In a summer where it feels like the women are just playing non-stop international games, it was finally time for the women’s Olympic Football tournament to start.
Group A – results
- Canada – New Zealand (2-1)
- France – Colombia (3-2)
Group B – results
- Germany – Australia (3-0)
- USA – Zambia (3-0)
Group C – results
- Spain vs. Japan (2-1)
- Nigeria vs. Brazil (0-1)
Game Summaries
Canada – New Zealand
After all the controversy regarding the drone-gate before the match from Canada vs. New Zealand it was finally time to just start playing football. Mackenzie Barry gave New Zealand the lead, from a training-ground corner. She collected the ball at the edge of the six yard box, and managed to half-volley the ball into the back of the net. For a long time it seemed that New Zealand would go into half-time with a 1-0 lead, however in the dying seconds of the first half Canada produced a wonderfully tiki-taka goal, which was finished of by Arsenal’s Cloe Lacasse to level the score. In the second half it was mainly one-way-traffic as Canada pushed for a second goal, but New Zealands defence with standout Stott and goalkeeper Leat managed to hold on for a very long time. However, in the 79th minute it was Evelyne Viens who fired the ball into the goal to secure the 3 points for team Canada.
France – Colombia
France started their home euroes against Colombia, and everything seemed to roll smoothly for the French. Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored twice in the first half, and a wonderful strike from the edge of the box from Kenza Dali saw the French leading comfortably with 3-0. However, after the break Colombia found a way back into the match as Cataline Usme pulled one back from a penalty, and not long after Manuela Pavi reduced the deficit to only one goal. Colombia seemed to have all the momentum, however a direct red card for Mayra Ramirez stopped the Colombian comeback. The red card was not only game-changing in this game, but it will be very hard for the Colombian team to play without their star striker in the upcoming game/games.
Germany – Australia
Will it be this time that Australia finally manages to end a tournament with some silverware, instead of the dreaded fourth place? Well, in this game success for the Matildas looked even further away than ever. Without star striker Sam Kerr, who is still recovering from an ACL, the Australians never got a foothold up top. Gustavsson chose to start with Vine as the number 9, however as this is not her natural position, she couldn’t hold on to the ball with Hendrich and Hegering as strong defenders. Michelle Heyman was left on the bench for too long, and once she entered the pitch and Australia was finally able to have a focal point up top, the game was already played (3-0 Germany). Marina Hegering and Lea Schuller both scored for the Germans from a corner. On both occassions there was absolutely nobody defending the goalscorer, so set-piece defending was quite shocking. Quickly after the 2-0 Jule Brand managed to find the goal for the Germans another time to wrap up the victory. If the Germans had shot with a bit more accuracy, the score line could have put the Australians into even a deeper hole to get up from.
USA – Zambia
In Emma Hayes’ first Olympic Games as a USA head coach, the team showed inmediately what they are all about. From the start, it was one-way traffic to the Zambian goal. Rodman, Smith, Horan all missed opportunities or hit the wood-work, before the deadlock was broken by Rodman in the 17th minute. Shortly after, Swanson managed to score twice in as many as 60 seconds, to give the USA a comfortable 3-0 lead before half-time. To make things worse for the Zambian team, Zulu got awarded a straight red-card (a bit harsh). The only worry for team USA was that Smith had to be substituted just before half-time with an ankle injury. The second half was mainly one-way-traffic again, but the scoreline didn’t change.
Spain – Japan
Spain are making their Olympic debut at the women’s football tournament, but are straightaway contenders to win it all. After a big loss to Japan at the World Cup last year, the Spanish team was determined to not let that happen again, however it was Japan once again who had the first good opportunity as they countered, and managed to get behind Spain’s last line. This seemed to be a replica of what happened at the World Cup, however Cata Coll managed to push the ball out of the goal. Shortly after, Japan scored an absolute wonderful free kick (Fujino) to give them the lead against Spain once again. This time though, it wasn’t Japan’s day as Aitana Bonmatí managed to stay on side, and scored the equalizer. Spain had 70% possession at one point during the game, as Japan defended very well. Mariona Caldentey though, was once again the player that got Spain out of trouble. A swift combination saw here in a penalty area full of Japanese players, still managing to find the corner for the Spain lead. Beside the loss, a more worrying sign for Japan was the injury to Risa Shimizu, she had to be stretchered off after an off-the-ball twist in her right knee. Both Japan and Manchester City will hold their breath, and pray the injury is not as serious as it looked.
Nigeria – Brazil
In a group with Spain and Japan, it felt like this was a crucial game to see who might progress into the quarterfinals. It was an open game, where both teams fought really hard, but it was Brazil who scored the opening goal. A minute earlier a goal by Marta was canceled out by an offside call, but straight after an absolutely incredible strike by Gabi Nunes gave the Brazialians the lead. The second half was very closely contested, however the Brazilians managed to hold on and grab up some crucial three points.
