Daniela scored with a dramatic 30m blast and Marta capitalized on a defensive lapse for another goal to lead Brazil past Norway 2-1 yesterday, sending the South Americans to the women’s Olympic soccer semi-finals for the fourth straight time.
Daniela’s goal in the 43rd minute was her second in three games and capped a half in which the Brazilians repeatedly attacked, but sent in crosses that were easily cleared. Marta used her speed to exploit a blunder by Martin Fiane Christensen and added another in the 57th minute.
Brazil will play their next match on Monday in Shanghai.
PHOTO: AFP
Second-half substitute Siri Nordby restored hope for Norway in the 83rd minute, converting a penalty after Brazil goalkeeper Barbara brought down Elise Thorsnes by the ankles as she raced to gather the ball in the area. Pushing players forward, the Norwegians twice threatened to equalize, but sent both attempts — a shot from distance by Melissa Wiik and a header by Solveig Gulbrandsen from 6m out — over the crossbar.
Norway were coming off a 5-1 loss to Japan in their final group match three days earlier in which they surrendered four goals in the second half. They used a five-woman midfield, with Thorsnes alone up front.
Countering with a 3-4-3 formation, Brazil were able to frequently penetrate the flanks and generate continual crosses. But the Norwegians usually filled the penalty area and defused any danger.
“In the first half, we didn’t create a lot of chances,” Brazil coach Jorge Barcellos said. “Our focus was on defense. We had many difficulties and we want to solve these problems in training, especially in attack. We had 10 opportunities and two goals.”
Daniela’s goal came after she took the ball away from Leni Larsen Kaurin just outside the attacking third, took two touches and launched a shot from 30m that eluded the outstretched arm of Norway goalkeeper Erika Skarbo.
Brazil continued to push in the second half and Marta created her own opportunity by running past Fiane Christensen after the Norway defender had touched the ball toward her own goal. After getting round Fiane Christensen, Marta lunged in to poke the ball over goalkeeper Erika Skarbo from just inside the area.
It was also Marta’s second goal in three games and drew bows from teammate Tania as the Brazilians celebrated.
After reaching the final at the 2004 Athens Olympics and last year’s World Cup, the Brazilians are looking to get over the final hurdle for their first major title.
“We are confident,” Marta said. “If we continue with these difficult victories, it doesn’t matter. The important thing is if we win the gold medal.”
Norway, the 2000 Olympic champions who didn’t even qualify for the last games, went home after starting the tournament with a 2-0 victory over the gold medal favorites the US.
“We tried low pressure because we had to keep the team together,” Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen said. “I thought we did an excellent job until the first goal. The only thing I’m disappointed in was the way we let in the two goals. The first was an easy ball in our own half, and the second was a big mistake by our defender.”
Yesterday’s other quarter-final results were:
US 2, Canada 1 after extra-time
Japan 2, China 0
Sweden vs Germany in progress
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