NST Online: Sports

Posted: 11 Jul 2011 08:09 AM PDT

DRESDEN: Sweden and the United States booked the final two tickets to the Women's World Cup semi-finals on Sunday as the Brazil of Fifa's five-time World Player of the Year Marta were eliminated.

The United States needed a tense 5-3 penalty shootout to get past the South Americans in Dresden after the match ended 2-2 after extra-time, and will next meet France for a place in the final.

Earlier Sweden, the only unbeaten team left in the tournament, outclassed Australia 3-1 in Augsburg and next play Japan, who eliminated two-time winners Germany on Saturday.

"Everyone is really sad which is normal after a defeat like that where you lose in the last minute," said Brazil coach Kleiton Lima.

"The girls threw everything into trying to win, we have tried to console them, but it will take time to get over this."

US coach Pia Sundhage added: "I come from Sweden, but this core American value of bringing the best out of one another is infectious. I'm very proud and happy to be coach of the US."

US defender Alex Krieger hit the winning penalty after her goalkeeper Hope Solo had earlier saved from Brazil's Daiane to give her side the advantage in the shoot-out.

On the final whistle, American striker Abby Wambach had kept her side in the quarter-final with a dramatic header in the 122nd minute to level the scores after Brazil star Marta had scored in the 92nd minute.

The game went into extra-time with the scores 1-1 as an own-goal by defender Daiane after just two minutes was cancelled out by playmaker Marta's penalty on 68 minutes which she converted at the second attempt.

The US had been reduced to 10 players when defender Rachel Buehler was sent off just moments before.

Sweden, who beat the United States 2-1 to finish top of Group C, dominated their clash against an inexperienced Australian side.

Therese Sjogran and Lisa Dahlkvist put the Swedes ahead within 16 minutes before Ellyse Perry marked her first World Cup match by getting one back five minutes before the break.

Lotta Schelin finished off the contest after 52 minutes after poor Australian defending allowed the Swedish striker to round goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri and coolly slot into the empty goal.

Swedish coach Thomas Dennerby said his side would need to improve against Japan, a team they have played twice but not beaten this year.

"We don't have very good memories of playing against them (Japan), but we hope to do better this time," he said." -- AFP

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Falcao fires Colombia into last eight

Posted: 11 Jul 2011 08:07 AM PDT

SANTA FE: Colombia marched into the quarter-finals of the Copa America on Sunday after a 2-0 win over Bolivia wrapped up top spot in Group A.

With the best two third-placed finishers at the event also reaching the quarters Colombia's win spelt joy for Chile, Peru and Venezuela as they all have four points and cannot now be caught by the side which will take third spot in Group A.

That team will be either hosts Argentina or Costa Rica.

One of that pair will take runners-up spot and the side left in third cannot equal the tally of Chile, Peru or Venezuela, allowing that trio to join Colombia in the next phase.

Porto hitman Radamel Falcao put the contest to bed in the first half hour with a crisp opener on 14 minutes and a penalty after 26 minutes as the Colombians hit the ground running.

Colombian coach Hernan Dario Gomez said his side had stuck to their game plan and been rewarded.

"We put them under early pressure, went out for the early goal, and we got it," Gomez noted.

Colombia's Wigan star Hugo Rodallega was also pleased.

"We are extremely satisfied with how the group phase has gone. We came to Argentina with a goal (to qualify from the group) and we have done just that."

The cafeteros had already seen off Costa Rica and had the better of a draw with hosts Argentina.

They completed an impressive first phase showing against a Bolivian side who started well enough in holding the Argentinians before flunking their Costa Rican test.

After Falcao's rip-roaring opening, Adrian Ramos, Freddy Guarin and Dayro Moreno all went close for the Colombians as they threatened to overwhelm their rivals before they took their foot off the accelerator after the break.

After Falcao sent his spotkick hard and low past Bolivian keeper Carlos Arias, who had saved a penalty in the previous game gainst the Costa Ricans, the Colombians celebrated by holding aloft a shirt belonging to David Ospina, their usual first choice keeper.

Ospina, who plays for French side Nice, missed the event after fracturing his nose in a training ground collision with Wigan's Rodallega, forcing the Colombians to promote Nelson Ramos of Millonarios. -- AFP

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Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Isnin, 11 Julai 2011

NST Online: Sports

NST Online: Sports

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