By Mike Collett
LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) – Hosts Britain, reigning
champions the United States and world champions Japan all sealed
their places in the quarter-finals of the women’s soccer
tournament on Saturday, with medal hopefuls Brazil and Sweden
joining them.
North Korea had a chance to make the last eight but lost it
when they were crushed 5-0 by France at Hampden Park after
conceding four goals in the last 20 minutes.
Japan’s 0-0 draw with Sweden in Coventry, combined with
other results later in the day, meant both qualified from Group
F, at worst as one of the two best third-placed teams in the
three group competition.
The top two teams in each group qualify, along with the best
two third placed finishers.
Britain, competing for the first time, were too strong for
African champions Cameroon and won 3-0 in Group E in front of
31,000 fans at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, to follow up their
historic first win against New Zealand on Wednesday.
The United States, bidding for a third successive gold, also
won 3-0 against Colombia in Group G in Glasgow while Brazil,
bidding for a first Olympic soccer gold, beat New Zealand 1-0 at
Cardiff in Group E with another goal from Cristiane, whose
overall tally of 12 is an Olympic all-time scoring record.
And although Japan were held by Sweden, who themselves are
hoping for a medal, both are assured of a last eight place as
they both have four points from their two matches and will
either finish first, second or third in the group.
The third placed team in Group E cannot finish with a better
record than either of them, so they are through.
Continued…
