We are now into the business end of our tournament and infact our journey. We have only a matter of days left here and now is the time to ensure we can come home with amazing memories we can keep forever. We knew we faced a resilient Brazil side who were sure to put up a fight... If we'd have known how literal that was to be we wouldn't have been so shocked by the game yesterday.
Stepping off the coach in high spirits, our music playing and just trying to relax before our real focus kicked in, it was hard to ignore what a big game this was with alot of cameras and film crews following our every move from the moment we got to the ground. We didnt want to let anybody down, we didn't want to let eachother down, this HAD to be our night and ensuring we go home with a medal.
Brazil turned up in typical 'Samba' style, drums, tambourines, dancing, they wanted to be louder than us. Which to be fair they were loud and had more support there last night, was that going to make a difference to us? Of course not. We were there to do the job and make sure we were on the better half of the outcome. Simple, no noise or interfering they did was going to stop us.
I remember standing in the line up before the game, it was overwhelming to see everyone there and in a strange way this vibe and pride was bursting from us. I think collectively we've grown as a squad, as in our togetherness has become a massive part of us being a team and in that moment I felt that when I looked towards the bench and saw my team. It was a proud moment and I know everyone will think the same thing.
I'm going to keep the game analysis short (hopefully) but for the first 30minutes we were finding our feet in the game, the ball kept coming back into our half and we wasn't getting much restbite. Although Brazil had more of the ball they didn't threaten, we held firm and eventually settled in and put our stamp on the match. It was clear that the officials weren't going to help us tonight, many fouls went unnoticed and the Brazilians at every opportunity would be hollering in the referees ear to card someone. If thats how they felt they would win this game then that's poor, we wanted to win by playing football, not by relying on decisions or turning the game into a wrestling match.
Second half we tweaked a couple of things, I got moved off the GK from corners as I was being victimised for nothing and if I'd have looked at the goalkeeper the ref would have probably given a foul and a free-kick and a card? That's how literal she meant "anything else 3 and you'll get a card"... Anyway, we seemed to keep the ball more in their half and as always the belief started growing, half chances here and there but nothing clear cut. It only takes one to score though and in the 67th minute Izzy won a header off a Brazilian goal kick, it fell in the path of Courtney who pivoted and rolled the ball in the direction of Dan Carter beyond the backline. We was in!... With just the keeper to beat she dummied and got around her, only one outcome here with an open goal. Yep, 1-0 GB. Elation, everyone celebrated that goal like we had won the tournament, thats how much it meant to us to get that first goal. We ended up in a mass huddle by the bench screaming and cheering, we knew we was almost there.
Despite there being so much time left there was a sense of solidity in the team, it would take one hell of a comeback for us to give up our lead. Brazil threw more players forward and more elbows and late tackles. It was getting frustrating for them but we remained calm and let them work themselves into a defeat.
The final whistle couldn't have come with a better feeling. We had done it, through to the final. I remember just running towards my defensive partner Jem and jumping on her, knowing we'd worked so hard and could pour out or delight. Everyone was on the pitch giving out high fives and hugs, it was the best feeling of the trip so far. We was going to lap it up and enjoy the moment, with a medal now guaranteed we would be coming home with something to show for our work.
The work from everyone in our team (staff included) has been phenomenal. To get players fit from injury, to analysing games, to recovering right. All of it comes together and it gets results on the pitch, everyone plays their part in our team and its amazing to be experiencing the same emotions with this group. It's been awesome so far, and we don't want it to be cut short now. We have a FINAL to look forward to, we play Mexico on Monday and wow what an occasion to enjoy and fight for a gold medal. What a way that would be to complete our trip! Everyone knows it's one step away now and we can achieve that, one last collective push will get us over the line and finishing this tournament as number 1.
Naomi Cole, Team GBR #3.
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