Because this is a Women’s World Cup year, I have decided to countdown to the tournament by providing a short soccer/fitness related preview of each of the 24 participating nations. In this instalment, I will look at Brazil, who are making their 7th appearance at the Women’s World Cup (they have qualified for every tournament thus far). Brazil have been drawn in Group E, along with South Korea, Spain, and the Costa Rica.  They will play their first match against South Korea on Tuesday, June 9th, 2015.

Brazil are 7-time reigning South American Champions.  They have a talented team and have had a lot of success at previous Women’s World Cups, having finished in 3rd place in 1999, and as runners-up in 2007.  The team plays an attractive, possession-oriented style, at the centre of which is one of the world’s best ever female players, 29 year-old Marta.

Below is a link to a highlight video of some of Marta’s best plays and goals.

Marta has been voted FIFA Women’s Player of the Year 5 times in the past 10 years, and she also won the Golden Ball (top scorer in the Women’s World Cup) and Golden Shoe (Best Player in the Women’s World Cup) in 2007.  In the most recent Women’s World Cup in Germany in 2011, Marta scored 5 goals, as Brazil started strong before losing to a more disciplined United States team in the Quarter Finals.  As Marta is now 29 years old and in her prime as a player, this year’s tournament could be her last chance to finally win the one title that has eluded her and her country thus far.  We will have to wait and see what happens in 1 month’s time.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about this topic.  Drop me a line here to get the conversation started.