USA raced to their 3rd straight win in women's football at the Olympics. The three-time gold medal winners are now on nine points, having also beaten France and Colombia, and will play on Friday against New Zealand, who took one of the two best third-placed berths.
The U.S. victory at Manchester United's stadium was far more comfortable than the final scoreline suggests.
Pia Sundhage's team, who had already clinched a place in the last eight, were rarely caused problems by a hard-working but tactically negative North Korea team.
The Koreans, who finished third in Group G with three points, must wait to see if they will progress as one of the two third-placed teams with the best record.
The U.S. went close to opening the scoring in the fifth minute when Wambach and Carli Lloyd linked up well to put in Alex Morgan whose low shot was tipped around the post by North Korea keeper O Chang-ran.
The influential Wambach continued to stretch the North Korean defence and in the 15th minute she burst down the left flank and slipped the ball inside to Morgan, who turned sharply and fired a low shot against the post.
It was no surprise when that combination gave the Americans the advantage, Morgan bringing down a long ball into the area from Lloyd, turning well again and sliding a smart pass to Wambach who made no mistake.
From then on it was 'game management' mode from the U.S. while North Korea, who needed a draw to be sure of reaching the quarter-finals, frantically sought a way back into the game without ever throwing many players forward.
The North Koreans were reduced to 10 players in the 81st minute when Choe Mi Gyong was sent off for a second yellow card following a reckless challenge on Lauren Cheney.
The U.S. victory at Manchester United's stadium was far more comfortable than the final scoreline suggests.
Pia Sundhage's team, who had already clinched a place in the last eight, were rarely caused problems by a hard-working but tactically negative North Korea team.
The Koreans, who finished third in Group G with three points, must wait to see if they will progress as one of the two third-placed teams with the best record.
The U.S. went close to opening the scoring in the fifth minute when Wambach and Carli Lloyd linked up well to put in Alex Morgan whose low shot was tipped around the post by North Korea keeper O Chang-ran.
The influential Wambach continued to stretch the North Korean defence and in the 15th minute she burst down the left flank and slipped the ball inside to Morgan, who turned sharply and fired a low shot against the post.
It was no surprise when that combination gave the Americans the advantage, Morgan bringing down a long ball into the area from Lloyd, turning well again and sliding a smart pass to Wambach who made no mistake.
From then on it was 'game management' mode from the U.S. while North Korea, who needed a draw to be sure of reaching the quarter-finals, frantically sought a way back into the game without ever throwing many players forward.
The North Koreans were reduced to 10 players in the 81st minute when Choe Mi Gyong was sent off for a second yellow card following a reckless challenge on Lauren Cheney.
No comments:
Post a Comment