Five-star Japan sink Norway
Japan’s 5-1 defeat of Norway on Tuesday in Shanghai saw the East Asians through to the quarter-finals of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. They will now meet China in their last-eight clash while the second-place Norwegians take on Brazil and table toppers the USA face Canada.
German joy as Korea fall
A 1-0 in Tianjin guaranteed Germany a place in the quarter-finals, while the North Koreans were eliminated by later results.
Schelin sparks Swede dreams
Lotta Schelin struck twice as Sweden leapfrogged Canada into the second of Group E’s qualifying slots with a hard-fought 2-1 win in Beijing.
The Swedes’ dubious reward is a quarter-final showdown with world champions Germany, while the beaten Canucks – who also advance to the last eight as one of the best third-place teams – face a potentially thrilling North American derby against their eternal rivals, USA.
Dominant USA avoid Brazil
USA dominated New Zealand throughout a 4-0 victory on a day when everything went their way in Group G. The result, coupled with Norway’s shock defeat by Japan, means the Americans pipped their Scandinavian rivals for top spot in the section and avoided a quarter-final meeting with Brazil.
It took just 40 seconds for Heather O’Reilly to score the fastest goal in the history of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, and thereafter it was all one-way traffic. Shannon Boxx had two attempts on goal from outside the box, and Lindsay Tarplay came close to doubling her team’s lead, teasing her way in from the left before firing against the post.
With halt-time approaching, Pia Sundhage’s side made it 2-0. Taking a long ball over the top into her stride, Amy Rodriguez arrowed the ball into the bottom-left corner of Jenny Bindon’s goal from the edge of the box.
New Zealand quickly got into gear following the restart, with Kirsty Yallop piercing through the US midfield and using a clever slide-rule pass to put Amber Fearn through on goal. The No9 looked favourite to reduce the deficit, but her tame effort was easily saved by Hope Solo.
It was the wake-up call USA needed and after Bindon had been drawn out of position due to blocking shots by Amy Rodriguez and O’Reilly, Tarplay guided the ball into the unguarded net to make it 3-0. Shortly after, Lori Chalupny cut in from the left and fired the ball against the crossbar. The rebound fell to Angela Hucles, whose strike found the back of the net despite the New Zealand keeper getting hands to the ball.
USA continued to monopolise possession, but they seemed quite content to hold out for a victory that, improbably, proved enough for them to finish atop the pool. New Zealand, by contrast, ended the first-phase at the foot of Group G.
China set up all-Asia clash
An assured 2-0 victory over Argentina gave the hosts top spot in Group E and set up an all-Asia quarter-final with Japan in the process. The opening 45 minutes saw little in the way of clear-cut chances, but China striker Han Duan was guilty of missing a hat trick of opportunities.
Cristiane stars as Brazil take top
A first-half treble from Cristiane helped Brazil beat Nigeria 3-1 to march into the quarter-finals as Group F winners. The result ended Nigeria’s participation in the competition.
Requiring victory to have any chance of progressing from the section, the Africans took the game to their opponents from the outset. Ifeanyi Chiejine, in particular, troubled the Brazilians, first driving the ball into the side-netting before curling a free-kick narrowly over Barbara’s crossbar.
The Seleção goalkeeper was undone on 19 minutes, though, when Perpetua Nkwocha sent her the wrong way from the penalty spot after Cynthia Uwak was fouled. Barbara then had to dive to her right to deny Nigeria a second goal ten minutes later.
Having conceded the spot-kick from which Brazil fell behind, Rosana was determined to make amends. And that she did on 34 minutes, masterfully flicking the ball on to the head of Cristiane, who nodded home the equaliser from close range.
Jorge Barcellos’ side had, by now, found their rhythm, and within minutes Cristiane’s stunning overhead kick had edged them in front. The elusive No11 completed her hat-trick on the stroke of half-time, collecting a Maycon pass and finishing coolly.
Nigeria’s chances of seizing maximum points were remote going into the second half, but that did not prevent them from a relentless attempt. Barbara, however, was equal to all of their efforts on goal.
Final Preliminary Round Group Standings
| Match | Date – Time | Venue | |||||
| 19 | 15/08 18:00 | Shanghai | USA | Canada | |||
| 20 | 15/08 18:00 | Tianjin | Brazil | Norway | |||
| 21 | 15/08 21:00 | Shenyang | Sweden | Germany | |||
| 22 | 15/08 21:00 | Qinhuangdao | China PR | Japan |
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