03.06.2015 02:07 h

Marta-led Brazil chase maiden title

Seeking to show they can emerge from a long shadow cast by their male counterparts, Brazil's women are targeting a strong showing at the World Cup in Canada, despite a maiden crown having proved elusive to date.

Although last year's German humiliation shattered dreams of further glory, Brazil's men have famously accrued a record five World Cup crowns to date.

In stark contrast, although the Selecao's female counterparts boast one five-time title winner in veteran Marta, her achievements comprise five FIFA world player of the year accolades, as opposed to team glory.

Coach Oswaldo Alvarez, nickname Vadao, insists the team are well-drilled as they prepare to tackle Group E rivals Spain, Costa Rica and South Korea.

Earlier this year, Vadao said he rated Marta as "just as important to us as Neymar is to the men's team".

But having seen the men collapse without their talisman, injured for the Germany game, he wants to ensure his squad can show they are by no means a one-woman band.

Whereas the challenge of a first home World Cup in 64 years piled the pressure on the men, the women do not have to contend with oversized home expectations.

As the seventh-ranked team in the world -- just ahead of their Canadian hosts -- Brazil's women are not routinely expected to despatch allcomers.

The burden of expectation will instead fall largely on the United States and Germany, with two crowns apiece, leaving Vadao and his players to plot a maiden success at the seventh attempt.

"There are no guarantees in this game. But we are well prepared and ready to go out to Canada with the intention of landing the title for the first time," Vadao explained, while adding that Olympic gold is also a key target in Rio next year.

"We must show and fulfil the potential that is definitely there."

Vadao says making the women's game more visible is of major importance.

"We must give women's football due importance because it is not just about sport - there is also the cultural and social aspect. A lot of young women are playing in Brazil."

Of FIFA's $100 million Legacy Fund from last year's World Cup, the women's game will receive $15 million.

Within South America, Brazil have rarely been found wanting, to which six Copa America titles attest.

Marta missed their most recent success in Ecuador but her experience at this level is such that the Swedish-based star will be duly pencilled in as she looks to break Brazil's hoodoo -- she personally came agonisingly close to success in 2007 but missed a spotkick in a final defeat to Germany.

Vadao, 58, brings huge experience to the table, having spent two decades at club sides including Goias and Vitoria Sbefore taking the reins of the women in April last year.

Among his claims to fame are aiding the early development of players such as Rivaldo and also Kaka and he is known for his love of a fluid passing game.

At the last Copa America, the women were top scorers and also had the meanest defence.

But their long wait for World Cup glory stretches back to their 1991 debut opening round exit in China.

Third place at USA '99 appeared to suggest a title was coming within reach but the 2007 heartache meant it was back to the drawing board and in 2011 they went home at the quarter-final stage.

"We lost too much time and did not develop over recent years, failing to develop our long term work and bring along youth players," Marta admitted in a recent FIFA interview.

In Canada, the women will be out to raise their profile and finally scoop glory -- though muddying Vadao's preparations is an injury to defender and captain Bruna Benites, after she sprained knee ligaments in training last month.