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SOUTH AMERICA-CONMEBOL December 19, 1998 Mexico defeats Argentina 3 - 2. Goals were scored by Maribel Dominguez (Mexico, 28 minute), Yanina Gaitan (penalty, Argentine 30 minute), Malvina Peralta (Argentine, 38 min.), Monica Gerardo (Mexico, 50 min.) and Evelyn Lopez (Mexico, 80 min.). Leiva (Mexico) received a red card at 83rd.minute. They played in Velez Sarsfield Stadium. December 3, 1998 When Mexico and Argentina meet in the first of their playoff games in La Bonbonera Stadium, Toluca, Mexico on December 11th, and again on December 19th in Argentina, they will be a study in contrasts. Argentina has taken the long term view in attempting to consolidate and improve women's soccer by appointing an experienced national team coach who lives and works in their country, in order to encourage participation in the game nationwide. Their preparation has included games against Uruguay and Peru, and two games against the U.S. National Team in California earlier this year. There are only a few changes from the team that finished second in the South American Championship in Mar del Plata. Mexico has apparently decided that winning is what is most important now and strengthened their national team with a variety of Mexican- American imports from the U.S. College game, even importing a new Head Coach (Leonardo Cuellar, head men's coach at Cal State Los Angeles) for the two playoff games. Other additions include former college players such as Laurie Hill (UC Santa Barbara All American),Monica Gerardo (All time Notre Dame leading scorer) and additional support will come from Lisa Nanez (Santa Clara captain), Linnea Quinones (San Diego State goalkeeper), and Gina Oceguera (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo forward). Although the move was compared before the CONCACAF
tournament as being similar to the technique used for the U.S. Men's National
Team it has a major difference. The United States has strong and well organized
boys' and men's soccer programs in place, unfortunately the girls and women
in Mexico have little financial or moral support nationally. WSW has watched both teams play and expect the playoff games to demonstrate contrasting styles. Argentina has a fluid action to its play, with skill and method. Mexico which has had different teams in most of its games, because of U.S. College academic and athletic conflicts, resembles the college game and is strong and physical but with little continuity or flow. Much of their success will depend on the level of refereeing. It is difficult to predict the outcome, although WSW would give Argentina the edge in a tightly controlled game. BRAZIL QUALIFIES FOR WWC '99, ARGENTINA PLAYS 2ND PLACE CONCACAF FOR WWC '99 SLOT Results of South American Qualifying Tournament for WWC '99 Third South American Women's Soccer Championship played in Plata del Mar, Argentina, March '98. Group A -- Group B Brazil Dominates South American Women's
Championship Brazil continued their dominance of South American women's soccer as they easily won the Third South American Championship, played in Mar del Plata, Argentina in March. They had captured the first two South American Championships, held in 1991 in Maringa and in 1995 in Uberlandiaboth in Brazil. This time they demonstrated their excellent technique outside their borders, overwhelming all their opponents. In addition to winning another title, they secured their place in Women's World Cup '99 and received the Fair Play Cup. The Brazilian squad had no difficulty making it through the first round, scoring 15 goals against Peru, 12 against Colombia, 14 against Venezuela and 7 against Chile while allowing only one goal (by Columbia). This extreme goal differential was accomplished by their high level of offensive play and effective ball control. Among the stars were forwards Pretinha, Katia and Roseli, all of them quick and strong with excellent shots. Roseli was the tournament's top scorer with 15 goals. The Brazilian team, coached by Jose Duarte, showed good defensive skill as well, despite having fewer challenges. In the course of all six games of the tournament only three goals were scored against them. The "Jogo Bonito" (pretty play) that is a trade mark of the Brazilian men has also been appropriated by their women's side, which breezed through the semifinal match with an 11-1 victory over Ecuador, then retained their title with a 7-1 win over host Argentina. Brazil's journey to Mar del Plata ended with a celebratory samba dance on the field before they received the cup and gold medals. It was justice, because Brazil was by far the best team of the tournament. Argentina fulfilled their hopes and expectations with a second place finish, which allows them to compete with the team which places second in the CONCACAF tournament in November for a slot in the '99 World Cup. Argentina won all their games in the first round but with less dramatic goal differentials and less consistency than Brazil demonstrated. Against Bolivia and Venezuela the Argentineans played a strong game, but against Uruguay the winning goal was scored in the last ten minutes of play. The technical quality of some players (Baca, Morales, Villanueva and Ochotorena) and the personality of Achaval appeared at the right time, when the team needed them. In the semifinal match Argentina ended regulation time tied with Peruthe surprise of this tournamentbut went through to the finals on penalties. In the final match against Brazil, Argentina seemed to hold their own until Roseli opened scoring at the ten minute mark. The Brazilians then controlled the ball as they touched, played and offered the best, with a goal from Sissi on a free kick from Formiga and a penalty scored by Roseli closing the half. Argentina's fans felt that referee Martha Toro, from Colombia, made a mistake by not calling Sissi's goal offside, but the Brazilian women were clearly the stronger side. Nothing changed in the second half. Pretinha increased Brazil's lead to four, Gerez then headed a goal for Argentina. A minute later Roseli's left leg shot made it five for Brazil and dampened Argentina's dreams of a resurgence. Cedinha, heading a corner, and Sissi, with a beautiful shot over Argentina's keeper Torres, closed the game 7-1. "Brazil are superior, they play great and they are ahead of us. This new loss in a final will be a useful learning experience," said Argentinean coach Raul Rodriguez Seoane. Peru finished third, surprising many with their strong showing in this tournament. In the third place game they tied Ecuador 3-3 and a victory on penalties allowed the Peruvian women the chance to stay right behind the top two South American squads. © WSW May/June 1998 |
