by Tiffany Weimer
Day three concluded group play for all teams and determined exactly what the quarterfinals would look like. Here’s a recap of what happened:
Japan vs. South Africa
If world rankings had anything to do with the outcome of matches, a 0-0 draw between Japan (3) and South Africa (61) would never happen.
But as we found out later in the day, there was a plan behind Japan’s lack of scoring:
According to the Associated Press:
“It was the coach’s instruction that we wanted to stay in Cardiff and come second in the group, so I knew that the bench were getting information about the other match and I had been told,” Japan defender Azusa Iwashimizu said. “It is something we needed to do in order to get a medal.”
That would explain why seven of the 11 starters from the previous game were on the bench and why they were lobbing balls in from the flanks as if they were a bigtime aerial team all of a sudden.
Disheartening to say the least. Japan was hoping to avoid France, but with an unexpected turn of events, Brazil lost to Great Britain and now Japan will face Brazil in the quarterfinals.
Nevertheless, South Africa stuck to their game plan and did everything they could to not allow Japan to score.
In doing so, South Africa will go home with their first-ever Olympic point.
My opinion: regardless if Japan were trying to score or not, I don’t think that’s something a coach or a player should admit to the press. South Africa needed that tie for much more than to play a less difficult team and to stay in the same city and my hope is that it doesn’t affect the support they receive once they return home.
U.S. vs. North Korea
In another chippy match for the U.S., North Korea came out looking to clinch their place in the next round, while the U.S. had already advanced. A 25th minute goal by Abby Wambach ensured the U.S. would go undefeated in group play for the first time since the 2003 World Cup.
Alex Morgan received a chipped ball in the box that she was able to take out of the air, then split two defenders to find an open Wambach who had time to easily slot the ball in the side netting.
North Korea brought the intensity against the U.S. though. Of the three teams the U.S. faced in group play, the North Koreans seemed to be the most fit, able to last a full 90 at what seemed to be 100 miles an hour.
Aside from an 81st minute red card to North Korea’s Mi Gyong Choe, and a handful of unnecessary fouls, I would say it was a good showing for a very young team.
For the U.S., it was refreshing to see how comfortable left back Kelly O’Hara looked. She won tackles on the flank and got forward when she was able to. She looked like a natural.
The U.S. attack didn’t look as dangerous as it has in the past. For the next few matches, they’ll need to find that rhythm again and play more 1 and 2 touch soccer in the final third.
Here are game reports from rest of the matches:
Canada vs. Sweden: By Ciara McCormack
Great Britain vs. Brazil: By Eleri Earnshaw
France vs. Colombia: By Matteo Marzoli
New Zealand vs. Cameroon: By JJ Duke
With the way things ended today, here are the quarterfinal matchups:
Friday August 3rd
- 7:00am
Sweden vs. France - 9:30am
United States vs. New Zealand - 12pm
Brazil vs. Japan - 2:30pm
Great Britain vs. Canada