For 85 minutes, New Zealand executed their strategy almost to perfection, pressing Brazil’s playmakers in midfield with numbers to reduce their influence and playing quickly when in possession to get through Brazil’s tight man-marking system before stretching a three-women defence in wide areas.
“We’re really happy with how the girls executed the plan and that’s part of the disappointment,” New Zealand coach Tony Readings said. “You have a game plan, you execute it and it works but you still don’t get the result you need so it’s very difficult for us.
“It feels pretty similar to the last game really. It was a game that we’re devastated not to take something out of, probably even more so than the last.
“Brazil didn’t really threaten us too much in the match. We defended brilliantly, we attacked well at times and definitely deserved at least a point so to come away with nothing we like we’ve been robbed.
“We’re really proud of the players’ commitment and effort because they left everything on the pitch.”
Fullback Ria Percival typified the defensive effort with an example of keeping five-times FIFA Player of the Year Marta quiet that other teams may well look to in the knockout stages.
She was ably supported on the opposite flank by Ali Riley when Marta tried her luck down the opposite flank and collectively the Ferns restricted Brazil mainly to long-range efforts.
“It’s hard to single players out when the team has played like that because there are a lot of players who have done a lot of work that doesn’t get noticed. There are a lot of unsung heroes in there, especially in midfield where players are working and closing down. If you don’t do that collectively then a team like Brazil will open you up but they didn’t really do that today.”
Eventually a free kick conceded on the edge of the area was partially cleared before Cristiane’s header looped into the net to secure Brazil’s passage to the second round. Great Britain joined them in the quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over New Zealand’s next opponents Cameroon.
New Zealand must now beat the Africans in Coventry on Tuesday, probably by a few goals, and hope that one result from either of the other two groups goes their way to qualify as one of two best third-placed teams.
“It’s going to be a challenge to pick the players up for the next game but we’ll hope that results go our way today and we live to fight another day. Bring on Cameroon and we’ll look for three points in that match.”
The men’s Olympic Football Tournament continues tonight with New Zealand facing Egypt at Manchester’s iconic Old Trafford ground.
Women’s Olympic Football Tournament
New Zealand: 0
Brazil: 1 (CHRISTIANE 85’)
Halftime: 0-0
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
July 28, 2012
New Zealand: 1-Jenny BINDON (GK), 2-Ria PERCIVAL, 4-Katie HOYLE, 5-Abby ERCEG, 6-Rebecca SMITH (captain), 7-Ali RILEY, 8-Hayley MOORWOOD (11-Kirsty YALLOP 77’), 9-Amber HEARN, 10-Sarah GREGORIUS, 12-Betsy HASSETT (16-Annalie LONGO 87’), 17-Hannah WILKINSON (13-Rosie WHITE 81’)
Substitutes not used: 3-Anna GREEN, 14-Kristy HILL, 15-Rebekah STOTT, 18-Rebecca ROLLS (GK)
Cautions: 4-Katie HOYLE 75’, 17-Hannah WILKINSON 75’
Coach: Tony READINGS
Brazil: 1-ANDREIA (GK), 2-FABIANA (3-DAIANE 88’), 5-ERIKA, 6-MAURINE, 7-ESTER, 8-FORMIGA, 10-MARTA (captain), 11-CRISTIANE, 13-FRANCIELLE (9-THAIS GUEDES 58’), 14-BRUNA, 16-RENATA COSTA
Substitutes not used: 4-ALINE, 12-ROSANA, 15-DANIELLE, 17-GRAZIELLE, 18-BARBARA (GK)
Cautions: 1-ANDREIA 90+3’
Coach: Jorge BARCELLOS
For all schedule and results visit www.london2012.com
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

Share