Dixie Flatline
Moderator
- Jun 3, 2005
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- #876
Brazil are ranked 4 places ahead of us on the FIFA rankings so I don't agree that they're not that good, its just that we've beaten them the last 5 or 6 times we've played. They were pretty unlucky in the Olympics. They didn't lose a game in real time - drew with Netherlands (who made the last World Cup final) in their group and got knocked out in the Quarters on a penatly shoot out by the Gold Medallists Canada after a 0-0 draw.
I'll expect they'll start with a stronger side on Tuesday.
FIFA rankings Women's Football
Women's Ranking (fifa.com)
Brazil are in transition though. Their coach has cycled through a lot of players this year, according to Simon Hill on commentary (I can't recall the exact number but it was in excess of 30 players, from recollection). They left their two best players - Marta and Debinha - on the bench until late in the second half against the Matildas, whereas Gustavsson started what I reckon he thinks is his best XI (and I'm not knocking him for that).
It was a good win for the Matilas, but it was one that was sorely needed, and there were still signs that suggest that Gustavsson still has a lot to do if he is to deliver on the promise. Rightly or wrongly, I think that there is an expectation that the Matildas should be challenging for the World Cup in 2023, and I think there's a lot of work to be done to be even in the same conversation as the likes of USWNT, Sweden and even England (notwithstanding we beat them at the Olympics).