Women's football powers gains Olympic opening victories
Xinhua, August 4, 2016 Adjust font size:
All the title favorites of Rio Olympics women's football tournament won their first game here on Wednesday. Neither China nor Australia became the dark-horse till now.
The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup winner USA started its gold medal defense with a 2-0 win over New Zealand in Belo Horizonte. Carli Lloyd's header broke the deadlock in the first minute and Alex Morgan increased their advantage just after the break.
Twice world champions Germany began to fight for its first Olympic gold medal with an easy 6-1 win over Zimbabwe. Although tThe African team has almost been out of the tournament, but Kudakwashe Basopo brought the first goal to the rookies.
In Rio De Janeiro, Marta Vieira da Silva's two fatal pass help the host defeat China 3-0 in the Olympic stadium. The superstar who ever snatched FIFA women's world player of the year five times in a row, destroyed Chinese women's defense.
Defender Monica opened the scoring in the first half before Andressa Alves finished off a fine move, with Cristiane extending her record as leading goal-scorer in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament with her 13th goal across four competitions.
One of the best team all over the world, Sweden scored only once to win the rematch of 2012 Olympics first game. South Africa will face up China who still aimed to enter the last 8 by doing better in the second and third group games.
In the other two games played on Wednesday, Canada beat Australia 2-0, and France smashed Colombia 4-0. The second round of the group stage will start on Saturday. Endit