Women’s Olympic Tournament
Brazil striker Cristiane pounced on a poor clearance late on to break New Zealand hearts with a 1-0 win at the Millennium Stadium, Wales.
New Zealand had frustrated Brazil thanks to a disciplined defensive display in the Women’s Olympic Tournament Group E encounter and looked set to hold the Samba Queens to a goalless draw.
But stiker Cristiane, who plays her club football with Russian club WFC Rossiyank, calmly lobbed Ferns’ goalkeeper Jenny Bindon after her punch went straight to the Brazilian.
“New Zealand are a very good team, very organised,” said match-winner Cristiane. “Nobody said any of these matches at the Olympics were going to be easy.”
The victory meant Brazil, silver medallists at the last two Olympics, made it two wins out of two at London 2012 after thrashing Cameroon 5-0 in their opening game.
Women’s World Cup holders Japan failed to capitalise on their territorial dominance and were held to a goalless draw by Sweden in their Group F clash at the City of Coventry Stadium.
Japan had enough chances to have won comfortably but were let down by poor finishing and some fine saves from Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.
After the match, Japan captain Aya Miyama said: “We are not very happy. We want to get a gold medal and win all our matches so we are quite disappointed.”
Also in Group F Canada proved too strong for South Africa, winning 3-0 thanks to two goals from captain Christine Sinclair and one from fellow forward Melissa Tancredi.
