BRAZIL WOMEN GET SEMIFINAL TICKET

Brazil got the chance to continue into the semi finals after they won a penalty shootout against the Matildas of Australia.

Brazil enjoyed a great game, having the better of the match. Australia were the ones to have a real chance at getting a goal when Chloe Logarno fired a long rage effort slightly above the cross bar in the 86th minute.

It was difficult for the Matildas as they were jeered each time they had the ball by the capacity crowd. They were very nervous at the start of the game, but with time they settled in. Before the game they were the rank outsiders according to the Olympic odds and betting, with Brazil exected to win by fans, bookies and pundits alike.

Steph Catley missed one game in the group stages due to injury but returned to play for the Matildas. She picked up another one and was forced out of the game as early as the 20th minute for Logarzo but the Australian squad remained resolute throughout the encounter.

They played on the counter when they needed but sued long ball mostly due to their pace against the back line of the Brazilian team. They seemed to follow the instructions of their coach Alen Stajcic.

Brazil on other hand favoured a patient build up in the game. Debinha stole the ball two minutes to the end of the first half but her shot was over the bar. The goal keeper of the Matildas Lydia Williams had to stop a lot of efforts from the Brazilians. She even stopped a goal bound effort from Debinha after she had beaten Elise Kellond-Knight.

The game didn’t have a winner in regular time, and after the 30 minutes extra time, no winner emerged still. The game had to be settled using a penalty shootout. Both team scored their first few kicks but five-time world player of the year Martha lost Brazil’s fourth kick as Williams saved it.

Katrina Gorry had the chance to bury the game but the Brazilian goalkeeper Barbara saved it as well. After three more shots, Alanna Kennedy had her kick saved, sending Brazil to the semi final to play against Sweden.