Match commentary: Brasil v. Germany, Olympic women’s football openers

August 6, 2008

0′ It’s 2AM in California. I am caffeinated, have the squad lists up so I might be able to mention names and look somewhat educated about women’s football, and am ready to commentate. I’m watching EuroSport live in German, so I can’t understand a thing. The crowd sounds healthily loud; the stadium is nearly full of Brasilians, Germans, and Chinese fans.

The two World Cup finalists are ready to take battle again. Adding to the drama is the battle between Germany’s Birgit Prinz and Brasil’s Marta, who have faced off not only on the international stage but in European club competition. Birgit ousted Marta again as her club team Frankfurt beat Marta’s Umea 4-3 over two legs in the Champions League final.
Brasil starting lineup

Goalkeepers: Andreia Suntaque

Defenders: Andreia Rosa, Simone Jatoba, Tania Maranhao, Renata Costa, Rosana

Midfielders: Maycon, Daniela Alves, Formiga

Forwards: Marta, Cristiane

German lineup
Goalkeeper: Nadine Angerer

Defenders: Kerstin Stegemann, Ariane Hingst, Annike Krahn

Midfielders: Renate Lingor, Melanie Behringer, Linda Bresonik, Simone Laudehr, Kerstin Garefrekes

Forwards: Birgit Prinz, Sandra Smisek

10′ A burst of speed and brilliance allows Marta to beautifully cross and connect with Cristiane, but she heads it over the crossbar.

15′ It’s truly an honour to watch Marta play.

23′ Germany wins the ball back from a corner. The ball is crossed in, but Sandra Smisek’s header hits the crossbar.

26′ Germany is awarded a free kick to the left of the box. It is taken slightly wide and Brasil’s number one collects it with ease.

27′ Canada just scored against Argentina in Group E. I don’t know much about the Argentine women’s national team, but they got a World Cup record 11 goals scored against them by Germany in 2007, so they can’t be the best squad in the world. Looking forward to more goals in that match… most likely, they will be conceded by Argentina.

30′ A German corner results in a shot on goal, but again the ball is collected confidently by Basilian keeper Andréia.

31′ A free kick, conceded by Brasil’s captain Aline, floated dangerously about the goal but Andréia again confidently caught it. Wonderful work by the Brasilian keeper.

32′ Germany’s organization is showing itself now more than ever, and rivaling the Brasilian’s creativity and flair. If Sandra Smisek were not ruled offsides, she would have surely scored.

35′ In other news, New Zealand is 1-0 against Japan in Group G. The Japanese fans are polite enough even to clap at the goal! What sportsmanship.

36′ Ronaldinho, Pato, Diego, Anderson, and the rest of the men’s Brasil squad are watching the match! Ronaldinho looks thoroughly interested.

40′ A Brasilian defensive error results in a shot from just inside the box by Birgit Prinz, but it’s slightly wide. Had that been a few more inches left, it would have been a goal, as Andréia was nowhere near the far post.

45′ A German corner is headed out behind the goal. Brasil deals with Germany’s second corner well and counter-attacks, but the organized German defense somehow stops Marta.

0-0 at the half. After some initial Brasilian attacking, and truly amazing stuff from Marta, Germany looks the stronger side. Still, both teams have had their chances in what has been an exciting match thus far that the 0-0 scoreline does not reflect.

47′ Prinz has a chance from an awkward angle but hits it quite a bit over the bar.

52′ Daniela collides with German keeper Nadine Angerer (who catches it easily). Daniela gives Angerer a kick afterwards, which the keeper isn’t happy about, but the ref didn’t noticed and the Brasilian attacking midifelder isn’t punished.

55′ After some dangerous moments at the back, Brasil looks the more attacking side as of now. A dangerous run by Marta is stopped when closed down inside the box. Marta was kicked while down, almost as an afterthought by a German defender, but no penalty is given.

59′ More unease by the Brasilian goal. Second time today that Brasil has barely gotten the ball safely back into their own feet.

61′ Prinz shows amazing vision as she feeds the ball forward, while she herself is falling, to 8

61′ Brasil strikes back almost immediately. Cristiane makes some space for her just outside the box, outfoxing two German defenders, but strikes it wide.

62′ A Brasilian corner is awarded and a header looks sure to go in… but no! It’s hit the goalpost, and then is punched out by Angerer.

63′ The game is going back and forth between creative Brasilian magic and solid German teamwork. All of this, however, is fast paced, wonderful stuff.

68′ A truly amazing cross by the outside of Cristiane’s boot falls in front of Daniela. Daniela loses the ball but leaves plenty of space for the sprinting Marta to strike and… hit it barely wide. That looked a sure goal. Marta can’t believe it.

69′ A penalty has been awarded to Japan, now. Japan 1-2 New Zealand, in Group G’s opener.

75′ A string of brilliant passing from four of Brasil’s attacking players, but their play is put to stop before a shot could be put out..

77′ Amazing speedy run by German sub Fatmire Bajramaj, but her cross leads to nothing.

79′ Marta gets her head on a goalkick, but she stumbles as the German defense closes in on her from both sides.

80′ Cristiane is subbed out for Pretinha. Cristiane had a good match, but let’s see what energy Pretinha can bring on, as we wait for a goal in this exciting, but unlucky match. There’s been, what, 5 posts hit? 10 near misses?

82′ Marta brings on an attack and cleverly finds a teammate by the left corner flag. The cross is cleared behind the goal, it’s a Brasil corner.

84′ A great save from Angerer is the only thing that stood between Marta and scoring from a powerful half-volley.

85′ Marta snatches a ball from Germany’s midfield to save her own team from attack, and manages to outrun four of the opposition. German keeper Angerer’s knee gets in the way and Marta’s shot is deflected wide.

86′ Meanwhile, Japan has equalized against New Zealand! Japan 2-2 New Zealand.

90+2′ That’s it! But the 0-0 scoreline truly doesn’t do this match justice. With a little more luck for both sides, the game could easily have been 4-4.

Marta looks disappointed. She’ll have to wait for the knock out stages, perhaps, to get her revenge. For now, she’ll have to be satisfied with a point in what will likely be the most difficult game for Brasil in the group stages.

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