Tokyo 2020- U.S. and Canada set to clash in the Soccer Semis
The stage is set for a North American semi-final as the U.S women’s soccer team goes up against Canada women’s soccer team in the semi-finals after both teams qualify on penalties.
American goalkeeper proved to be a saviour as she prevented the Dutch side from progressing by stopping spot-kicks from Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema and Dutch defender Aniek Nouwen in a truly dramatic thriller of a game.
The game which ended 4-2 on penalties saw the American side move past the Netherlands into the semifinals.
Australia beat Britain 4-3 after extra time in their quarter-final and next face Sweden, who maintained their perfect record in the tournament with a 3-1 win over hosts Japan.
Goals from Magdalena Eriksson, Stina Blackstenius, and Kosovare Asllani ensured Sweden’s bid to improve on their Rio 2016 silver medal remained intact.
Megan Rapinoe made it four out of four from the spot for the U.S. as the four-time gold medallists set up a clash with their North American neighbors Canada in Monday’s first semi-final.
The result brings a sense of relief for the U.S. who saw their Rio 2016 campaign cut short in a shootout by Sweden at the same stage, leaving them without a medal at a major tournament for the first time.
They bounced back with a fourth World Cup triumph in 2019 and are now firm favorites for the Olympic gold in Tokyo, having knocked out the free-scoring Dutch.
PERFECT CHANCE
Netherlands’ Arsenal forward Miedema has been the player of the tournament so far and netted twice to become the first female player to score 10 goals at a single Olympic Games.
The Netherlands had the perfect opportunity to seal victory in the 81st minute when Kelley O’Hara gave away a penalty but Lieke Martens’ shot was saved by Naeher.
“This team always believes we will find a way to win,” Naeher said. “The way this team came together, kept fighting, playing for each other, pushing and pushing and pushing for 120 minutes.
“That was a true team effort and team win.”
Canada needed goalkeeping heroics of their own to reach the semi-finals for the third consecutive Games as Stephanie Labbe stopped two Brazilian spot-kicks en route to a 4-3 shootout win.
After Canada captain Christine Sinclair’s penalty was saved by Barbara, Labbe rescued her side with two spectacular stops to keep out Brazil’s final two spot-kicks from Andressa and Rafaelle.