Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 33

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 1999 Ball finally is rolling Chastain's way Rising star returns a more mature player field," she said. DiCicco obliged, sending her to the back line, where she proved herself immediately. "She probably was a player who" could have helped us at the World Cup in '95," DiCicco said. "Bui that not going to change anything. "What I learned from that is that when players drop out of the pool you can't assume their game isnt going to change.

They can reemerge if they're putting themselves in a good environment" By the 1996 Olympics, she was a starter, and played every minute of all five matches for the gold medalists. On the podium after the finat photographers captured her as she threw her head back and belted ou( the national anthem as if there were no tomorrow. Vi She knows there isnt always. The latest photos of Chastain show a player who is comfortable anywhere, who slides into midfield when she's needed there, comes forr ward on set pieces, scores goals: People who know her say she is playing the best soccer of hex career. "I have a lot more responsibility than I did in 1991 and I feel I can be a leader on this team," Chastain said.

"I hope I can be spontaneous and let this big wave of the World Cup lift me up. I'm ready to ride along with it I'm having the time of my life." she would have been miserable if she hadn't given it another shot "Once she starts believing in herself she is so mentally tough." Chastain waited for a call She never received an explanation from head coach Anson Dor-rance, who was succeeded by Tony DiCicco less than a year before the 1995 World Cup. By then the team's system was set and Chastain wasnt part of it She watched parts of that tournament on television when she could stand it "It was very emotional," Smith said. "It was very hard for her to contain her anger. Going through that forced her to swallow her pride a little bit The frustration helped her have the courage and motivation to get back in." When Chastain's chance finally came, it wasnt under ideal circumstances.

A core of veteran players walked out of the pre-Olympic training camp in late 1995 in an ultimately successful effort to win financial concessions from the U.S. soccer federation. DiCicco invited other players in so the team could scrimmage. Chastain was one of them. Chastain and DiCicco talked.

"I told him I'd play anywhere on the team appearance, against Mexico, in 1991 a classic example of a player who finds an opening and immediately sets about widening it She didn't get a lot of playing time in the inaugural World Cup in China, but Chastain figured that would change. Instead she fell out of favor and didn't play for the national team for nearly three years. "For some reason I always thought it was in the cards that I would be on the team again," Chastain said. "It wasn't like I sat down and contemplated the rest of my soccer career and said, 'Well, God, I think I'm retired I just kept playing. I was never going to stop." It was consistent with the little girl who didnt care for being confined inside, who picked up soccer at 6 and beat the garage door like a bass drum with solitary free kicks, rejecting her mother's attempts to dress her in lace and enroll her in tap dance classes.

"That wasn't enough for her," Lark Chastain said. "She was always on top of a tree or a fence." Brandi has a soft heart to go with her strong legs. When Lark had to put the family dog to sleep recently, Brandi wrote her a senti rf jj O)1 Women'sWorldCup SATURDAY'S RESULTS GROUP Russia 4, Canada 1 Norway 4, Japan 0 GROUP China 3, Australia 1 Sweden 2, Ghana 0 SUNDAY'S SCHEDULE I GROUP A Germany vs. Brazil, 12:30 p.m., ESPN2 (Washington) I GROUP Nigeria vs. Denmark, 3 p.m., ESPN2 (Washington) Mexico vs.

Italy, 3:30 p.m., (ESPN2 delayed at 11:30 p.m.) (Boston) I CROUP A United States vs. North Korea, j. 6 p.m., ESPN2 (Boston) FIRST-ROUND STANDINGS GROUP A WLT GFGAPI USA 2 0 0 10 1 6 North Korea 1 1 0 4 3 3 Nigeria 1 1 0 3 8 3 Denmark 0 2 0 1 6 0 1 GROUP i WLT GF GA PT Ix-Brazil 2 0 0 9 1 6 Germany 10 1 7 14 Oil 131 Mexico 0 2 0 1 13 0 GROUP tfJ. WLT GF GA PT xorway 3 0 0 13 2 9 x'Russia 2 1 0 10 3 6 Japan 0 2 1 1 10 1 Canada 0 2 1 3 12 1 GROUP WLT GF GA PT x-China 3 0 0 12 2 9 Sweden 2 1 0 6 3 6 AUstralia 0 2 1 3 7 1 Ghana 0 2 1 1 10 1 Note: In the first round, each team faces the other teams in its group once, earning three points tor a victory and one point for a tie. The 1 -top two teams in each group advance to the "quarterfinals, where the tournament shifts to angle elimination, x-advances to second round.

ffr -e u.s. update 1. Players most likely to get the day off 1 Sunday against "35 North Korea are defender Kate Sobrero, who needs to pamper a twisted ankle, and Michelle Akers, whose chronic fatigue syndrome makes it difficult to play three matches in eight days. 9 QUOTES OFTHE DAY 'It's kind of nut a 'suddenly thing. I saw an actress interviewed on television tiie other night who was asked the same question, and she said, 'It may seem sudden to you, but I've Jbeen doing this for 15 That's how it is for me.

