- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Sweden’s Defensive Tactics Sink Brazil and Pave Path to Gold Medal
- Updated: August 17, 2016
Football is known as the beautiful game, but on Tuesday evening, Sweden’s women’s national team proved that beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder as they booked a place in the final of the Rio 2016 women’s football tournament.
Looking at the statistics, you would be surprised to see that the first semi-final, played in the famous Maracana, went to penalties. Over the course of the game, Brazil, the host nation and favourites, had 65 percent of possession, 33 shots on goal and 10 on target.
Sweden manager Pia Sundhage didn’t pull any punches, lining her team up exactly the same way she did against the USA.
While I respect the tactics & execution, I don’t know if I am more upset SWE style won again or that I have to watch it once more #BRAvSWE
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 16, 2016
The game plan was to hold off the waves of yellow attacks and try to steal a goal on the break. They did have their chances, including one for Lotta Schelin as early as the eighth minute.
Nilla Fischer hit her with a long-range pass over the top; the first touch was immaculate, but she couldn’t chip Brazil keeper Barbara with her second.
Stina Blackstenius started the game up front after her excellent substitute performance against the USA, with Schelin playing in the midfield as Sundhage tried to limit the space allowed to the Brazilians.
The Scandinavians had learned their lesson from the 5-1 group-stage defeat. Sundhage is too experienced to fall for the same mistakes twice.
Criticised by players and fans alike, there is little chance she will be worried about the doubters, especially when her defensive tactics earned her team a place in the gold-medal match.
Brazil had their chances; with 33 shots, that’s no surprise. Debinha had a couple. firing over the bar once and seeing a header saved after Tamires’ cross. It was Lisa Dahlkvist who went closest for the hosts, very nearly heading Marta’s corner kick into her own net.
Despite all the pressure, it was Sweden that had the best chances in both the second half and extra time.
Blackstenius, on target against the USA, found herself free in the penalty area but could only fire her shot straight at Barbara. With the game ending 0-0, it was Schelin who went closest after the full-time break, the former Lyon star heading Kosovare Asllani’s corner just wide of the far post.
Penalties would decide the game, the same method that saw these two countries advance from the quarter-finals.
Just like against Australia, Brazil blinked first, but this time, it was Cristiane who missed, not Marta. Once again, Barbara saved the hosts, stopping Asllani’s spot-kick to keep the scores level.
Andressinha would miss …
continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com
