ACOG - News - IBM

Olympic Football Recaps: 25 July (Day 6)

Women's Football/Match 9, Group F

NOR vs. JPN

Norway Blanks Japan, to Face USA in Women's Olympic Football Semifinal

Defending world champion Norway picked up the pace in their quest for the first women's Olympic football gold medal. The co-favorites shut out Japan 4-0 Thursday night to advance to a semifinal showdown with the other gold medal co-favorite, the United States.

Norway (2-0-1) worked through the high humidity of Washington, D.C. in winning Group F and gearing for Sunday's semifinal match against the United States team. Marianne PETTERSEN and Linda MEDALEN led the Norwegian offensive attack. PETTERSEN scored two goals, coming in the 25th and 86th minutes while MEDALEN, scoring her third goal of the tournament, notched a score in the 60th minute. Substitute Trine TANGERAAS rounded out Norway's scoring with a fluke goal in the 75th minute. Japan (0-3-0), already eliminated from contention, appeared worn down by both the humid weather and the physical play of their bigger, stronger opponents.

Final Score: NOR 4, JPN 0.

See story.


Women's Football/Match 10, Group F

BRA vs. GER

Tie Advances Brazil in Women's Football

A goal by SISSI in the 53rd minute helped Brazil into the women's Olympic football semifinals with a 1-1 tie against Germany (1-2-0) Thursday night in Birmingham, Ala. Brazil (1-0-2) will face China (2-0-1) in Saturday's first semifinal in Athens, Ga.

SISSI scored on a low shot off the right goalpost as Brazil recovered from a first half deficit. Germany, who needed a victory in order to advance, missed several scoring chances in the final minutes. Pia WUNDERLICH put Germany up 1-0 just minutes into the game. Brazil came close to tying the game twice in the first half on attempts by ROSELI.

Final Score: BRA 1, GER 1.


Women's Football/Match 11, Group E

USA vs. CHN

USA and China Finish in Deadlock, Advance to Women's Football Semifinals

They were deadlocked at the top of Group E and Thursday's key matchup finished that way. The United States (2-0-1) and China (2-0-1) played to a scoreless tie in women's Olympic football as both teams advance to Sunday's semifinal round at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. Thursday's final preliminary match at the Orange Bowl in Miami, drew 43,525, the most ever to watch the United States women at home.

China will advance as the top team from Group E, based on goal differential. China will face Brazil at 15:00 while the USA team meets gold medal co-favorite Norway at 17:30.

The USA team played without star forward Mia HAMM, who sat out Thursday's contest nursing an ankle sprain suffered in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Sweden. Both teams played aggressively, but neither team could mount an effective offensive drive. The United States offense attacked China's goal during the final 5 minutes, but goalkeeper Hong GAO held her ground.

Final Score: USA 0, CHN 0.


Women's Football/Match 12, Group E

DEN vs. SWE

Sweden Defeats Denmark in Women's Olympic Football

Playing mainly for Scandinavian pride, Malin SWEDBERG scored a pair of goals to lead Sweden to a 3-1 win over Denmark Thursday night in the women's Olympic football. Both teams, playing in their tournament finale, had been eliminated from medal contention. SWEDBERG scored two goals during a 6-minute span of the second half. Her first goal in the 62nd minute snapped a scoreless tie while her second came 6 minutes later on a grounder past goalkeeper Dorthe LARSEN.

Lena VIDEKULL gave Sweden (1-2-0) a 3-0 lead in the 76th minute before Denmark (0-3-0) averted a shutout when Helle JENSEN scored in the final minute of the contest.

Final Score: SWE 3, DEN 1.


Men's Football/Match 21, Group C

GHA vs. MEX

Ghana, Mexico Tie and Advance in Men's Olympic Football

Mexico (1-0-2) and Ghana (1-1-1), each looking to advance in the men's Olympic football tournament, played to a 1-1 tie Thursday night in Washington, D.C. Mexico advanced without a hitch, but Ghana had to await the outcome of the Italy vs. South Korea game in Birmingham, Ala. Thanks to a 3-2 Italian victory, Ghana also advanced to Sunday's quarterfinals on goal differential. Mexico will face Nigeria in Sunday's first quarterfinal game in Birmingham while Ghana, the 1992 Olympic bronze medalists, play Brazil in Miami, Fla.

Pavel PARDO was both the hero and the goat for Mexico. Before a pro-Mexico crowd of 30,237, PARDO deflected a ball into his net for an own goal, but redeemed himself with a picture-perfect assist on the tying score by Jose ABUNDIS.

Final Score: GHA 1, MEX 1.


Men's Football/Match 22, Group C

KOR vs. ITA

Underdog Italy Eliminates South Korea From Men's Olympic Football

Marco BRANCA scored a pair of goals, including the tie-breaker with 7 minutes remaining, as Italy eliminated South Korea 2-1 from the men's Olympic football tournament on Thursday night in Birmingham, Ala. South Korea (1-1-1) needed a victory to advance to Sunday's quarterfinal round. That, however, was spoiled by Italy (1-2-0), which had been earlier eliminated in the tournament. Ghana, which tied Mexico 1-1 on Thursday, advanced to the quarterfinals ahead of South Korea on goal differential.

BRANCA's first score came on a free kick in the 24th minute, giving Italy a 1-0 lead. South Korea tied the match when Ki-Hyung LEE scored on a deflected free kick. BRANCA's winning goal came in the 83rd minute as Italy, the 1994 World Cup runner-up to Brazil, made up for its lackluster Olympic Games showing.

Final Score: ITA 2, KOR 1.


Men's Football/Match 23, Group D

BRA vs. NGR

Brazil Builds Momentum in Men's Olympic Football

Before a crowd of 55,650 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla., co-favorite Brazil continued to build momentum toward the men's Olympic football gold medal. The Brazilians defeated Nigeria 1-0 on Thursday night to earn first place in Group D and advance to the quarterfinals of the Olympic football tournament.

Both Brazil (2-1-0) and Nigeria (2-1-0) advanced to quarterfinal play. Brazil will face Ghana in Miami on Sunday while Nigeria takes on Mexico in Birmingham, Ala. Brazil entered the Olympic tourney as the heavy favorites, but suffered an embarrassing 1-0 opening round loss to Japan last Sunday (21 July). The defending World Cup champions rebounded with wins over Hungary and Nigeria heading into single-elimination play. Brazil's winning score came from RONALDINHO on a low line shot just inside the right goalpost.

Final Score: BRA 1, NGR 0.


Men's Football/Match 24, Group D

JPN vs. HUM

Japan Tops Hungary, But Does Not Advance in Men's Olympic Football

Japan found itself as the odd team out Thursday night despite a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hungary (0-3-0) in men's Olympic football at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Japan (2-1-0) finished in a three-way tie for first in Group D with Brazil and Nigeria, but did not advance to the quarterfinals based on goal differential.

Masakiyo MAEZONO scored two goals -- the first a penalty kick in the 38th minute --while timely substitute Kenichi UEMURA scored in the 90th minute, off a corner kick by MAEZONO, after entering the contest one minute earlier. Tamas SANDOR and Csaba MADAR accounted for Hungary's scoring.

Final Score: JPN 3, HUN 2.


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.