ONE SMALL STEP

Brazilian women’s soccer has come a long way in a few short years. By finishing fourth in the first women’s Olympic soccer tournament--Brazil was beaten, 2-0, by Norway in the bronze-medal game--it was largely considered a success.

Brazil Coach Jose Duarte was asked if this meant the women’s team was better than the men’s.

Durate, to his credit, did not laugh.

“The Brazilian male soccer team is very well respected,” he said. “But the female team nobody knows. This is the beginning for women’s soccer in Brazil.”