Group C favorites the US and Sweden advanced to the quarter-finals of the women’s soccer World Cup on Saturday, beating Colombia 3-0 and North Korea 1-0 respectively.
The demolition of the South Americans puts the US top of Group C ahead of Sweden on goal difference with both sides unbeaten after two games and going head to head for group supremacy in Wolfsburg on Wednesday. They join France and Germany, who have already reached the knock-out round from Group A, with Japan going through in Group B.
Although the world No. 1 team overwhelmed the Colombian debutantes with goals from Heather O’Reilly (12), Megan Rapinoe (50) and Carli Lloyd (57), the scoreline belied a string of missed opportunities by the US.
“We didn’t finish our chances, but as long as we create chances I’m happy that we will put them away eventually and we did in the second half,” said Swedish-born US coach Pia Sundhage.
“The advantage for the US is that we’ve been winning gold, silver and bronze medals since 1991 [the first World Cup]. This is something that we can call up when we’re pushed into a corner.”
The US, winners in 1991 and 1999, beat North Korea 2-0 in their opener.
The South Americans could have been further behind at half-time but for some big saves from Colombian goalie Sandra Sepulveda.
Star US striker Abby Wambach had a bad day, missing numerous chances for the reigning Olympic champions, but O’Reilly made no mistake after 12 minutes, slamming past the beleaguered Sepulveda with a glorious effort from distance.
For the goal celebration, the entire US team lined up and saluted US military personnel among the sell-out 25,475 crowd who had traveled from bases in nearby Heidelberg in southwestern Germany.
Rapinoe came on as a second-half substitute and five minutes later she found the net with another substitute Stephanie Cox setting up Lloyd for the third.
Sweden, the 2003 finalists, had to wait for Lisa Dahlkvist’s 64th-minute goal to see off North Korea in front of 23,768 spectators in Augsburg earlier.
North Korea’s defense held up well before three Swedish midfielders helped give the Europeans the lead in the 64th minute.
Linda Forsberg sent a diagonal cross from the left side to the far post where Therese Sjogran volleyed back across the goal mouth and Dahlkvist blasted in from four yards.
Colombia and North Korea crash out of the tournament after losing both their games and will play each other in their final group game on Wednesday with nothing but pride at stake.
“This team is very young and they are inexperienced in such a competition as this,” North Korea coach Kim Kwang-min said. “But this World Cup will have taught them a lot of lessons. In four years time they will be stronger.”
The competition continued yesterday with Group D leaders Brazil and Norway looking to gain a foothold in the knock-out round in Wolfsburg as Australia and Equatorial Guinea squared off looking for their first points in Bochum.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and