The match up for the Select World Cup 2022 Olathe has been set. Algeria and Brazil will face off in the first ever Select World Cup Championship match on 3 June at 5:00 pm. The last time these two faced one another was in the group stage and it ended in a 1-1 draw. This championship match will not disappoint.
So how did we get here? First, Algeria had to face Germany in the semi-finals. Germany was playing very well entering the match with Algeria. They ended their group with 2 wins and only 1 loss to Haiti. They had a player tied for the most goals of the tournament. Unfortunately, that's where it ended for Germany. They were off the entire day and mistakes seemed to follow them with every passing minute. That is not to take anything away from Algeria who played an absolutely amazing tournament and not suffering a single loss. In fact, with them taking out Germany 7-1, they are responsible for the two biggest blowouts of this tournament. This Algerian team is well run with some great footballers and no team can afford to make mistakes against them without suffering the consequences. It certainly would not be shocking to see them win the championship.
"It means a lot, it's like a dream for all the players that's come true. Any soccer player loves to play under the color of his country and make his country proud of him and make it's flage always on high sky. Soccer runs in Algerians blood. When it's about the country and the flag, everyone [gets] around the team and supports it. We may not see so many supporters during the game, but we know that every Algerian in the community supports us with their heart." - Algerian coach Abdellatif Boukhenoufa
As mentioned above, Brazil will be the second team playing in the championship match. Their path was through the USA. This match was a closely contested one that ended at 2-2 after regulation. Extra time did not disappoint. It was back and forth with each team having close changes. The first team to strike was Brazil when #9 Ranieverson Rodrigues de Souza put one into the net. Time was quickly running out for the Yankees. In the closing seconds of extra time, down by one goal the USA had a corner kick. It would prove their closest chance as the ball hit the crossbar and deflected away. Game, set, match... Brazil moves on.
"I was cautiously optimistic that we were going to win in OT and not have to go to PKs.", stated Brazil coach Daniel Nichols, "While we have typically had a good number of fans at all of our games, most all of them were within our circle of family and friends. So we will continue to spread the word to other Brazilians in the area who would like to come and support us both in the championship game and in future tournaments. [To win it all] would certainly mean a lot to myself and each member of this team. They have all worked very hard together and we have overcome many obstacles to get this far. Obviously, as Brazilians, we want to win every soccer tournament that we take part in."
The match will be played on 3 June at 5:00 pm at Heritage Park Soccer Fields. Germany and the USA will play earlier in the day at 1:00 pm for 3rd place.
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