Olympics 2012: Team GB vs Brazil 1-0: Hope Powell's Girls Did Us Proud!
How far can the Woman's Team GB go at the Olympics?
In the wake of the brilliant Great British Womens teams superb 1-0 win over renowned soccer superstars Brazil the question on everyones mind has to be, how far can this team go? In front of a record for attendance for womens international football, the Wembley crowd were privy to national best kept secret, the talent on display in team GBs womens football. Haven gotten through the qualifiers with a 100% record, winning all their games without a goal being scored against them. The main talking point of the game happened within the first 2 minuets, Arsenal defender Steph Houghton scored her third goal of the tournament skilfully sided stepping her way around the Brazilian goal keeper before pristinely placing the ball into the goal. This added to an already electric atmosphere from the 70,000 who were lucky enough to have tickets. Brazil responded almost immediately, when Cristiane Rozeira de Souza Silva managed to wriggle free 25-yards from goal before slipping the ball the wrong side of the safe handed Karen Bardsleys post. Jorge Barcellos side had a short window where they commanded play and they were dreadfully unfortunate not to level the score moments later when Alex Scott inadvertently headed a looping cross against her own upright with Bardsley stranded. Great Brittans shooting super star Kelly Smith, not to be outdone sprung to life with a superbly executed volley, which flew past the far post after Jill Scott had nodded down Houghtons pin-point diagonal ball. In case the audience we beginning to feel that the technically brilliant and skilful play was lacking drama, Aluko, who had been causing havoc to the Brazilians defence with her lighting fast pace was cynically tripped by Francielle Manoel Alberto in the penalty area. Unfortunately Kelly Smith could only watch in horror as her less than challenging penalty was turned away by Keeper Andreia. Team GB were almost immediately made to pay for their captains wastefulness from the spot, when Marta skipped by Scott and drilled a powerful low effort at the feet of Bardsley. Soon after Houghton was forced to show her defensive capabilities with a superb sliding challenge in the penalty box to thwart the onrushing Daiane. At full time a well deserved jubilation, on and off the pitch, was a sight to behold. There is nothing to fault as the GB girls from the first whistle to the last had given their all, even though they had already qualified for the next round. This historical victory has played a major benefit in deciding their next opponents allowing them to side skip champions Japan and take on the Canadians in the quarter finals. Never the less, this was a incredibly professional performance that captured the essence of this talented team. Hope Powell's girls did us proud! The two questions I have to ask is, how far can go? They've done incredible today and throughout the tournament, but is it to soon to talk of medals? Equally as important to me is, why do Manchester United not have a womens team? Please please please someone inform the board of directors at Old Trafford that they really are missing out on representation in a league with quality football.