Group Play Ends with a Bracket-Breaking Day

By Kara McDermott
New Zealand beat Cameroon 3-1 in the last round of group play. That was the only game that ended much as predicted. Upsets, low score lines from dominant teams and key draws ran rampant as the women played for a berth into the quarterfinals.

GROUP E
1. Great Britain (Pts: 9, GD: +5)
2. Brazil (Pts: 6, GD: +5)
3. New Zealand (Pts: 3, GD: 0)
4. Cameroon (Pts: 0, GD: -10)

Great Britain pulled off the upset of the tournament by beating Brazil 1-0 off of a goal by Steph Houghton in just the 2nd minute of play.

A corner kick on Brazil’s defensive end popped out near the sideline. Karen Carney gathered it up, displayed some fine footwork as she shook several defenders and knifed a pass forward back into the box for Houghton to run on to, intercepting the goalie and touching it in for an early goal that managed to stand the test of time against Brazil’s offensive machine.

It was a major victory for a team that is just getting its footing on the world stage and going undefeated in a solid group should only add to the confidence of the team, as well promote the sport at home.

New Zealand likewise had a good day with a 3-1 victory over Cameroon. The win, extra goals and help from Group F earned the Kiwis a wildcard slot in the quarterfinals. This will be the first time they have advanced out of group play in either the Olympics or a World Cup and is a great achievement for the team known for its tenacious spirit on the field.

GROUP F
1. Sweden (Pts: 5, GD: +3)
2. Japan (Pts: 5, GD: +1)
3. Canada (Pts: 4, GD: +2)
4. South Africa (Pts: 1, GD: -6)

The full moon struck Group F as well with two very surprising ties. First, South Africa, the lowest ranked team of the tournament at 61 held Japan, current World Champions ranked second in the world, to a scoreless draw. That hard-fought point should come with a trophy of its own for the ultimate underdog.

As expected, it was a narrow margin for the most contested group of this year’s Summer Games. Sweden advanced in the top spot owing to a better goal differential with Japan right on their heels.

Canada, propelled by a brace by Melissa Tancredi in the 43rd and 84th minute against powerful Sweden, earned the other wildcard slot and will also be advancing for the first time. Tancredi also has the current distinction of being the top goal scorer with four to her credit from group play. The Queen will have to sit on the 50-yard line for their next match when they take on Great Britain in the quarterfinals.

GROUP G
1. United States (Pts: 9, GD: +6)
2. France (Pts: 6, GD: +4)
3. North Korea (Pts: 3, GD: -4)
4. Colombia (Pts: 0, GD: -6)

The US outshot and outmatched the North Koreans, but only narrowly got a 1-0 win to clean up their group campaign. Korea DPR’s poor goal differential owing to a crushing 0-5 loss to France earlier put New Zealand through to the next round, so the Korean’s tournament is done. After being banned from the 2015 World Cup for doping, their next chance at a major tournament will be the 2016 Olympics.

In another narrow decision, France scored an early 5th minute goal against Colombia and then could do nothing else. France will face Sweden in the quarterfinals – a rematch of the bronze medal match of the last World Cup that went to the Swedes.

QUARTERFINAL MATCHES
All matches will take place on Friday, August 3rd. Times are PST.
E1: Great Britain vs. F3: Canada; 11:30 a.m.
G1: United States vs. E3: New Zealand; 6:30 a.m.
F1: Sweden vs. G2: France; 4:00 a.m.
E2: Brazil vs. F2: Japan; 9:00 a.m.