Seven of the eight Women’s World Cup quarterfinalists join host Australia for the second Olympic women’s soccer tournament, and at least one world power won’t be in the running for a medal. June’s draw left the world’s top three teams – the United States, China and Norway – battling in Group F for two semifinal berths. Brazil and Germany appear the class of Group E. The gap between the Americans and the rest of the world narrows, but until the Yanks are knocked off when it counts, there’s no reason to believe that will happen. A look at the U.S. opposition, in order of quality: 1. Norway. Injuries limited the Norwegians last summer, but strong preparations and captain Gro Espeseth’s return from injury has them thinking gold in 2000. Espeseth is Norway’s defensive leader, especially with Linda Medalen sidelined with a knee injury, and she’s one of four players remaining from the ’95 WWC champs. The others: dominant playmaker Hege Riise, superb goalkeeper Bente Nordby and goal-savvy Marianne Pettersen. Coach Per-Mathias Hogmo is slowly converting the Norwegians from their traditional long-ball game toward a possession-oriented style; Riise is critical to its success. Tall forward Ann Kristin Aarones, who failed to make the team after a post-’99 sabbatical, could be missed. Norway, at 14-12-2, is the only team with a winning record against the United States. They’ll meet Sept. 14. A second meeting, in the final two weeks later, would not surprise. 2. China. The extraordinarily gifted Chinese captured silver medals in the Atlanta Games and at last year’s WWC, falling to the United States in both finals. Coach Ma Yuanan has reacted by employing a far more direct, physical style of play. If Sun Wen and the rest of the “Steel Roses” can mesh this with their quick, technically impressive attacking game, gold may finally be theirs. Results have been mixed, with two shutout losses to Norway and ties with Canada and (twice) Australia. They must be at their best to survive in Group F, and Sun – Golden Ball winner last summer – has been slowed by a knee injury and Liu Ying by a rib ailment. The most crucial players have been around awhile. Sun, playmaker Liu Ailing and central defender Wen Lirong are veterans of the ’91 WWC. Goalkeeper Gao Hong, wing-defender Wang Liping, winger Zhao Lihong and forward Jin Yan also impressed in ’99.
Medal for Samba Queens?
3. Brazil. This is the group to fear in the future – no team has advanced as far in the ’90s as the Samba Queens, who finished ninth the first two WWCs, moved up to fourth at the Atlanta Games and finished third a year ago. They’re capable of some magical stuff, but iffy defense could prove costly. Sissi, Golden Boot and Silver Ball winner at the ’99 WWC, remains the key to Brazil’s vibrant attack, a playmaker with vision and a magical left foot. The forward line features Pretinha, veteran of all three WWCs and the ’96 Olympics, and Roseli, who missed last summer with a broken leg. Germany, especially, will offer a challenge in group play, but a silver or bronze medal seems appropriate. 4. Germany. This is a veteran squad renowned for its organization and outstanding defending, so how did China and Norway fire in seven during July’s DFB Jubilee? Coach Tina Theune-Meyer wants to believe it was an aberration. The Germans’ attack, despite the presence of Inka Grings and Birgit Prinz up top, is inconsistent. Deep-lying playmaker Bettina Wiegmann and central defender Doris Fitschen, the last survivors from the 1991 Women’s World Cup, remain the pillars in Theune-Meyer’s lineup. The Germans figure to fight Brazil for the top spot in Group E, then take their chances with a Group F survivor. Gold is possible, but silver, bronze – or nothing – is likelier.
Goal-savvy Marianne Pettersen is one of four veterans from Norway’s 1995 Women’s World Cup championship team.
5. Sweden. A medal may be out of reach for the Swedes, who would be ecstatic getting past Brazil or Germany and into the semifinals. Less wouldn’t devastate: Coach Marika Domanski Lyfors is working for the future, and a dozen players on her roster are 23 or younger – including the top two forwards, Victoria Svensson and Hanna Ljungberg. Nearly everyone returns from the squad that last summer scraped into the Olympics. Pivotal are midfielders Malin Andersson and Kristin Bengtsson and goalkeeper Ulrika Karlsson.
Falcons doomed from outset
6. Nigeria. These Falcons aren’t Super, no matter their moniker, but they’re making huge strides, and their speed, athleticism and physical play could cause their foes problems. Not enough, ultimately – in this tournament’s Group of Death, Nigeria is the closest thing to a corpse. It’s a veteran group, with four players – goalkeeper Ann Chiejine, forward Rita Nwadike and influential midfielders Florence Omagbemi and Nkiru Okosieme – who have been with the team since it debuted a decade ago. Forwards Mercy Akide and Patience Avre are dangerous; defense remains a weakness. 7. Australia. The Matildas were embarrassed by their showing last summer, and they’re anxious to win over the home fans. Chris Tanzey, Greg Brown’s assistant in ’99, took over after the Aussies finished 11th in the WWC and axed eight players. He’s got a young team, with six players born in the ’80s, led by veteran stalwarts Julie Murray, Anissa Tann-Darby, Alison Forman, Sharon Black and Cheryl Salisbury. The Matildas have posted some impressive results in 2000. The Aussies topped the host Chinese on penalty kicks in mid-August, and Tanzey called it Australia’s greatest result. They won’t top it here. by Soccer America senior editor Scott French.
Showdowns
USA-Norway
1991 World CupUSA 2 Norway 1
1995 World Cup
Norway 1 USA 0
1996 Olympics
USA 2 Norway 1
USA-China
1995 World CupUSA 3 China 3
USA 2 China 0
1996 Olympics
USA 0 China 0
USA 2 China 1
1999 World Cup
USA 0 China 0
(USA wins 5-4 on penalties)
USA-Brazil
1991 World CupUSA 5 Brazil 0
1999 World Cup
USA 2 Brazil 0
USA-Germany
1991 World CupUSA 5 Germany 2
1999 World Cup
USA 3 Germany 2
USA-Sweden
1991 World CupUSA 3 Sweden 2
1996 Olympics
USA 2 Sweden 1
USA-Nigeria
1999 World CupUSA 7 Nigeria 1
USA-Australia
1995 World CupUSA 4 Australia 1