HOT SHOTS

Mia Hamm was sitting near her locker at Stanford Stadium Saturday afternoon, surrounded by the usual mob of reporters, patiently answering one question after another.

She was there but not there--until the right question was asked.

What can you tell us about Sun Wen and Sissi and some of the other foreign players in the semifinals?

Hamm’s eyes suddenly lit up, her voice became more animated and her hand movements more demonstrative.

And that, perhaps, is the best definition of an impact player: one whose performance on the field causes fellow top-level professionals to sit up and take notice.

“We were just talking about her [Sun],” Hamm said brightly. “She’s fun to watch. There are a lot of things I love about her game, but two things stand out.

“I was watching one of their [China’s] games on TV and she was making a lot of runs but she wasn’t getting a lot of touches on the ball. But then the one touch she got, the ball was in the back of the net.

“That’s the kind of player she is. If she gets the opportunity, usually she puts her team ahead or creates a really good scoring opportunity.

“And the second thing is, she can beat you in so many ways. You put the ball at her foot or put the ball in the air, she can beat you with a header, she can bend the ball around you, she can blast it past you. She’s just very sophisticated.

“She’s just a goal scorer. She’s not a shooter, she’s a goal scorer. I have so much respect for her. Stuff like that doesn’t happen. She’s worked on it.”

The admiration of one professional for another was obvious. Chances are, Sun would say the same things about Hamm.

The good part about the Women’s World Cup having reached its semifinal stage is that the final four teams are packed with impact players. That’s why they’re still in the hunt for the championship.

If China, which plays world champion Norway today in Foxboro, Mass., has Sun, then Brazil, which plays the United States in Palo Alto, has Sissi.

Again, Hamm’s eyes brighten.

“Well, we’ve kind of seen her evolution,” she said. “She’s the playmaker. She’s the heart of the Brazilian team. Everything goes through her, and for a great reason: it’s because she’s so talented.

“She’s very deceptive on the ball. I think she’s got deceptive speed. She can pretty much get your defense shifting one way and then cut back and make that slashing pass. We’ve seen that you can’t give her any free kicks.”

Sissi’s astonishing free kick that beat Nigeria in overtime in the quarterfinals will be talked about and replayed for years. Hamm knows only too well how difficult it was to execute.

“Every free kick is different,” she said. “You very rarely get the ball in the same spot. And to be able to consistently strike the ball the way she does, with either foot. . . . “

Hamm paused, realizing that Sissi’s precision placement on the kicks needed mentioning too.

“She’s not finishing in the center of the goal,” she said, “she’s putting these balls in the corners. That’s exceptional.”

So exceptional that U.S. Coach Tony DiCicco Saturday morning had his defense working on ways to thwart Sissi. Earlier, he had joked about the problem.

“We’re thinking of a couple of tactics I saw in the NFL,” he said, “trying to block field goals, where people run up the backs of the linemen in front of them and jump up and try to prevent it from going over the wall in this case.

“I’m not sure if that will work or not, but she’s obviously someone who has proven herself to be world-class level in taking free kicks. We’re not going to be able to give up any fouls around the penalty area.”

The problem is more complicated, however. The 32-year-old withdrawn forward not only has scored seven of Brazil’s 16 goals, she’s assisted on five of the other nine.

“Sissi is having a tremendous World Cup,” DiCicco said. “This doesn’t surprise any of us. We’ve played against her before and she’s a wonderful talent and a tribute to the women’s game and how skillful and artistic they can be.”

There are other artists on other teams, too, including the U.S.

To get the best picture of just who to keep an eye on in today’s semifinals, it’s best to talk to Lauren Gregg, the U.S. assistant coach who keeps track of every opponent.

Here is Gregg’s take on a dozen players who, in addition to Wen and Sissi, could have the most impact on which teams will reach the final at the Rose Bowl next Saturday:

* Brazil midfielder Cidinha: “She’s scored some goals. Just really kind of the anchor in the midfield. Sprays the ball everywhere. She’ll change the point [of attack] for them. Very seldom loses possession. Makes it difficult to get through the center of their defense. Might not be the flashy player people look for, but she’s critical to their shape defensively and their offensive scheme.”

