Marta takes center stage at World Cup
Updated: 2007-09-19 18:47
HANGZHOU, China - New Zealand failed, China failed and now it's Denmark's turn to try to contain Brazilian scoring star Marta.
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She shares the scoring lead in the women's World Cup, and will lead Brazil against the Danes on Thursday in the final match of Group D, with Denmark needing possibly a large win to advance to the quarterfinals.
That may be difficult considering the way FIFA player of the year Marta has been tearing up defenses with her running, passing and shooting.
She scored twice against New Zealand and created two others in a 5-0 win, and also scored both goals in a 2-0 victory against hosts China.
Marta, along with fellow striker Cristiane and midfielder Daniela, plays flashy soccer, opening up defenses with backheel passes and attacking with one-on-one superiority.
"We have been practicing a little about playing Brazil, but we will focus on playing our own game," said Denmark coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller.
But he said more attention would have to be paid to Marta.
"She is a kind of player you cannot give any space to," said Heiner-Moller, who will sit out the game after being suspended by FIFA for coming into "physical contact" with a referee during the opening match against China.
Brazilian coach Jorge Barcellos said Marta may come off at halftime depending on how the game was going, but Heiner-Moller said that would not change things much.
"I think when one of the great players comes off, they are just sending one more in. So no matter who we are playing, it's going to be a tough match," he said.
Marta's four goals from two games puts her at top of the scoring list with England's Kelly Smith and Germany's Birgit Prinz, Denmark facing an uphill battle to reach the quarterfinals. The Danes can advance if they beat Brazil and China wins by fewer than five goals. A draw will also do if China loses to New Zealand, the weakest team in Group D.
Brazil has scored nine goals and allowed none in winning its first two games in the group.
If Brazil tops Group D, it will probably face Australia or Canada in the quarterfinals in Tianjin on September 23. Those two teams play each other in the final group game with Australia needing only a draw to grab second place in Group C.
If Denmark were to edge by China and finish second in the group, it would play the winner of Group C likely Norway on September 23 in Wuhan.
The final is September 30 in Shanghai.
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