Marta in tears as Sweden send Brazil packing

Olympic women soccer

AFP, RIO DE JANEIRO: Sweden ended a disconsolate Marta’s dreams of guiding Brazil’s women to a first Olympic football gold medal Tuesday with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win to book their place in Friday’s gold medal match.
Brazil had thrashed the Swedes 5-1 in the group stages just 10 days ago, but were held to a third consecutive 0-0 draw and, as in their quarter-final win over Australia, forced to go through the agony of penalties.
Unlike against the Aussies, five-time World Player of the Year Marta did convert from the spot, but was reduced to tears as her ambition of capping a glorious career by finally winning a major international title fell short of the final.
“There is no way to describe the feeling of frustration,” said Brazil coach Vadao.
Marta, who has played her club football in Sweden for the past four years, was consoled by the Swedish players, whilst a huge crowd in excess of 70,000 at the iconic Maracana stadium gave their defeated team a huge ovation.
Cristiane, the Olympics’ all-time top scorer, and Andressa saw spot-kicks saved by Hedvig Lindahl after neither side could score a goal in 120 minutes.
Lisa Dahlkvist converted the winning penalty to secure a place in the final and Sweden’s first women’s football Olympic medal. Germany face Canada later in Belo Horizonte in the other semi-final.
It was just the second time that Brazil’s women had played at the iconic Maracana and Vadao hopes the momentum built-up for the women’s version of the game in football-mad Brazil is not halted by the disappointment.
“This is a glorious moment for women’s football. It is everybody’s dream to play here,” added Vadao.
“It is full of tradition. It is a cultural thing in Brazil, it is a symbol. Maracana means Brazil and Brazil means football. It is quite a moment and I am just sorry we didn’t make it to the final.”
By contrast, there was delight for Sweden coach Pia Sundhage, who now has the chance to win a third straight gold medal after leading the USA to victory in 2008 and 2012.
“It is very emotional. I have been in China and London in Olympic finals, but with a team everyone expected to do well.
“The road we have taken has been different, a wonderful trip with one or two upsets.”
Sweden’s hero Lindahl described the baking sun in Salvador during the Scandinavians’ shock quarter-final win over three-time defending gold medallists the United States on penalties as “her enemy”.
Lindahl suffers from vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of skin to lose their pigment, making the skin particularly sensitive in the sun.

Marta in tears as Sweden send Brazil packing

Olympic women soccer

AFP, RIO DE JANEIRO: Sweden ended a disconsolate Martas dreams of guiding Brazils women to a first Olympic football gold medal Tuesday with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win to book their place in Fridays gold medal match. Brazil had thrashed the Swedes 5-1 in the group stages just 10 days ago, but were held to a third consecutive 0-0 draw and, as in their quarter-final win over Australia, forced to go through the agony of penalties. Unlike against the Aussies, five-time World Player of the Year Marta did convert from the spot, but was reduced to tears as her ambition of capping a glorious career by finally winning a major international title fell short of the final. There is no way to describe the feeling of frustration, said Brazil coach Vadao. Marta, who has played her club football in Sweden for the past four years, was consoled by the Swedish players, whilst a huge crowd in excess of 70,000 at the iconic Maracana stadium gave their defeated team a huge ovation. Cristiane, the Olympics all-time top scorer, and Andressa saw spot-kicks saved by Hedvig Lindahl after neither side could score a goal in 120 minutes. Lisa Dahlkvist converted the winning penalty to secure a place in the final and Swedens first womens football Olympic medal. Germany face Canada later in Belo Horizonte in the other semi-final. It was just the second time that Brazils women had played at the iconic Maracana and Vadao hopes the momentum built-up for the womens version of the game in football-mad Brazil is not halted by the disappointment. This is a glorious moment for womens football. It is everybodys dream to play here, added Vadao. It is full of tradition. It is a cultural thing in Brazil, it is a symbol. Maracana means Brazil and Brazil means football. It is quite a moment and I am just sorry we didnt make it to the final. By contrast, there was delight for Sweden coach Pia Sundhage, who now has the chance to win a third straight gold medal after leading the USA to victory in 2008 and 2012. It is very emotional. I have been in China and London in Olympic finals, but with a team everyone expected to do well. The road we have taken has been different, a wonderful trip with one or two upsets. Swedens hero Lindahl described the baking sun in Salvador during the Scandinavians shock quarter-final win over three-time defending gold medallists the United States on penalties as her enemy. Lindahl suffers from vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of skin to lose their pigment, making the skin particularly sensitive in the sun.