Just want to say something, as a few have stated here that they believe the Brazil game is proof we shouldn't have gone to the Olympics.
I remember some people saying the Oceania countries are a waste of time (may or may not be the same people). Without wishing to be too forward, we could equate our being in Oceania and playing some of their minor teams with this game tonight, with the roles reversed.
We need to blood our players on the world stage, and as many have said, it shows the holes in our coaching methods on the world stage. That means there will be some valuable lesson learned from both our womens and mens participation in the Olympics, and that is the most important thing in my eyes. These must be used as catalysts to raise the profile of the game in NZ, and to improve our players and coaching strategies.
To me, the direct football approach is only effective when your long passes get to your team mates accurately, and should only be a part of a repotoire (sp) of possible strategies, including South American style. If the long passes are easily intercepted or misplaced, you are merely dispossessing your own team of the ball, enableing the opposition to counter attack.
Dunno how many games my own team has lost, under the pump, leading with 10 to go and relegating their play to the 'hammer it upfield' approach, only to have the opposition gladly accept the possession and then continue to pressure us. This tournament has really show the New Zealand inadequacies to everyone.
Even in the Norway game, which was a closer fought contest, I lost count of how many of our long balls went too far or were intercepted by the opposition, who then passed back to their keeper and away they went building an attack.
So in summary, I think it is important to have these matches, no matter how much we may lose by, as painful as it is to watch, and from the perspective that there are lessons to be learnt. Long live our participation in the Olympics, as it may well assist us to make improvements to play in the World Cup!
Dunno about you, but I'm proud they're there.
Kia Kaha Kiwi!