I've been on this team for 14 years. We've been here all along, -influencing girts all along." U.S. midfielder Akers, answering a question about emergence of the players as role models. "I think the U.S. players fear us because we are a physical team.

We do not play dirty, but I do think they fear us." Norway defender Goril Kringen "AH along I've felt like we've eeii a victim of circumstance. I don't think we've been treated very well." Ghana coach E.K. Afranie on his team being viewed as too physical "Right now I'm concerned about my looks. I feel like the Elephant Woman." Norway captain Linda Medalen after receiving an elbow to the nose that caused considerable swelling GOT A QUESTION Wondering which teams are favored to make the finals? Want to know more about the U.S. offense? Send your questions about the Women's World Cup to staff writer Bonnie DeSimone at: By Bonnie DeSimone Tribune Staff Writer WELLESLEY, Mass.

It all looks preordained now. Brandi Chastain is a gilt-edged rising star in this Women's World Cup. Suddenly, she is everywhere, embodying the cult of a team that is both tough and playful: trading quips with an obviously smitten David Letterman, posing for an artsy nude shot in Gear magazine, slide-tackling to win a ball against Nigeria. She would be the first to tell you that she didn't always have life by the taiL For a while there, it had her in a chokehold. "I do feel fortunate," Chastain said Friday as the U.S.

women's soccer team prepared for Sunday's final first-round World Cup game against North Korea. "But I've made these things happen." The 30-year-old Chastain, a San Jose, native, is playing in her second World Cup. She was along on the ride for the first one eight years ago, when she smiled from the back row of the team photo with a face as open and sunny as a yellow rose. Chastain was a tall target striker then, with spiky-sharp skills, like a thorny stem, to match. She is one of only two U.S.

players ever to score five goals in one game. She did it as a sub in her first national Sweden survives 'beating' By Chip Scoggins Tribune Staff Writer It was supposed to be European football, but the Sweden-Ghana match Saturday looked more like American football Sweden 2 Battered and bruised, the Ghana 0 Swedes limped into the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup after surviving 90 minutes of takedowns and tackles to win 2-0 in front of 34,256 at Soldier Field. But Sweden may have to continue the tournament without Hanna Ljungberg, who injured her knee early in the match and did not return. The 20-year-old Ljungberg, Sweden's top goal scorer in the tournament, left with an injured right knee in the sixth minute. She was scheduled for an MRI Saturday night.

"It looks like it might be her ligaments," Sweden coach Marika Domanski Lyfors said. "It looks bad." Ljungberg wasn't alone in her pain. Victoria Svensson, who scored both of Sweden's goals, was thrown to the Soldier Field turf more than Erik Kramer. She had to be helped off the field after several tackles. "It was rough out there," Svensson said.

"They are a very physical team." Some say too physical. Ghana was without two starting defenders who were serving suspensions from earlier matches. Regina Ansah was red-carded for a tackle from behind against China. Rita Yeboah missed the game after being cautioned in Ghana's first two matches. The Black Queens drew two more yellow cards Saturday and were whistled for 15 fouls, which left Ghana coach E.K.

Afranie questioning the way his team was treated throughout the tournament "Everyone wants to talk about us playing a physical game," Afranie said after Ghana was eliminated with an 0-1-2 record. "I want to emphasize that football is a contact game. Let us encourage the women to play like the men. In the male game, we see the tackling. Why is it that the least contact in the women's game attracts a card?" After failing to convert numerous chances in the first half, Sweden finally broke through in the 58th minute on a header by Svensson off a perfect pass from Malin Mostrom.

Svensson scored her second goal in the 86th minute. Oban Sweden 0 00 0 22 First half. No scoring. Stcood halt: 1, Sweden, Svensson (Mostrom), 58m minute. 2, Swadan, Svansson (Gustafsaon), 86th.

Goalies: Sweden, Ulrlka Karlsson: Ghana, Memu-natua Sulemana. Comer kicks: Sweden 6, Ghana 2. Offaldea: Sweden 6. Ghana 2. Shots on goal: Sweden 17, Ghana 7.

