USL at the Women’s World Cup >>

Sunday, September 23, 2007

In another clash of countries led by W-League players, Brazil came out on top against the surprise Australian squad in the most thrilling match of the round while Norway moved on from the other Quarterfinal in a tight match to round out the Semifinal field.

QUARTERFINAL: Brazil 3 :: 2 Australia

Perhaps overshadowed by her teammates at forward, New Jersey Wildcat and Jersey Sky Blue star from the past two seasons Formiga stole a little bit of the limelight Sunday with a fantastic game-opening strike four minutes into the semifinal match to give Brazil the lead. A penalty kick from Marta made it 2-0 in the 23rd, but the Australians, who had made a habit of comebacks, had one more up their sleeve.

Despite losing former W-Leaguer and captain Cheryl Salisbury (Memphis) to injury 20 minutes in, the Matildas forged ahead defiantly behind the leadership of Joanne Peters (Charlotte) and Thea Slatyer (Washington). Lisa DeVanna cut the lead in half in the 36th minute and Lauren Colthorpe headed home a long cross from the flank in the 68th minute to put the game on level terms, sending the Australian sideline into a frenzy.

The Matildas hearts would be broken, however, a mere seven minutes later when Christiane put a shot from the edge of the box into the back of the net for the game-winner.

Australia Full Report [+]         FIFA Full Report [+] 
 

QUARTERFINAL: Norway 1 :: 0 China

While the other side of the bracket featured teams with significant numbers of W-League players on each of the four teams, Norway featured the lone W-League alum on their side in Siri Nordby (Tampa Bay). With Nordy, who had an assist in her two previous appearances, on the bench Norway went on to narrowly get past the hosts on a 32nd minute goal from Isabell Herlovsen.

FIFA Full Report [+]