SAO PAULO (AP) — The women's football team from Brazil is heading to the London Olympics with the feeling that time is running out.

Marta and a talented generation of players may be getting their last shot at winning a significant title, and they hope they'll finally be able to break through at the 2012 Games.

Brazil has come agonizingly close in recent years, but it still has no trophy to show despite being a favorite in nearly every competition it has entered in the past decade. It finished second in the last two Olympics and also lost in the final of the 2007 World Cup.

"Now we have another chance to finally win one of these tournaments," Marta told The Associated Press. "It would be a dream come true for us."

And it might be now or never for a Brazilian team filled with veteran players who will likely be bidding farewell to football altogether in London. Some of them will be participating in their fifth Olympics.

Five-time world player of the year Marta will be in her third. And although she can still return for the 2016 Games in Rio, she might not be in her prime anymore by then. Last year marked the first time the 26-year-old Marta failed to win the player of the year award following five straight achievements.

Having a more experienced team may actually be the team's main advantage this time, though.

"There has to be a reason why we haven't been able to win so far, and I think that having experience makes a lot of difference in these tournaments," Marta said.

The team's near misses at the Olympics have been especially tough. Brazil reached the final at the 2004 Athens Games and the 2008 Beijing Games, but both times it left with the silver after losses to the United States. In 2008, Marta's 72nd-minute, point-blank shot that could've won the gold medal was saved by U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo and Brazil ended losing after allowing Carli Lloyd's goal in extra time.

Brazil was fourth in 1996 and in 2000.

"We are back on our quest to win the Olympic gold," Brazil coach Jorge Barcellos said. "It's what everybody dreams about here. I think this can finally be the watershed moment for Brazil's women's football. We have all the players focused to try to make this happen."

The Brazilians are coming off another heartbreaking loss at the 2011 World Cup in Germany, when the United States again played the villain. Brazil lost their quarterfinal match in a penalty shootout after allowing Abby Wambach's last-minute equalizer in extra time.

At the 2007 World Cup in China, Brazil played well throughout the tournament and seemed poised for its first title, but was stopped by Germany in the final, losing 2-0. Brazil was third at the 1999 World Cup in the United States.

Brazil's triumphs in women's football are limited to South American championships and gold medals at the 2003 and 2007 Pan American Games. Players admit the pressure for victory has increased significantly in recent years, especially with many top players getting near the end of their careers. But Marta said the team needs to be able to set that pressure aside when the competition begins in London.

"We can't pay too much attention to that," she said. "We need to try to stay focused solely on our job so we can play our best football."

Barcellos also doesn't want the players thinking too much about the team's past disappointments. He said they can't let the anxiety get the best of them, and having an experienced squad will be important to keep the team focused.

Grazielle, Rosana, Maycon and Andreia will be some of the veterans likely returning for their fourth Olympics, while midfielder Formiga and defender Tania Maranhao will have played in five if they make Brazil's final squad for London.

Also trying to give Brazil the title will be standout players Cristiane, Rosana, Fabiana, Aline and Elaine. They'll be joined by promising stars Maurine, Thais, Debora and Rafaelle.

"Many players will be bidding farewell to football in London so we need to take a look at these youngsters, too," Barcellos said.

Fifth in the women's rankings heading to London, Brazil began its preparations for the tournament at the beginning of June, although Marta and other players reported to the squad later because of commitments related to their European clubs. Barcellos will announce the final list of 18 players going to London on June 29.

The Brazilians will play at the Olympics on July 25 against Cameroon in Cardiff, Wales. It will also play New Zealand and host Britain in the group stage.

Barcellos acknowledged that Marta once again will be the player giving Brazil its greatest chance to finally make history, although he said everyone else will have to contribute.

"Marta is a leader, but it's not all on her," Barcellos said. "The rest of the players need to be playing well, too, for Marta to be effective."

She guarantees she will be doing her part. Even off the field.

"I haven't made any kind of promise yet," Marta said, "but I may even do that if it's what it takes."

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