The Brazil Women’s Olympic team’s ambitions of a Gold medal on home soil have reached a surprise early end at the semi-final stage. After playing out a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes against Sweden, a decisive miss from five-time World Player of the Year Marta saw them fall to a 4-3 loss in the penalty shootout, denying them the chance to reach their third Olympic final and their first Olympic Gold.
“We had to score in normal time. Penalty shootouts are always a lottery. It was our job to do that and we cannot gloss over that,” said a disappointed Marta, before adding, “Now we have to fight to earn Bronze and we have to work hard for that.” Fellow Brazilian Cristiane stated that it was a “tough loss to take when we had been in control of the game. The ball just would not go in.”
Lisa Dahlkvist converted the winning spot kick, after her teammate Hedvig Lindahl had saved Andressa’s effort. By reaching the final, the Swedish women have confirmed their standing as their nation’s first Olympic medallists in football.
Between them and the prospect of a Gold medal are Germany, who beat Canada 2-0 in the day’s later semi-final clash. The final will be in Rio de Janeiro on Friday.
The Brazil Women’s Olympic team’s ambitions of a Gold medal on home soil have reached a surprise early end at the semi-final stage. After playing out a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes against Sweden, a decisive miss from five-time World Player of the Year Marta saw them fall to a 4-3 loss in the penalty shootout, denying them the chance to reach their third Olympic final and their first Olympic Gold.
“We had to score in normal time. Penalty shootouts are always a lottery. It was our job to do that and we cannot gloss over that,” said a disappointed Marta, before adding, “Now we have to fight to earn Bronze and we have to work hard for that.” Fellow Brazilian Cristiane stated that it was a “tough loss to take when we had been in control of the game. The ball just would not go in.”
Lisa Dahlkvist converted the winning spot kick, after her teammate Hedvig Lindahl had saved Andressa’s effort. By reaching the final, the Swedish women have confirmed their standing as their nation’s first Olympic medallists in football.
Between them and the prospect of a Gold medal are Germany, who beat Canada 2-0 in the day’s later semi-final clash. The final will be in Rio de Janeiro on Friday.
