Marta helps Brazil into quarter-finals, Matildas keep hopes alive

SOCCER/WOMEN'S WORLD CUP:MARTA SCORED two goals as Brazil beat Norway 3-0 to guarantee a place in the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup in Germany yesterday.

Five-time Fifa world player of the year Marta opened the scoring against the 1995 champions in the 22nd minute of the Group D game in Wolfsburg. Rosana and Marta made it 3-0 in the opening minutes of the second half.

Brazil have six points, with Norway and Australia on three each and Equatorial Guinea none.

Australia kept their World Cup hopes alive with a 3-2 win over Equatorial Guinea.

Leena Khamis gave the Matildas an early advantage before a refereeing howler denied them a clear penalty.

An Anonman goal brought the game level, but Emily van Egmond and Lisa De Vanna gave Australia a commanding lead after the break.

Anonman’s second gave Guinea a fighting chance late on, but Australia held on to take the three points.

Equatorial Guinea have given a good account of themselves in this tournament despite being rank outsiders, losing narrowly to Norway in their opening game.

Like Norway, Australia struggled to control the pacy Africans in the first half, but a goal from Sydney FC foward Khamis soon settled their nerves.

The 16th minute saw some controversy as the Matildas were denied a penalty thanks to a baffling decision from referee Gyoengyi Gaal.

A Khamis effort bounced off the post, only for African defender Bruna to instinctively catch the ball before casually dropping it and playing on.

Several Australian players surrounded the Hungarian referee but their protests were waved away.

England winger Jess Clarke hopes she can force her way into the starting line-up after coming on to score the winner against New Zealand in Dresden on Saturday.

Hope Powell’s side came from 1-0 down to beat the Kiwis 2-1 and need a point against Japan to guarantee their place in the quarter-finals.

“We got off to a rocky start but this win gives us confidence,” Clarke told the BBC.

“I want to play from the start against Japan, but that’s Hope’s decision.”