ACOG - News - IBM

Olympic Football Recaps: 22 July (Day 3)

Men's Football Preliminary Round

USA vs. TUN

U.S. Beats Tunisia in Men's Football:

Goals by Jovan KIROVSKI and Brian MAISONNEUVE propelled the United States to a 2-0 win over Tunisia in men's Olympic football on Monday in Birmingham, Ala. The U.S. kept its hopes alive of advancing into the second round following an opening round loss to co-favorite Argentina. Playing before a crowd of 45,687 in Legion Field, the American offense held a 12-5 shots on goal margin over Tunisia. KIROVSKI's game-winning goal came on a direct kick in the 38th minute of the first half. After being pulled down in front of the penalty area, KIROVSKI drilled the ball over a wall of Tunisian players and past goalkeeper Chokri EL OUAER for the score. MAISONNEUVE scored his goal in the 90th minute as the U.S. enjoyed a two-man advantage. The U.S. (1-1-0) must tie or defeat their next opponent Portugal (1-0-1) on 24 July in Washington, D.C. to advance to the second round for the first time in the Olympic Games. Final Score: USA 2, TUN 0.


ARG vs. POR

Portugal Ties Favored Argentina in Men's Football:

The second shocker in as many days came against the favorites in men's Olympic football Monday night. Portugal took advantage of a goalkeeper's error to pull off the latest shocker with a 1-1 tie against favored Argentina in Washington, D.C. Co-favorite Brazil fell on Sunday to Japan 1-0. On Monday, Portugal's Nuno GOMEZ poked in a wayward rebound in the 70th minute to give the Portuguese the tie. Despite outshooting Portugal 22-9, Argentina mustered only one goal -- a chip shot by Ariel ORTEGA in the first half. Portugal (1-0-1) plays the United States (1-1-0) on Wednesday at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, while Argentina (1-0-1) meets Tunisia (0-2-0) in matches that will determine the two quarterfinalists from Group A. Portugal could be without starting goalkeeper CONTINHA, who left Monday's game in the first half when he was hit by Diego SIMEONE in the 30th minute. Final Score: ARG 1, POR 1.


ESP vs. FRA

Garcia Helps Spain Earn Tie in Men's Football:

Defending Olympic football champion Spain got some redemption from Oscar GARCIA in a 1-1 tie with France on Monday night in Orlando, Fla. GARCIA failed to convert a penalty kick early in the second half, but redeemed himself with a late goal to salvage the tie. France scored in the first half when Sylvain LEGWINSKY headed a corner kick from Claude MAKELELE past Spanish goalkeeper Juan MORA in the 38th minute. GARCIA, who scored the only goal in Spain's opening round win over Saudi Arabia, took a pass from Raul GONZALEZ and put the ball past goalkeeper Lionel LETIZI in the 85th minute. A crowd of 16,633 attended the match at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Spain (1-0-1) meets Australia (1-1-0) in its next Group B matchup while France (1-0-1) faces Saudi Arabia (0-2-0) Wednesday. Final Score: ESP 1, FRA 1.


KSA vs. AUS

Australia Tops Saudi Arabia Before Small Men's Football Crowd:

Playing before the smallest men's Olympic football crowd of these Olympic Games, Australia defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 Monday night at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla. Only 5,995 were in attendance, compared to the 46,000-plus who attended the Japan-Brazil match on Sunday. Mark VIDUKA led Australia with the winning goal in the 63rd minute on a behind-the-back heel kick on a cross pass from Joseph SPITERI. Peter TSEKENIS scored Australia's first goal in the 11th minute on his own rebound. Saudi Arabia tied the match at the 37th minute as Mohammed AL-KHILAIWI eluded three defenders and headed Obied AL-DOSSARY'S corner kick into the net. Saudi Arabia missed a chance to tie the match in the 66th minute on a penalty kick. However, Fuad AMIN'S attempt was easily stopped by Australian goalkeeper Frank JURIC. Australia's (1-1-0) next Group B oppnent will be Spain (1-0-1) on Wednesday while Saudi Arabia (0-2-0) meets France (1-0-1). Final Score: AUS 2, KSA 1.


This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.


Return to the Olympic News Menu

Select another day:
Pre July 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 August 1 2 3 4 Post


Olympic Factoid
An estimated 5.3 million visted Centennial Olympic Park between opening day - 13 July - and closing day - 4 August, making the park the most single most visited Olympic site during the Games.