* Brazil forward Katia da Silva: “A dangerous player also. Deceptive. A great striker of the ball. Not like our front-runners who are always working very hard, but probably more opportunistic.”

* Brazil forward Pretinha: “Works very, very hard. Kind of makes their attack happen because of her mobility and the quality of her runs. Very sophisticated on the ball. Good at one-on-one and combination play.”

* U.S. midfielder Michelle Akers: “Michelle is one of a kind in this tournament. I don’t think there’s a player like her in the World Cup. She gives us incredible physical presence. Makes it difficult to get up the center of our defense. Her heading, her mentality, she’s covering tremendous ground sweeping behind the midfield. Pivotal for us to change the point of attack. Our main reload option. Dangerous on free kicks and corner kicks.”

* U.S. forward Mia Hamm: “Critical to where we are. One of our most consistent players, setting the tone. She’s drawing a lot of players through her play and her reputation, so that’s freeing up a lot of other players. Whether she’s scoring the goals or not, her impact is invaluable. Her defensive work as a front-runner is the best in the world.”

* U.S. forward Tiffeny Milbrett: “Having the best tournament of her career. On top of her game right now. She’s fit, she’s mobile. Her acceleration and ability to run at defenses is among the best in the world. A lot of people are scoring for us right now, but she is absolutely on fire.”

* China forward Jin Yan: “What I like about her is she gives them a different dimension. She’s got some size so they have some heading presence. They’re starting to get a much better complement of personalities. Good in the air and because of that it gives them more options [on attack].”

* China midfielder Zhao Lihong: “Her ability to get up and down the flank is probably the best in the world. And her ability to come inside with the ball or get around the outside, she can beat you either way. Tremendous resolve to get behind defenses. Penetrating runs. Her service into the box is exceptional. With the bent early ball, she always finds a free player. I think she’ll make a big mark on this game.”

* China midfielder Ailing Liu: “Tremendous leader for them. Great distributor. One of the best playmakers in the final four. Sophisticated on the ball. What’s dangerous about her, although she’s a playmaker, if you give her time and space, she’ll crack that ball. She can score from 30 yards out. Can slice any defense with her final pass.”

* Norway forward Ann Kristin Aarones: “Obviously her size [6 feet 1] gives them an incredible dimension on free kicks. She’s very dangerous in the air. A deceptive athlete. She’s got very good speed. Can get behind [defenses]. Reads the game very well. She’s a schemer, and her off-ball movements make her very dangerous. She’s always in the right place in the right time, that’s the tactical sense she has. A great heading presence for them.”

* Norway forward Marianne Pettersen: “She’s a key target player. Most of their attack goes through her. She’s a one-on-one player, she’s got excellent speed, tremendously quick, finishes goals, can combine [with others], kind of the complete package in a front-runner. ‘Shark’ is a great word for her, she hunts the ball down.”

* Norway midfielder Hege Riise: “Best player in the ’95 world championship. One of her greatest qualities is the ability to find the most dangerous penetrative option immediately. She hits at the heart of your defense or your most vulnerable spot. Just deadly with the passing ability. Free kick artist. Can score goals and also very tactical with her runs. One of the best players at this event.”

So there they are, 14 players who could turn the semifinals their team’s way with a single shot or a single pass.

But, as Hamm pointed out, don’t forget the goalkeepers--China’s Gao Hong, Norway’s Bente Nordby, Brazil’s Maravilha and the United States’ Briana Scurry.

It could just as easily all come down to a single great save.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

UNITED STATES vs. BRAZIL

1:30 p.m., ESPN

at Palo Alto

Going Forth on the Fourth

With a berth in the World Cup final at stake in this July 4 encounter, Tiffeny Milbrett (16) and the U.S. will try to counter the offensive prowess of Sissi (10) and Brazil. Page 8

*

CHINA vs. NORWAY

4:30 p.m., ESPN

at Foxboro, Mass.

Tall Order for China

Midfielder Hege Riise (6) and defending champion Norway have the size advantage over China, whose offense has been fueled by Sun Wen (9) with five goals. Page 8