German defence facing Brazilian flair in World Cup final

Shanghai, Sep 29: Brazil will look to their 21-year-old prodigy Marta to breach a staunch German defence in the women's World Cup final in Shanghai tomorrow.

In Thursday's semi-final, Brazil buried their hoodoo against the United States in emphatic style with a 4-0 win, the United States' heaviest World Cup loss.

''Our aim is to write our name in the history books of Brazilian football,'' midfielder Daniela Alves said after the semi-final victory.

''Winning (the World Cup) would help Brazilian women's football so, so much.'' Defending champions Germany, who on Wednesday overcame a persistent Norway to win 3-0 in the other semi-final, may have the personnel to stop Marta and side-kick Cristiane, who have scored 12 of Brazil's 17 goals.

Germany are the first team to make a World Cup final without conceding a goal.

''I think the fact that we've played five games without conceding a single goal says it all really,'' German defender Ariane Hingst told the Fifa Web site.

''We all help each other along and we've got great faith in each other,'' the 28-year-old said.

But Germany have firepower of their own, their 11-0 demolition of Argentina in their first group match was a tournament record.

Reuters>