Argentina down defensive Olyroos
Monday, 11 August 2008
SHANGHAI, Aug. 10 (Xinhua): Argentina ground out a 1-0 victory against a defensive-minded Australia side to qualify for the knockout stage after two consecutive wins at the Beijing Olympic men's soccer tournament here Sunday.
Striker Ezequiel Lavezzi took the winner in the 77th minute with a well-taken volley at the far post following substitute forward Angel Di Maria's cunning cross left him unmarked in the box.
Playmaker Juan Riquelme initiated the move with a sudden wall pass with Lionel Messi in the midfield before cut the ball to Di Maria.
After the win, Argentina become the first of all sixteen teams to seal a ticket in the last eight with six points. The Olyroos collected only a single point after two matches.
The Argentines found it hard to break through a well-organized Australian defence for most part of the game. Australia boss Graham Arnold's defensive tactics functioned well facing their much stronger opponents.
Argentina dominated the match from the very beginning. Riquelme made some good organization and Messi was the most dangerous weapon against the Olyroos.
Sergio Aguero's foray in the eighth minute created space for Messi, but the super star's shot inside the area went high over the bar. Six minutes later Messi beat three challenges to thrust into the box before firing a small-angel shot to be denied by keeper Adam Federici.
Riquelme also had two great chances in the first period, but his freekick went just a little bit wide before another shot following Aguero's back-heel pass inside the box was blocked by Federici.
The Albiceleste piled on the pressure after the break, and before their efforts were rewarded, Riquelme, Javier Mascherano, and Messi all had chances to score.
The Aussies' best chance came in the 72rd minute, when substitute striker Nikita Rukavytsya burst down the left wing before firing a small angel shot to hit the side net.
Striker Ezequiel Lavezzi took the winner in the 77th minute with a well-taken volley at the far post following substitute forward Angel Di Maria's cunning cross left him unmarked in the box.
Playmaker Juan Riquelme initiated the move with a sudden wall pass with Lionel Messi in the midfield before cut the ball to Di Maria.
After the win, Argentina become the first of all sixteen teams to seal a ticket in the last eight with six points. The Olyroos collected only a single point after two matches.
The Argentines found it hard to break through a well-organized Australian defence for most part of the game. Australia boss Graham Arnold's defensive tactics functioned well facing their much stronger opponents.
Argentina dominated the match from the very beginning. Riquelme made some good organization and Messi was the most dangerous weapon against the Olyroos.
Sergio Aguero's foray in the eighth minute created space for Messi, but the super star's shot inside the area went high over the bar. Six minutes later Messi beat three challenges to thrust into the box before firing a small-angel shot to be denied by keeper Adam Federici.
Riquelme also had two great chances in the first period, but his freekick went just a little bit wide before another shot following Aguero's back-heel pass inside the box was blocked by Federici.
The Albiceleste piled on the pressure after the break, and before their efforts were rewarded, Riquelme, Javier Mascherano, and Messi all had chances to score.
The Aussies' best chance came in the 72rd minute, when substitute striker Nikita Rukavytsya burst down the left wing before firing a small angel shot to hit the side net.