August 10 – Tournament favourites Brazil and the USA both drew their final pool games but topped their groups to go through to the quarter-finals of the Women’s Olympic tournament. Canada topped their group to maintain a 100% win record beating European champions Germany 2-1.
In the battle for confederation bragging rights, the final eight sees three teams from UEFA, two from both of the AFC and CONCACAF regions and one from CONMEBOL.
The US remain Olympic favourites after a set of group games in which they were rarely troubled, though they did let their guard slip against Colombia who scored a last-minute equaliser to gain their first ever Olympic point.
But Brazil will be chasing the US hard and face an Australian team that may be starting to find form after dispatching Zimbabwe 6-1 in their final group game. The winners will likely face the US in the semi-finals.
Brazil’s women can be guaranteed of passionate support, perhaps unlike their men, and although failing to score in their final sell-out game in Manaus, have the brilliance of Marta to bring something a bit special to any match,
On the other side of the draw Canada will be the favourites on form to beat France, part of a European contingent who have failed to find their feet in the competition.
France look the strongest of the European teams qualified. Germany and Sweden scraped through their groups.
China are emerging as an outsider in the competition and have a good opportunity to make the semi finals if they can beat a German team that started with an emphatic win but has struggled subsequently.
The quarter finals will all be played August 12.
Quarter final matches
Brazil vs Australia – Belo Horizonte
United States vs Sweden -Brasilia
China vs Germany – Salvador
Canada vs France – Sao Paulo
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