Women’s World Cup Preview – Group E

With the FIFA Women’s World Cup beginning tonight, we look to the teams in Group E; Which players could shine and help their nation to progress through to the Knockout stages and beyond.

 

BRAZIL – 13/2

Brazil claimed their ticket to their seventh world cup appearance by winning their sixth Copa America Femenina title even without the 5 time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, Marta.

Supporting Marta, who has been a star of women’s football for the last decade, will be a clutch of new faces and raft of seasoned performers in fellow striker Christine, goalkeeper Andreia and midfielder Formiga. Brazil will look to use dead-ball situations and a high-octane pressing game with a high defensive line to full effect as they did in their latest Copa America triumph as they scored 62 goals and just 3 conceded.

Brazil coach Oswaldo Alvarez, better know as Vadao, took charge of the As Canarinhas in April 2014 and has 20 years of experience in the men’s game and unearthed the talents of Rivaldo and Kaka.

The Brazilians have surprisingly never won the World Cup in their 6 previous attempts after being eliminated the the group stages in both 1991 and 1995, finishing in 3rd place in 1999 and Quarter-final exits in 2003 and 2011. Brazil’s best chance of getting their hands on the trophy came in 2007 but had to settle for runners-up after losing to Germany 2-0 in the Final.

ONE TO WATCH – MARTA

29 year old Marta Vieira da Silva, more commonly know as Marta, has been named FIFA World Player of the Year five consecutive times between 2006 and 2010 and was also nominated for the first ever BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award losing out to Nigeria’s Asisat Ohsoala. She currently tops the all–time Women’s World Cup goalscorer list alongside Germany Legend Birgit Prinz. The 5 ft 4 forward was only 14 when she was discovered by the well-known Brazilian female coach, Helena Pacheco. She was compared, by the Brazilian fans, with Brazilian great Pelé, being called “Pelé with skirts.” Even Pelé himself agreed with the comparison.

FIXTURES

09 JUNE     00:00     KOREA REPUBLIC          Olympic Stadium, Montreal

13 JUNE      21:00      SPAIN                                 Olympic Stadium, Montreal

17 JUNE      00:00     COSTA RICA                     Moncton Stadium, Moncton