FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011: Australia Vs. Equatorial Guinea, Brazil Vs. Norway, Group D

The standard of play thus far in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup has been fantastic, but there was a little something missing from the first set of games in Group D. In a group that features Marta, Lisa De Vanna, and a Norway team that is great as the sum of its parts rather than revolving around a star, little excitement was provided. The most interesting player or storyline in the first two games was Añonma, Equatorial Guinea’s No. 10. Oh, and this guy. Can the stars please come out?

Australia vs. Equatorial Guinea

Rosana’s goal for Brazil was easily the best thing to come out of the Brazil-Australia match on the 29th of June, while the second best thing to come out of that game was probably Lisa De Vanna not punching anyone in the face. Hopefully, for the sake of her team, she can get back to being really good at football, which she avoided doing against Brazil. We can only hope that this match turns into a great duel between De Vanna and Añonma.

Brazil vs. Norway

Will the real Marta please stand up? The five time FIFA World Player Of The Year was neutralized by Australia in her team’s first game, definitively proving that she’s nothing without Christine Sinclair and Ali Riley. Okay, not really, but it would be nice if she would show the world why she’s considered to be easily the best player in the world right now. Norway looked very lackluster against Equatorial Guinea in a 1-0 win, while Brazil’s terrible looking backline somehow kept a shutout against Australia. Hopefully, all becomes right with the world on Sunday and both teams score some goals.