Sweden seal semi-final spot
Friday, August 20, 2004
Article summary
First-half goals from Hanna Ljungberg and Sara Larsson earned Sweden's women an Olympic semi-final with Brazil.
Article body
Sweden set up a meeting with Brazil in the Olympic women's football tournament semi-finals with a 2-1 victory against Australia at the Panthessaliko stadium in Volos.
Crucial spell
Two goals in six first-half minutes from Hanna Ljungberg and Sara Larsson were the basis for victory, although substitute Lisa De Vanna revived Australian hopes eleven minutes from time. The Scandinavian side held on however, to set up a repeat of the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup quarter-final against Brazil.
Emphatic victory
The South American side crushed Mexico 5-0, with Cristiane and Formiga scoring in the first half before both finding the net again, together with Marta, in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Mexico ended the match with ten men as Maribel Dominguez was sent off with five minutes left to play.
European hopes
Sweden against Brazil takes place on Monday at the Pampeloponnisiako stadium in Patras, with world champions Germany meeting the United States in the first semi-final earlier the same day.
