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Sports / Soccer
'Kangaroos' will not be a block in Brazil's pace
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-22 16:12
TIANJIN - Australia will not slow down Brazil's high-speed to roll into
the semifinal in their 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal here on
Sunday.
Australia's captain Cheryl Salisbury (C) celebrates with team mates after
scoring a goal during the group soccer match at the 2007 FIFA Women's
World Cup against Canada in Chengdu September 20, 2007. [Reuters]?
Australia created the new record in its Women's World Cup history by
qualifying from the Group C. They defeated Ghana 4-1, to revenge the loss
in 2003 World Cup and also to seize their first win in their four-time
World Cup trips. They then tied Norway 1-1 and Canada with 2-2 to rank
second after Norway in Group C with five points and qualified for the
quarterfinals to face Brazil.
China 2007 is the first FIFA Women's World Cup in which Australia have
competed under the banner of Asian Football Confederation(AFC), and the
Matildas, as they're often better known, are justifiably confident of
improving on disappointing previous showings at this Cup.
Under Tom Sermanni, who returned to the job in 2005 after an eight-year
exile, the Australians have at their disposal a talented, athletic and
settled squad of players who, with every passing tournament, continue to
progress on a steady upwards trajectory.
The Matildas' main problem remains that, unlike many of their main rivals
at China 2007, they do not have a national women's league in which to
gain experience and maintain year-round match sharpness, although Cheryl
Saliisbury, their captain, remains confident that this is a hurdle which
can be overcome.
"I think we certainly have the potential to win a World Cup," the captain
said. "We have the potential to beat any team out there and our results
have certainly indicated that we can do that."
"Like they said with the Socceroos at Germany 2006, we won't just be
going to make up numbers - we want to put a stamp on the World Cup and go
for top three placings. We want to strive to be the best in the world and
hold up that trophy at the end of the tournament," said Australian
goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri.
Just like their counterparts in the men's game, Brazil have constantly
wowed spectators across the globe with their entertaining, skillful
football. Brazil is the only South American side to have participated in
every FIFA Women's World Cup thus far. Its best-ever performance was in
1999 in the United States, where the Selecao finished third.
Four years on from that notable feat, a Brazil side now including
exciting young talent Marta and Katia failed to build on their 1999
success, crashing to Sweden in the Round of 16 at USA 2003.
Despite this disappointment, the new generation of gifted Brazil stars
made silver in Athens 2004 and third place at FIFA U-20 Women's
Championship Russia 2006.
Brazil was the only team who won all three group matches in 16 teams.
They trashed New Zealand 5-0 and defeated host China 4-0 then. Depending
on the goal at the very last minute, they beat Denmark 1-0 and topped
Group D.
"We recently proved to be the world's third best team at U-20 level,
which was a great starting point for this squad. My sights are now set on
taking these girls to the very top of world football over in China," said
Jorge Barcelos, Brazil coach.
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