Two-time World Cup champions the United States, the only team in the top three for each of the FIFA women's event, will play all out to defend the record here on Sunday in the third-place playoff against Norway.
It is a bronze-medal game between two former champions, the United States (1991, 1999) and Norway (1995). Norway's emphasis on possession football set to clash with the Americans' more direct style of play.
Both the teams suffered a heavy loss in the semifinals. The Americans were humiliated by the Marta-led Brazilians 4-0, which ended their 51-game unbeaten run in the world arena. The Norwegians were trounced by the Prinz-led Germans 3-0, although they even dominated the first 35 minutes.
US coach Greg Ryan said, "The Brazil game is over. We will now move on to the game against Norway, which is another very important match for this team."
"This team will come together, and sometimes opposition and frustration can make a team stronger," he added.
Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen said, "I was very pleased with the first half against Germany, and we must learn from the second half."
"There is a big difference between third and fourth place. We had a goal to fight for the medals, so we have to work very hard to get the team ready for Sunday," he noted.
It is the first time for a North American team to take on a European side in the third-place playoff in FIFA Women's World Cup history.
So far, the United States will be without star midfielder Shannon Boxx who was red-carded against Brazil. Meanwhile, American No. 1 goalkeeper Hope Solo had publicly criticized Ryan for dropping her for the semifinal.
For Norway, Lene Mykjaland developed glandular fever. The 20-year-old had been unwell since her side's last group match and, having been isolated from the squad and sent to Beijing for diagnosis. She has now been sent home and could miss the rest of the season.
Gunhild Folstad twisted her left knee in the semifinal against Germany but the player herself has said that she is confident of playing her part.
The two sides have met each other 40 times. The United States earned 20 wins and two draws.
The Americans hold the slightest of edges in World Cup events, with victories in 1991 and 2003.
Having lost out on bronze to Brazil in 1999, Norway also start at a statistical disadvantage in terms of their record in third-place matches, with the US having won both their previous matches at this stage: in 1995 against China and in 2003 against Canada.
Source: Xinhua
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