Yet it long looked like it could not make up for the lack of one of its players, and the presence of Marta on the opposition side. But then Wambach came alive with one last desperate attempt, soaring high and heading in the equalizer in the 122nd minute. "I am so happy it went in," she said.
With two goals, Marta became the joint-best World Cup scorer with 14 overall, equaling Germany's Birgit Prinz on the all-time list. Marta, though, is just 25, while Prinz effectively retired from the World Cup with Germany's loss against Japan on Saturday.
Wambach and a missed penalty from Daiane made sure Brazil's women still have no major title after finishing second in the last World Cup and last two Olympics.
The crowd increasingly whistled and booed Marta after she started protesting and balking at most decisions.
"I didn't understand why there were so many whistles," Brazil coach Kleiton Lima said. "She was a genius as always."
US coach Pia Sundhage agreed.
"Marta is the best player in the world hands down. However, this team is better than one player," she said.
Sweden had less trouble, advancing in regulation after scoring early and convincingly to destroy the hopes of underdog Australia with a 3-1 victory.
Playing for 55 minutes with a woman down, the gritty US team never gave up against two-goal Marta and the Brazilians and got a last-gasp equalizer in extra time from forward Abby Wambach to set up the penalty shootout.
"We never give up," Wambach said. "We never gave up."
The US won the shootout 5-3, when Alex Krieger slotted the last penalty past Andreia.
In Dresden, superstar Marta turned into the villain of the sellout crowd of crowd of 25,598 after her game was characterized as much by relentless whining as her superb skill. She set up and converted Brazil's penalty to level the match in the 65th minute and seemingly secured the win with a delicate volley in the 92nd minute.
With the United States reduced to 10 players since the penalty, the Americans still kept up the pressure it had used to dominate proceedings since a clumsy own-goal from Daiane in the second minute.
Yet it long looked like it could not make up for the lack of one of its players, and the presence of Marta on the opposition side. But then Wambach came alive with one last desperate attempt, soaring high and heading in the equalizer in the 122nd minute. "I am so happy it went in," she said.
With two goals, Marta became the joint-best World Cup scorer with 14 overall, equaling Germany's Birgit Prinz on the all-time list. Marta, though, is just 25, while Prinz effectively retired from the World Cup with Germany's loss against Japan on Saturday.
Wambach and a missed penalty from Daiane made sure Brazil's women still have no major title after finishing second in the last World Cup and last two Olympics.
The crowd increasingly whistled and booed Marta after she started protesting and balking at most decisions.
"I didn't understand why there were so many whistles," Brazil coach Kleiton Lima said. "She was a genius as always."
US coach Pia Sundhage agreed.
"Marta is the best player in the world hands down. However, this team is better than one player," she said.
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