Football: Marta lifts Brazil over Norway

BOCHUM: Star forward Marta inspired Brazil to a 3-0 victory over Norway to reach the quarter-finals of the women’s World Cup as Australia stayed in the hunt with a 3-2 win over Equatorial Guinea. “Thank God Marta is Brazilian. Thank God she is part of our squad,” said coach Kleiton Lima as the five-time world player of the year scored two goals and set up Rosana for a third. Brazil have six points from two games to head the group with 1995 winners Norway and Australia, who are both on three points, meeting in the final group match with the winner joining the South Americans in the last eight. Brazil join France and Germany, who have already reached the knock-out round from Group A.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2011.