Brazil team page
Squad
Coach: Jorge Barcellos
Roster
Goalkeepers: Andreia, Barbara, Thais
Defenders: Elaine, Aline, Ester, Monica, Tania
Midfielders: Jatoba, Rosana, Bage, Renata Costa, Michelle, Daniela, Pretinha, Maycon, Grazielle
Forwards: Formiga, Cristiane, Katia, Marta
Scouting report
Current world ranking: 8th (first in CONMEBOL)
Strengths: When it comes to the beautiful game, Brazil has perfected it. And that doesn't just apply to the men's team anymore. Led by the attacking trio of Marta, Cristiane and Katia, the Brazilians show incredible displays of skill with the ball and originality off the ball. The chemistry between the aforementioned players is eerie. They always know where the others are on the field: it's as though they have eyes on the backs of their heads. The Selecaos are also tough. Many of Brazil's players are smaller in stature, but they aren't afraid to get a little dirty. They do not like to be knocked off the ball and if they do, they pressure relentlessly to get it back. That tenacity unsettles many teams.
Weaknesses: There is a time for flashiness and a time for simple soccer. Teams are given the green light for risks and creativity in the offensive third of the field, but encouraged to play more conservative in the middle and defensive thirds of the pitch. Brazil's women can be guilty of ignoring this concept. Though the Selecaos have tightened up defensively in the past few years, they can be prone to turnovers and poor decision-making. They did not give up a goal in crushing the competition at July's Pan American Games, but the competition will be much tougher at the World Cup. Brazil will be missing starting defender Elaine for its first game against New Zealand because of a suspension that carries over from the South American qualifying tournament. Jorge Barcellos has also expressed his concern for his players' positional play, saying they can often get pulled out of their shape if they get frazzled out of their game plan. Brazil comes into the World Cup off a disappointing 2-1 exhibition loss to Japan on Sept. 2.
Player to watch: Marta. The reigning FIFA World Women's player of the year has all the tools wrapped up in a five-foot-three package: dazzling dribbling, speed, balance and vision. There's a reason Pele himself called her "Pele in skirts." The lightning-quick Brazilian scored five times and set up another in a 7-0 mashing of injury-depleted Canada at the Pan American Games, a performance that left her opponents in awe. Canadian defenders tried everything to stop her, fouling and yanking at her shirt, but Marta left them in her dust. Said Canada's Martina Franko: "I think she's faster with the ball than without it."
Prognosis: Brazil should finish atop this group with little trouble if it plays up to its potential, though China may have something to say about it.
ROAD TO THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
2007 qualification route: Brazil earned its berth to China 2007 by placing second in the final group of the final competition of the 2006 Sudamericano Femenino.
Qualification record: 7 games played, 6 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss
Goals for: 30 Goals against: 4
Top goal scorer in qualifying: Cristiane (12)
Qualifying results:
Round robin (Group B): in Mar del Plata, Argentina
Nov. 11, 2006: Paraguay 1, Brazil 4
Nov. 13, 2006: Peru 0, Brazil 2
Nov. 17, 2006: Brazil 6, Bolivia 1
Nov. 19, 2006: Brazil 6, Venezuela 0
Final round (Round-robin format): in Mar del Plata, Argentina
Nov. 22, 2006: Brazil 6, Uruguay 0
Nov. 24, 2006: Brazil 6, Paraguay 0
Nov. 26, 2006: Argentina 2, Brazil 0
Women's World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)
Sept. 12 : New Zealand vs. Brazil in Wuhan (Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium) at 1700
Sept. 15 : Brazil vs. China in Wuhan (Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium) at 2000
Sept. 19: Brazil vs. Denmark in Hangzhou (Hangzhou Dragon Stadium) at 2000
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP HISTORY
Brazil has qualified for every FIFA Women's World Cup since 1991. The country's best result came at the 1999 tournament in the United States when it won a bronze medal, upending perennial tournament favourites Norway in penalty kicks. The Selecaos nearly reached the semifinals again in 2003, but lost a close 2-1 decision to eventual World Cup runners-up Sweden.
Number of previous Women's World Cup appearances: 4
Hosted the Women's World Cup: never
1991: First round
1995: First round
1999: Bronze medal
2003: Quarter-finals
