Greece suffer second defeat
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Article summary
Greece suffered another loss in the Olympic Games women's football tournament but Germany are through.
Article body
Hosts Greece suffered a second successive defeat in the latest round of matches in the Olympic Games women's football tournament, losing 1-0 to Australia in Group G, but Germany went through to the quarter-finals without playing.
Garriock goal
Xanthi Konstantinidou's team lost 3-0 to the United States on Wednesday and slipped to another defeat at the Pankritiou stadium, Australia's Heather Garriock scoring the only goal of the game in the 27th minute.
Second-half strikes
Elsewhere in the section, second-half strikes from Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach gave the United States a 2-0 win against Brazil that gave the American side a quarter-final place. The group is concluded on Tuesday as Greece face Brazil needing a win to have any chance of a top-three finish in the sole four-team group and a quarter-final slot, while the US are Australia's opponents.
Germany progress
The other two European sides in the women's section were not in action today, but Germany progressed as in Group F, China drew 1-1 with Mexico to ensure the world champions a top-two place in the three-team group. China's Ting Ji scored a 34th-minute equaliser to cancel out Maribel Dominguez goal that had given Mexico an eleventh-minute lead. Germany, who defeated China 8-0 in their first match, meet the Mexicans on Tuesday.
Duo through
In Sweden's Group E, Vera Okolo scored the only goal ten minutes after half-time as Nigeria defeated Japan to seal their place in the last eight. However, Japan's three points against Sweden means they are also through as at worst they will be the best third-placed team from the two three-nation groups. Sweden play Nigeria on Tuesday needing a draw to join their group rivals in progressing.