FIFA Women's World Cup hosts China are set to clash with Athens Olympics runners-up Brazil here on Saturday night in their second Group D match.
China upset European giant Denmark 3-2 on a late winning goal on Wednesday three hours after Brazil, one of the title favorites, whitewashed underdogs New Zealand 5-0.
The winner of the China-Denmark duel will definitely book a quarterfinal berth. A tie will keep both in advantage before taking on their last opponents in the group.
According to the latest FIFA women's ranking in June, Denmark stood at sixth, Brazil at eighth, China 11th and New Zealand 23rd.
Getting one point will be acceptable for China, who set a target of entering top four on home soil, as they are most likely to beat the Kiwis, who lost all their World Cup matches so far, in the last round.
However, Brazil coach Jorge Barcellos said that his team would play all out to beat China through consistent quick-pace attacks.
"We won't be satisfied with a tie. We need a win," Barcellos said.
Brazil's strength mainly comes from Marta, 21, who won the FIFA Women's World Player of 2006 award. The youngster has also taken two Pan-American Games gold medals besides an Olympic silver medal at the Athens. After joining Sweden side Umea in 2004, Marta lifted UEFA Cup with the club.
As the leader of the Brazilian team, Marta boasts amazing dribbling skills which can break any defences. And her goalscoring instinct, shooting ability and unselfish passing have made her a complete player.
Although Marta faced fierce tackles from the Kiwis on Wednesday, she scored twice in the opening game and her dribbling skill dazzled the world.
Besides Marta, shining Brazilian strikers Cristiane Rozeira, midfielders Daniela and Renata Costa also showed their best form in the 5-0 clean sweep. Cristiane, the top goalscorer in World Cup 2007 qualifying with 12 goals, was named the Player of the Match.
China also showed a stunning best form in their opening game. Ma Xiaoxu, China's new No.10, regained her form to bolster the team greatly.
Ma shone last year with Golden Ball and Golden Shoe at FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and the AFC Women's Player of the Year award. But she failed to score for the Chinese national team for quite a long time.
Despite no scoring on Wednesday, Ma was named the Player of the Match through her quick-pace dribbling and never-say-die spirit on the pitch.
China and Brazil have crossed swords seven times in the past, with honors even after two wins apiece and three draws. The pair played out a classic in the semi-finals of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament at Atlanta 1996, when China managed a hard-fought 3-2 victory.
"Brazil's strength is undeniable. Their attacking formation is superb, and they have a number of great players," said China coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors.
"However, every team has its weak points, and it's our job to capitalise on them during the course of the match and win the game," said the Swede, who led Sweden to 2003 World Cup runners-up and took over the Chinese side in March this year.
Source: Xinhua
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