Fouls: Sweden 14, Ghana 14. Yellow Caida: Nana Gyamfua (Ghana), 10th minute; Sheila Okai. (Ghana) 81st. Referee: Sonla Oenon-court, Canada. Linesmen: Ann Wencha Kleven, Norway; Come Kruthof, Holland.

34,256. Lineups: Ghana: Memunatua Sulemana, Patience Sackey, Elizabeth Baidu, Barikisu Tettey-Quao, Alberta Sackey. Vivian Mensah, Adjoa Bayor, Lydia Ankrah (Sheila Okai, 65th). Nana Gyamtua (Mercy Tagoe, 84th), Stella Ouartey, Genevive Clottey. Sweden: Ulnka Karlsson, Korlina Westberg, Jane Tornqvist, Asa Lonnqvist, Kristin Benglsson.

(Tina Nordlund, 60th), Malin Mostrom, Cecilia Sandell, Malm Gustaffson (Linda Fagerstrom, 67th), Malm AnderssoPj Hanna Ljungberg (Therese Lundin, 6th), Victoria S4 sson. mental note. Kids' clinics and promotional appearances seem to energize her. Chastain went to Berkeley to play, then transferred to Santa Clara, having surgery on both knees while she was still a collegian. Her presence on the 1991 World Cup roster as a reserve forward was already somewhat of a triumph of mind over matter.

But by the time Chastain lost her national team slot, she thought she had earned it She tried to stay busy. She helped her husband and former coach, Jerry Smith, coach the Santa Clara women's team. She played club soccer in Japan and in northern California, on the same team as U.S. midfielder Julie Foudy. husband, Ian Sawyers, coached the club.

"It was a hard time," Chastain said. "Not a happy two years. But it was definitely a chance to reevaluate how much I really enjoyed playing. It wasnt a time to get angry at people" Sawyers remembers things the same way. "Brandi's not one to complain," he said.

"I told her she was playing well enough to be considered. She thought she was out too old, too banged up. I didn't want her to think that way. I knew was the largest to attend a match. The figure surpassed the 29,401 fans that attended the Canada-Russia and China-Australia matches at Giants Stadium earlier Saturday.

The total number of fans for the two sessions at Soldier Field was 99,336. Rough play: Much has been made of Ghana's overly rough play. What the Black Queens lack in skill, they make up for in aggressiveness and hard tackling. Several teams have complained about Ghana's tactics, which they say border on dirty. "We knew they would play physical, but we can play physical," Sweden coach Marika Domanski Lyfors said.

"It is important that the match does not get dirty." Physical play is a touchy subject for E.K. Afranie, who used most of his post-match press conference to address the matter. "When you talk about physical play, people make up their minds before we step on the field," he said. "Anyone can be prejudiced. People already think that African teams play physical, so their minds are already made up." Ouch: Norway captain Linda Medalen may have broken her nose when she received an unintentional elbow from a Japanese player in the first half.

X-rays done at Solder Field were incon Smooth exit for Canada By James Warren Tribune Staff Writer EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.-The switch to democracy and capitalism has been arduous for Russia. Fortunately, Irina Grigorieva's transition from Russia 4 field hockey tP n.n.j, i soccer has been Canada i smoother laIgefy explaining Russia's 4-1 elimination of frustrated Canada from the World Cup on Saturday. A well-played contest offered the sweaty irony of two teams following a langorous first half witii a dynamic second, despite 91-degree heat at Giants Stadium before a crowd of 29,401. Canada has never won a WorH Cup game, male or female, ami early on seemed intent on -a change. Russia's defense was somewhat of a mess, and Canada repeatedly exploited both flank, crossing the ball with relative ease even if unable to finish at th goal mouth.

Russia's midfielders were more effective, notably Grigorieva, tHe skilled, 5-foot-4-inch captain, who has stop-on-a-dime moves and thunder in both feet. They stymied Canada's star striker, Char-maine Hooper, a North Carolina State graduate who plays for the Chicago Cobras of the USISL W-League. A glaring weakness of tHe women's game remains goalkeep-ing, but Canada's Nicci Wright and Russia's Svetlana Petko wefe sound, especially defending set plays such as corner kicks. I Nine minutes into the seconfl, Grigorieva took matters into her own feet, capitalizing on midfield inattention with a nifty run from 35 yards out on the right side, climaxing with a right-footed dart into the upper corner of the net. Twelve minutes later, the former field hockey star serviced newly arrived substitute Elena Fomina with a lovely pass, and Fomirja cracked a similar shot from 20 yards for a 2-0 lead.

