Brasil blew out Norway in the group play and Sweden plays a similar style. Will the result be the same in the afternoon sun at Foxboro?
I think this will be an entertaining match. I'm half wondering if Brazil may be looking past this match to the semis. That would be a mistake. Brian
No sun today. Cloudy and cool. Highs near 60. We had rain this morning. There is still a slight chance of rain this evening. The weather will be more to Sweden's liking. (The Scots would call this a sunny day. )
Upstart Brazil battles Sweden in the second round http://www.cybersoccernews.com/Women's World Cup/secondrounds/030930bra-sweadv.shtml
The article at cybersoccernews stated that Sweden and Norway play similar styles. I've read this before but can't agree with that. I don't see Sweden normally using long balls to succees. They have a very effective midfield.
Swedes plan to focus their aggression against Brazil “Our tactic will be to focus on our objective and be aggressive,” said Sweden head coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors. “We must put pressure on them when they have the ball and not give away any space like Norway did against Brazil. They are a dangerous and good opponent.” http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/030930/1/b6y.html
This game will show if the Norway win was the real Brazil or a fluke. I am inclined to think the former.
Attacking-wise, Sweden is more attractive. They spread around the type of passes to get the ball downfield. And Vickan and Hanna are often on the receiving end of some solid through balls or passes into space.
Lineups: Brazil: Andreia Simone Juliana Tania Renata Costa Formiga Marta Rosana Maicon Katia Daniela Sweden: Jönsson Westberg Törnqvist Marklund Moström Larsson Andersson Ljungberg Svensson Sjoestrom Österberg Bench: Michelle Rafeala Kelly Cristiane Giselle Monica Renata Priscila Milene ???????? Sweden: Bengtsson Nordin Lundgren Johansson Fagerström Sjögran Olsson Call Öqvist
Game's on. Sweden has their backup keeper in the game because they are concerned that the starter may have ingested something that contained a controlled substance and yanked her from the lineup. 10 mins - 0x0
1-1; Marta hits home a PK. good! nothing like an equalizer right before HT to boost team morale and to frustrate the opponent.
That "penalty" was given for a perfectly executed DIVE. This Ref is another example of the somewhat bizarre, inconsistent officiating. PS:- am a fan of neither team. Just want to see a great game.
Granted she dived, but I thought she was also tripped, just embelished it. Anyways, the non-call on Katia was less certain, though I think Katia got her two own legs tangled up in addition to being pushed.
Totally agree.Could have gone either way.The Ref allowed so much extremely physical play that she seemed to lose control of the game at times.
I thought the free kick from Andersson was world class - men's or women's. Even the first goal was essentially from a set piece. The throw-in near the corner set up an easy cross for Mostroem. Svensson (my player of the match) had plenty of time to sight the goal and bury the header.
i didn't see the first penalty, but katia was definitely taken down in stoppage time, should have been a clear penalty - but yeah that ref calls a weird match
I thought that the free kick was great. So was Vickan's header. Others that the gk should have been over to that side on the kick. I don't know. Anyway, Katia was pushed and her legs were tangled up too. It's a debate.
the phrase was pushed and the fact that legs were "tangled" with the sweden player coming from behind should tell you that there really isn't much to debate - that was about as clear as a penalty gets