WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 12, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- Goal differential ended up being the story onthe final day of Group G. The United States Women advanced to the quarterfinals of the Olympic soccer tournament on Tuesday with a commanding 4-0 win over New Zealand. With Japan beating Norway 5-1, the US wins Group G on differential.
“Today was a special moment for our team," Amy Rodriguez said. "Scoring four goals was a great feeling and getting my first Olympic goal was exciting. I’m so proud of the team and how we performed out there.”
Heather O'Reilly opened the scoring in the third minute, with Rodriguez doubling the lead just before halftime. The US added a third through Lindsay Tarpley in the 57th, and Angela Hucles scored three minutes later.
"Like Pia has said and stressed so much, the more minutes we play together the better it’s going to get," midfielder Carli Lloyd said. "I know some people were skeptical about our win over Japan, but I think we’ve proven ourselves in a 4-0 game. There was some fabulous soccer. It was fun to play out there and we’re getting the job done, even though we don’t have Abby, who has been an important part of this team. We’re just going to keep growing.”
The United States now faces Canada at 6am ET on August 15th for a slot in the semifinals.
“The thing is, whoever we play against, we know we have to bring the best out of each other," US coach Pia Sundhage said. "The good part of this is that (all the matches so far in the Olympics) are different kinds of games. If we play against Brazil, we prepare for Brazil, but now we play against Canada and it’s a different preparation. That’s the fun part of being a coach, because you never know. I wouldn’t put it as easier or harder. It is different. I respect every team in this tournament. It would be arrogant for me to say one team is harder than another. The Canada match will be very hard, but still it is a challenging and a fun game.”
-- Game Report --
Match-up: USA vs. New Zealand
Competition: 2008 Olympics
Venue: Shenyang Olympic Stadium; Shenyang, China
Date: August 12, 2008; Kickoff – 7:45pm local / 7:45am ET
Attendance: 12,453
Weather: Hazy, Humid, 78 degrees
Scoring Summary:
1 2 F
USA 2 2 4
NZL 0 0 0
USA – Heather O’Reilly (Carli Lloyd) 27th minute.
USA – Amy Rodriguez (Rachel Buehler) 43.
USA – Lindsay Tarpley (unassisted) 56.
USA – Angela Hucles (Lori Chalupny) 60.
Lineups:
USA: 18-Hope Solo; 2-Heather Mitts (14-Stephanie Cox, 63), 4-Rachel Buehler, 3-Christie Rampone – Capt., 83, 17-Lori Chalupny; 9-Heather O’Reilly (10-Aly Wagner, 76), 7-Shannon Boxx, 11-Carli Lloyd, 5-Lindsay Tarpley; 16-Angela Hucles, 8-Amy Rodriguez (6-Natasha Kai, 56)
Subs not used: 1-Nicole Barnhart, 12-Lauren Cheney, 13-Tobin Heath, 15-Kate Markgraf
Head Coach: Pia Sundhage
NZL: 1-Jenny Bindon; 2-Ria Percival, 5-Abby Erceg, 6-Rebbecca Smith, 17-Marlies Oostdam (14-Kristy Hill, 64); 4-Katie Hoyle (3-Anna Green, 64), 8-Hayley Moorwood, 11-Kristy Yallop; 7-Ali Riley, 9-Amber Heam, (13-Rebecca Tegg, 74), 15-Emma Kete
Subs not used: 10-Emily McColl, 12-Merissa Smith, 7-Renee Leota, 18-Rachel Howard
Head Coach: John Herdman
Statistical Summary:
USA / NZL
Shots: 16/5
Shots on Goal: 11/3
Saves: 3/5
Corner Kicks: 4/2
Fouls: 3/5
Offsides: 2/0
Misconduct Summary:
NZL – Marlies Oostdam (caution) 46th minute.
NZL – Amber Heam (caution) 55.
Officials:
Referee: Dagmar Damkova (CZE)
Asst. Referee: Irina Mirt (ROM)
Asst. Referee: Katarzyna Nadolska (POL)
4th Official: Huijun Niu (CHN)
Sierra Mist Woman of the Match: Shannon Boxx
2008 Olympic Women’s Soccer Tournament Standings
Group G
Team W L T Pts GF GA GD
USA 2 1 0 6 5 2 +3
NOR 2 1 0 6 4 5 -1
JPN 1 1 1 4 7 1 +3
NZL 0 2 1 1 2 7 -5
Aug. 6
Japan 2, New Zealand 2
Norway 2, USA 0
Aug. 9
USA 1, Japan 0
New Zealand 0, Norway 1
Aug. 12
Norway 1. Japan 5
USA 4, New Zealand, 0
Group E
Team W L T Pts GF GA GD
CHN 2 0 1 7 5 2 +3
SWE 2 1 0 6 4 3 +1
CAN 1 1 1 4 4 4 0
ARG 0 3 0 0 1 5 -4
Aug. 6
Argentina 1, Canada 2
China 2, Sweden 1
Aug. 9
Sweden 1, Argentina 0
Canada 1, China 1
Aug. 12
China 2, Argentina 0
Sweden 2, Canada 1
Group F
Team W L T Pts GF GA GD
BRA 2 0 1 7 5 2 +3
GER 2 0 1 7 2 0 +2
PRK 1 2 0 3 2 3 -1
NGA 0 3 0 0 0 5 -5
Aug. 6
Germany 0, Brazil 0
North Korea 1, Nigeria 0
Aug. 9
Nigeria 0, Germany 1
Brazil 2, North Korea 1
Aug. 12
North Korea 0, Germany 1
Nigeria 1, Brazil 3
Quarterfinals
Aug. 15
United States vs. Canada, 6am ET
Brazil vs. Norway, 6am ET
Sweden vs. Germany 9am ET
China vs. Japan, 9am ET
Game Report and quotes courtesy of US Soccer Communications
