ACOG - News - IBM

(23 July 1996; Day 4)

United States, China Meet in Women's Football Showdown

The U.S. women's Olympic football squad will advance to Sunday's 28 July semifinal round following a 2-1 victory over Sweden at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Tuesday. But before they can look forward to Sunday, they must get by China to keep their medal momentum building.

The two square off against each other on Thursday, 25 July, in the final preliminary match for both teams. The meeting will take place at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. Like the United States, China holds a 2-0-0 record among Group E teams and will advance to semifinal play on Sunday.

China may be one of the emerging faces in women's football. Since hosting the inaugural women's World Cup in 1991, China has shown steady improvement. Last year, the Chinese squad made it to the semifinals of the FIFA Women's World Championships after advancing to the quarterfinals in 1991.

The United States is favored behind Norway for gold medal honors. But to earn a shot at Norway, the U.S. squad will have to perform well against China. The U.S., despite its victory over Sweden, may have suffered a setback when star forward Mia HAMM left the field with an apparent ankle or leg injury on Tuesday. The severity of the injury was not immediately known. HAMM collided with Swedish goalkeeper Annelie NILSSON while going for a header in the 81st minute.

Should HAMM be healthy for Thursday's China match, the United States will be looking to extend a winning streak that has stretched to 15 consecutive games. The U.S. team is 19-1-1 for the year. A victory over China should provide them the necessary momentum to carry them to the gold medal game on 1 August in Athens, Georgia.

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


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