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Sports / Soccer
Host's hopes up in the air at World Cup
By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-17 09:33
WUHAN: China's head coach is crossing her fingers Brazil dishes out the
same treatment to Denmark during the last group match of the Women's
World Cup after the formiddable South Americans thumpd the home side 4-0
on Friday.
China's Swedish coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors and the players show
disappointment after a 4-0 drubbing by mighty Brazil on Saturday,
September 15, 2007. [Xinhua]
The Brazilians are three competition points clear of both Denmark and
their latest victim China and possess a far superior for-and-against goal
scoring record - nine compared to the Danes' one and China's minus three
- meaning they are all but assured of progressing to the quarters.
China's coach, Marika Domanski-Lyfors, is hopeful her charges can now
beat New Zealand by a large margin and the South Americans do the same to
the Danes.
"Brazil has very good position in the group with six points while China
and Denmark have three points each," the Swedish mentor said.
"I hope Brazil will be professional and play the best game and field the
best team against Denmark."
China might fall short of qualification even if it wins its final pool
match against New Zealand.
"If Brazil lost the match to Denmark, it would be very, very difficult
for us as we have to score many, many goals against New Zealand."
Local media have speculated that Brazil would not field its best players
for the side's third match.
But Brazil has dismissed suggestions it would treat Denmark lightly.
"Brazilians have always been playing the best games," said Jorge Barcelos.
"Yes, we have six points but we will still try to do the best in our
third match against Denmark.
"Wining every match is very important for us to gain confidence, because
we are coming here to win the World Cup. We have to be 100 percent ready
at any time."
Even if the fancied Brazilians lose to Denmark by one or two goals, they
will most likely still finish top of the group.
China, on the other hand, will have to overpower the Kiwis by at least
five goals if Brazil loses by just one.
Domanksi-Lyfors expressed her disappointment at China's failure to score
one or more goals against Brazil.
"We tried to go for a win in this game and I think we did a very good
first half," she said. "We should have scored two goals but we did not.
We made a mistake and lost a goal in the last minute of the first half
and that was crucial.
"Now firstly we have to beat New Zealand and score as many goals as
possible and then we have to hope Brazil will beat Denmark."
International star Marta was instrumental in Brazil's win against China
scoring two superb goals and setting up another two for teammates.
But Domanski-Lyfors refused to accept her players should have doubled up
on Marta in defense.
"Brazil is a better team," she said.
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