Marta spearheads Brazil bid for Olympic gold

29 June 2012 20:48

Five-time world player of the year Marta will spearhead Brazil's bid for their first women's football title at the London Olympics this summer.

The 26-year-old was among the 18-woman team named on Friday by Brazil coach Jorge Barcellos.

"Team training is going well and the way this team have gelled you could say we have the medal in our hands. It depends on us," said Barcellos.

The group will spend a week training in Brazil before travelling to Switzerland where they will compete in the Swiss Cup from July 14-17 and play a friendly against Ireland as part of preparations for the London Games.

Brazil have been drawn in Group E for the Olympics and open their campaign against Cameroon on July 25 in Cardiff. Their group also includes Britain and New Zealand.

Brazil have lost the last two Olympic finals against the United States, who have been drawn in Group G with France, Colombia and North Korea.

Japan are the world champions with Brazil reaching the semi-finals at last year's World Cup in Germany.

Goalkeepers: Andreia Suntaque (Juventus/ITA), Barbara Micheline (Foz Cataratas)

Defenders: Maurine (Centro Olimpico), Fabi (Football Club Roosiyanca/RUS), Rosana (Lyon/FRA), Bruna (Foz Cataratas), Aline Pellegrino (Football Club Roosiyanca/RUS), Daiane (Sao Jose), Erika (Centro Olímpico).

Midfielders: Ester (Football Club Roosiyanca/RUS), Formiga (Sao Jose), Francielle (Sao Jose), Elaine (Tyreso/SWE), Renata Costa (Foz Cataratas)

Strikers: Cristiane (Football Club Roosiyanca/RUS), Grazielle (Associacao Portuguesa de Desportos), Marta (Tyreso/SWE), Thaisinha (Vitoria).

Source: AFP