Football Ferns vs Brazilians (snarf)
1-0.
Interestingly the Brazilian women dive which is something I've never seen in my limited watching of the womens game.
Aus are up 1-0 over Ghana in the other game.
2 now
)
NEW ZEALAND 0 BRAZIL 4 - LIVE
NZF/September 12, 2007
Brazil lead New Zealand 4-0 with time almost up in their FIFA Women's World Cup opener in Wuhan, China.
Daniela gave the 2004 Athens Olympic Games silver medalists a 10th minute lead when she sent a long-range howlitzer over the head of Football Ferns goalkeeper Jenny Bindon.
New Zealand battled well to limit the damage to a goal at halftime despite Brazil's dominance but the South Americans were not to be denied, Cristiane rifling home a classy left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area in the 54th minute to double the lead.
Daniela nearly made it 3-0 in the 66th minute but watched as her shot cannoned away to safety off the woodwork before hitting a 71st minute shot straight into Bindon's gloves.
Brazil finally had their third goal when 2006 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year Marta supplied a clinical left-footed finish to Cristiane's through-ball in the 73rd minute as New Zealand were punished for failing to clear defensively.
New Zealand face Denmark - whom they lost to 3-0 at the first FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991 - in their second group D game in Wuhan on Saturday.
Hosts China were to face Denmark in Wednesday's night's other first round group D game.
(A full report from China will follow shortly).
New Zealand 0 Brazil 4 (Daniela 10, Cristiane 54, Marta 73, Renata 86). Halftime: 0-1.
NZF/September 12, 2007
FOOTBALL FERNS PRIMED FOR BRAZIL BATTLE
September 11, 2007
NZF/ WUHAN, CHINA � The Football Ferns are under no illusions about how difficult their first World Cup game against Brazil will be on Wednesday night but determined to take their more fancied opponents to the wire.
Wuhan�s 52,000-seater stadium is expected to be near capacity for the match � part of a Group D double header also featuring Denmark and China � and the Football Ferns will be hoping to have many of the locals in their camp when they kick-off at 9pm New Zealand time (Live Sky Sport 3).
World champions Germany showed just how large the gap can be between the very best and the rest by demolishing Argentina 11-0 in the tournament�s opening match and it�s something of which Football Ferns head coach is all too aware.
�Teams like Germany, the USA and Brazil are absolute powerhouses of the game, and that result just shows that what New Zealand is up against when we play on the world stage,� said Herdman.
�We know it�s going to be tough, but there�s a belief in the team that if everyone plays to their full potential and a little bit more we can put in a credible performance.�
Just like their male counterparts, the Sele� � o have appeared in every World Cup, are renown for their attacking style of football, and boast some of the game�s most gifted players.
In Marta, their free-scoring striker � and the first woman to join Pele, Zico, Garrincha, Ronaldo and Romario in Brazilian football�s hall of fame � Brazil have a player with the genuine ability to turn any game on its head.
Football Ferns captain, Rebecca Smith admitted it was a David and Goliath match-up but said her team wouldn�t back down.
�We�re underdogs � there�s no doubt, but sometime that can work in your favour,� said Smith.
�We don�t fear anyone and will do everything we can to make sure Brazil know they�ve been in a battle.�
Herdman won�t name his side until an hour before kick-off but he hinted at some tactical changes to the side that lined up against USA last month in order to counter Brazil�s individual brilliance.
�We�ll be putting our best defenders on the pitch, in terms of players that have the pace and physical attributes to frustrate the Brazilians and knock them off their rhythm.�
�There�s no easy games at a World Cup, so the chance to achieve something against a team like Brazil first up is a fantastic opportunity.�
My question is why were they let our the kitchen at all?!
One
or two others as well.... Steroids????
Oh No thats China!!!!!
My question is why were they let our the kitchen at all?!
I
should'nt laugh my wife would kill me, but that was funny
Shirt number: 13
Position: Forward
Club: Univ. Stanford (USA)
Date of Birth: 30.10.1987
Height: 163 cm
Weight: 53 kg
International Caps: 8 (as of 9 September)
I never thought that I'd say a group of Kiwi girls was heaps better looking than a group of Brazilian ones, but some of those Brazilians were, er, well, rough...