Killing off the minnows

The early rounds of any tournament are the best. The wider the field, the greater the chance for – well, chance to muck up all the ironclad expectations of the pundits.

In any matchup you’ll have a favorite. Early on, less is known about the team’s ability to play right now. You’re more apt for a surprise.

The more games are played, the more calcified the predictions become. There are simply less unknowns waiting in ambush. Teams have adjusted to surprises, and probability takes over.

This took a lot of fun out of the last round of matches: A series where the big fish killed off the lesser species, as if it was simply something to do to pass the time.

Scoreline - September 20, 2007
Match 1
Norway: 7
Storlokken 4'; Gulbrandsen 39', 59', 62'; Stangeland Horpestad 45' pen; Herlovsen 56'; Klaveness 69'
Ghana: 2
Bayor 73'; Okoe 80' pen

Match 3
China: 2
Li 57'; Xie 79'
New Zealand: 0

Match 4
Brazil: 1
Pretinha 91'
Denmark: 0

-wait, 1, 3, 4. What about Match 2?

I’m glad you asked:

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

Match 2
Australia: 2
McCallum 53'; Salisbury 92'
Canada 2
Tancredi 1'; Sinclair 85'

While this was certainly not a clash of titans, Canada had the better record, the lead, and was certain to advance until the 92nd minute - when Australia’s Lisa De Vanna pulled a long ball out of the air.

Inside the box, she beat one defender, then another, then the same one again before crossing the ball to her captain. Salisbury, on a dead run and with the entire Canadian defense still watching De Vanna, smashed home the equalizing goal.

It was frickin’ beautiful.

Canada needed three points to advance, but Australia needed only one – and a draw means the Matildas go on and Canada goes home.

An absolutely dream finish for the never-say-die Aussies – I only wish the reward for this match wasn’t a date with Marta and the Brazilian steamroller.

Brazil only managed one measly goal against the Danes, so maybe the Aussies can keep ruining people’s predictions.

I certainly hope so.

Here's the bracket:

Go USA! Go Aussies!