Women`s Football: Japan held, Brazil win

London: World Cup holders Japan failed to capitalise on their dominance and were held to a 0-0 draw by Sweden while a late goal by Cristiane helped Brazil see off New Zealand.

Japan had enough chances to have won comfortably but were let down by poor finishing and some fine saves from Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.

It means that the Swedes, beaten by Japan in the 2011 World Cup semi-finals, still head the group on goal difference from their opponents.

Brazil striker Cristiane grabbed a late winner to break New Zealand hearts at the Millennium Stadium.

The Football Ferns had frustrated Brazil thanks to a disciplined defensive display in this Group E encounter and looked set to boost Great Britain`s hopes of topping the section by holding the Samba Queens to a goalless draw.

But Cristiane calmly lobbed Jenny Bindon five minutes from time after the New Zealand keeper`s punch had gone straight to her, despite a desperate attempted clearance from Abby Erceg.

The United States secured their progress into the quarter-finals of the Women`s Olympic football tournament with a regulation 3-0 win over Colombia.

Megan Rapinoe opened the scoring with a fine dipping shot from outside the area on 32 minutes and the US would have been further ahead at the break but for two desperate goal line clearances from Colombian captain Natalia Gaitan.

Abby Wambach did eventually make the Americans` domination count 17 minutes from time and Carli Lloyd rounded off an excellent team move for the third three minutes later.

Great Britain also booked their place in the Olympic quarter-finals with an equally routine 3-0 victory over Cameroon at the Millennium Stadium.

Captain Casey Stoney set them on their way with a close-range finish in the 18th-minute, with Jill Scott adding the second five minutes later.

Steph Houghton, the heroine of the opening win over New Zealand, sealed the win with her fierce strike eight minutes from time.

And with Brazil and GB having recorded two wins from two, both sides are guaranteed a last-eight berth ahead of their meeting at Wembley on Tuesday.

Canada kept alive their hopes of qualifying from Group F as two goals from their record goalscorer Christine Sinclair helped them to a comfortable 3-0 win over bottom placed South Africa.

Their first victory means they are lying in third spot ahead of the final games - a point adrift of Japan and Sweden whom they meet on Tuesday at St James` Park.

France got their Olympic campaign back on track with a comprehensive 5-0 win over DPR Korea at Hampden Park.

BDST: 1554 HRS, July 29, 2012
Edited by
Chanchal Ghosh, Newsroom Editor