Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Brasilia: China set up a mouthwatering quarter-final showdown against Germany after a 0-0 draw with Sweden saw them finish second in Group E at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament on Tuesday (local time).
The stalemate helped both China and Sweden take their points tally to four, three behind table-topping Brazil, but crucially Bruno Bini’s charges were able to edge out their European counterparts thanks to a superior goal difference.
The Chinese will now face Germany in Salvador on Friday (local time), while Sweden also progressed as - along with Australia - one of the two best third-placed sides.
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil Q | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| ** China Q** | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
| Sweden Q | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 4 |
| ** **South Africa** ** | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 1 |
Given what was on offer at Brasilia’s Estadio Nacional, it was perhaps little surprise that the game endured a cautious opening, with the first opportunity falling to Sweden captain Lotta Schelin whose poked effort from the left of the penalty area was smothered well by onrushing China goalkeeper Zhao Lina on eight minutes.
With genuine goalmouth action at a premium, China, silver medalists at Atlanta in 1996, slowly found their feet but came close to going behind on 35 minutes when Caroline Seger’s cross come shot forced Zhao to react smartly and parry the ball away for a corner.
The first period drew to close with Olivia Schough’s header rarely threatening to trouble the impressive Zhao as China went into the break with their quarter-final aspirations still intact.
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