Canada then picked up the pace and the largely invisible Hooper was beneficiary of loose play near the Russian goal making the second header off the same corner kick a winner and cutting the lead to 2-1. But its revived offensive verve made Canada susceptible to counterattack, and in the 86th minute, the 20-year-old Fomina pounced again, having been left alone only 10 yards out, and easily beat Wright Olga Karasseva scored the final goal Russia is now on course for', a quarterfinal battle with China. Rusaia Canada 0 4 -t4 0 1 First halt: No scoring. Second half: 1, Ruaala, Grigorieva (Barbachina). 54th minute.

2, Ruaaia, Fomina (Grigorieva), 66th, 3, Canada, Hooper (Donnelly), 76th. 4, Ruaala, Fomina (Letuchova), 86th. Ruaaia, O.Karajsava (Letuchova), 91st. Goalies: Russia, Svetlana Petko: Canada, Ned Wright. Corner kicks: Russia 6.

Canada 9. Off-aides: Russia 2, Canada 1. Shots on goal: Russia 13, Canada 15. Foula: Russia 9, Canada 11. YeMow Carda: Tanya Franck (Canada), 32nd minute, tsa-belle Harvey (Canada), 49th Natalia Karasseva (Russia) 77th.

Referee: Zuo Xiudi, China. Linesmen: Lu Lijuan, China; Ri Song Ok, North Korea. NA. Lineups: Russia: Svetlana Petko, Marina Bourak-ova. Natalia Karasseva, Tatiana Tcheverda (Yulia Yuchkevitch.

72nd). Galina Komarova, Natalia fh-pova, Tatiana Egorova (Elena Fomina, 61 si). Inna Grigorieva, Olga Karasseva, Natalia Barbachina (Lanssa Savina. 56th), Olga Letuchova. Canada: Nicci Wright, Sharlota Nonen, Isabelle Morneau, Janine Holland, Tanya Franck, Geri Donnelly, Amy Walsh, Mary Beth Bowie (Silvana Burtlni, 55th).

Charmame Hooper, Shannon Rosenow (Sarah Magbo. 80th). Isabelle Harvey. Ghana's Nana Amma Gyamfua jumps over Sweden's Karolina Westberg INSIDE THE WORLD CUP Australia's loss means only 1- Tribune photo by Phil Velasquez on Saturday at Soldier Field. 7 will qualify clusive and Medalen was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.

Medalen emerged from the locker room after the game wearing a bandage around her head and sunglasses. "I feel dizzy right now," she said. Norway team doctor Agnar Teg-nander said Medalen may need to wear a protective brace on her face. Ringers: Male soccer players at the international level routinely take the field dripping with jewelry, but the U.S. women ran into a bit of a double standard.

While players were in the tunnel waiting to go on the field for the World Cup opener at Giants Stadium, an official from FIFA, soccer's international governing body, told them they had to remove their wedding rings. Co-captain Julie Foudy, who wears a wedding band and a small gold signet ring from the "96 Olympics, simply stared him down. "He was having a cow because we weren't taking them off, and I just kept smiling and saying, and not doing anything," Foudy said. Finally, the referee stepped in and sent the women on the field. Quarterfinal matchups: The first quarterfinals at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, will pit China against Russia at 7 p.m.

followed by Norway-Sweden at 9:30 p.m. By Chip Scoggins and Bonnie DeSimone Tribune Staff Writers Sweden's victory coupled with Australia's loss in the Women's World Cup on Saturday sets up a convoluted scenario for the remaining teams trying to qualify for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. As host, Australia earns an automatic berth to the Olympics. But because the underachieving Australians failed to advance to the quarterfinals, only seven of the eight quarterfinalists now will qualify for Sydney. Here's how it works: The four winning quarterfinalists advance.

The quarterfmalist that loses by the widest margin is left on the outside looking in. If, however, the margin of defeat is the same for two or more teams, the next tiebreaker is number of goals scored by the losers. If any teams are still tied after this tiebreaker, FIFA, soccer's governing body, has three additional tiebreakers, all of which require a degree in advanced mathematics to figure out. Record crowd: The scene at Soldier Field for Saturday's double-header wasn't nearly as lively as it was two days earlier when the U.S. team was in town, but it was an impressive turnout nonetheless.

Thf Announced crowd of 34,256.