The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2007 runners-up Brazil faced Australia in a Group D encounter at the Stadion im Borussia-Park, Moenchengladbach today. The Brazilians led by superstar Marta had their difficulties against the “Matildas”, but managed to win the match.

The “Seleção” played a temporising game in the early minutes of the first half, while Australia created lot of pressure on the Brazilians.

Australia had the first chance of the match in the 7th minute, when Brazil’s Rosana commited a foul on Lisa de Vanna. The resulting free kick was taken by Collette McCallum, but her shot went well wide.

The “Matiladas” faced a first Brazilian challenge only two minutes later, when a well-timed cross from the left flank found Rosana in the box. Australian keeper Melissa Barbieri had no need to step in as the header went over the crossbar.

The Brazilians showed no real interest to take control of the match and the Australians continued to work hard and to push further ahead. Kyah Simon’s left-footed shot from the edge of the area was saved by Brazilian keeper Andreia in the 23rd minute.

The match almost took a surprising twist in the 26th minute, when a cross from the left found Cristiane in the box. The Brazilian forward’s abortive attempt reached her teammate Rosana, who blasted the ball over the crossbar from a short distance.

Lisa De Vanna missed a golden opportunity to give the “Matildas” the lead in the 30th minute, when the striker intercepted a pass from Brazilian skipper Aline and acted hastily. De Vanna had all the time she needed to target the goal properly and finish off in style, but her shot went wide.

Brazil’s superstar Marta had her first attempt on goal in the 35th minute, when her long range shot missed the target. The five-time winner of the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award and her team faced a solid Australian side in the first half.

Brazilian coach Kleiton Lima was not a satisfied man at half-time and it seemed like he found the right words to wake up his team in the dressing room.

The Brazilians looked more determined in the second half and it paid off for the favourites in the 54th minute. Cristiane displayed some excellent skills at the edge of the box and headed the ball towards Rosana. The Brazilian forward’s left footed shot from the centre of the box found its way past keeper Barbieri to give her team the lead against the run of play.

Australia lost their thread after the goal, while Brazil was in full control of the proceedings. Rosana almost scored a second goal in the 58th minute, but her right-footed shot from outside the box was saved by Barbieri.

Heather Garriock’s attempt from a long range position in the 77th minute was easily saved by Brazil’s keeper Andreia, but it gave the Australians the confidence to push for the virtual equaliser. Sally Shipard fired a right-footed shot from outside the box in the 78th minute, just to see the ball missing the target to the left.

The spectators in the Stadion im Borussia-Park had their sympathies with the “Matildas” and they almost had a reason to cheer in the 88th minute. But Lisa de Vanna missed an excellent chance to level the score as her chip over the keeper was too high and the ball went out for a goal kick.

Brazil managed to keep their clean sheet and to register a vital win against an impressive team from “Down Under”.

.

Group D – Matchday 4
Brazil 1-0 Australia

.

GOALS
1-0 Rosana (54′)

.

VENUE
Stadion im Borussia-Park, Moenchengladbach

.

LINE-UPS

BRAZIL
1-ANDREIA; 2-MAURINE, 3-DAIANE, 4-ALINE [C], 6-ROSANA; 7-ESTER, 8-FORMIGA (84′ 15-FRANCIELLE), 13-ERIKA, 14-FABIANA; 10-MARTA, 11-CRISTIANE

Unused Subs
5-RENATA COSTA, 9-BEATRIZ, 12-BARBARA, 16-ELAINE, 17-DANIELE, 18-THAIS, 19-GRAZIELLE, 20-ROSEANE, 21-THAIS

AUSTRALIA
1-Melissa BARBIERI [C]; 3-Kim CARROLL, 8-Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 10-Servet UZUNLAR; 7-Heather GARRIOCK, 12-Emily VAN EGMOND (61′ 15-Sally SHIPARD), 13-Tameka BUTT (86′ 4-Clare POLKINGHORNE), 14-Collette McCALLUM; 9-Caitlin FOORD, 11-Lisa DE VANNA, 17-Kyah SIMON (79′ 20-Samantha KERR)

Unused Subs
2-Teigen ALLEN, 5-Laura ALLEWAY, 6-Ellyse PERRY, 16-Lauren COLTHORPE, 18-Lydia WILLIAMS, 19-Leena KHAMIS, 21-Casey DUMONT

.

MATCH OFFICALS

Referee
Jenny PALMQVIST (SWE)

Assistant Referees
Helen KARO (SWE), Anna NYSTROM (SWE)

.

BOOKINGS

Yellow Cards
…

Red Cards
…