ID :
15153
Wed, 08/06/2008 - 19:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/15153
The shortlink copeid
Olympics: Sawa rescues draw for Japan in Olympic opener
QINHUANGDAO, China, Aug. 6 Kyodo - Homare Sawa snatched a late equalizer to rescue a point for Japan in a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in the women's soccer competition at the Beijing Olympics
on Wednesday.
Japan looked to be heading for a shock opening defeat to the Kiwis at Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium but veteran midfielder Sawa popped up with the crucial goal when she hooked in Aya Miyama's free kick at the near post in the dying stages.
Defending Olympic champions the United States play 2000 Sydney Games gold
medalists Norway in the second game here later in the day.
New Zealand were hammered 6-0 the last time these two teams met back in 2005
but it was the All Whites that dominated the opening 15 minutes with striker
Emma Kete proving to be a handful for the Japanese defense.
The first real chance fell to Japan on 33 minutes, Shinobu Ono running onto a
deep pass from Yuki Nagasato to bring an excellent save out of Jenny Bindon,
but it was tournament debutantes New Zealand that took a shock lead courtesy of
some sloppy defending.
Alexandra Riley pounced on a poor pass from Miyuki Yanagita and whipped over a
right-wing cross for Kirsty Yallop to sneak in behind Yukari Kinga at the far
post and prod the ball home.
Japan were fortunate not to fall further behind five minutes after the break
when goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto atoned for a miscued clearance with a save from
the lively Riley.
However, Japan were dealt another blow when South African referee Deidre
Mitchell booked both Mizuho Sakaguchi and Azusa Iwashimizu for no apparent
reason and pointed the spot. Amber Hearn stepped up to blast the penalty
straight down the middle to spark more jubilant scenes on the New Zealand
bench.
Ono and Miyama were both denied by the impressive Bindon but Japan were given a
lifeline when the latter reduced the arrears after Abby Erceg had bundled over
Sakaguchi.
Japan on Saturday take on the U.S. looking to avenge their 2-1 defeat in the
Athens Olympic quarterfinals.
on Wednesday.
Japan looked to be heading for a shock opening defeat to the Kiwis at Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium but veteran midfielder Sawa popped up with the crucial goal when she hooked in Aya Miyama's free kick at the near post in the dying stages.
Defending Olympic champions the United States play 2000 Sydney Games gold
medalists Norway in the second game here later in the day.
New Zealand were hammered 6-0 the last time these two teams met back in 2005
but it was the All Whites that dominated the opening 15 minutes with striker
Emma Kete proving to be a handful for the Japanese defense.
The first real chance fell to Japan on 33 minutes, Shinobu Ono running onto a
deep pass from Yuki Nagasato to bring an excellent save out of Jenny Bindon,
but it was tournament debutantes New Zealand that took a shock lead courtesy of
some sloppy defending.
Alexandra Riley pounced on a poor pass from Miyuki Yanagita and whipped over a
right-wing cross for Kirsty Yallop to sneak in behind Yukari Kinga at the far
post and prod the ball home.
Japan were fortunate not to fall further behind five minutes after the break
when goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto atoned for a miscued clearance with a save from
the lively Riley.
However, Japan were dealt another blow when South African referee Deidre
Mitchell booked both Mizuho Sakaguchi and Azusa Iwashimizu for no apparent
reason and pointed the spot. Amber Hearn stepped up to blast the penalty
straight down the middle to spark more jubilant scenes on the New Zealand
bench.
Ono and Miyama were both denied by the impressive Bindon but Japan were given a
lifeline when the latter reduced the arrears after Abby Erceg had bundled over
Sakaguchi.
Japan on Saturday take on the U.S. looking to avenge their 2-1 defeat in the
Athens Olympic quarterfinals.
