Defending champs USA beat NZ in Olympics women’s football
Defending champions the United States came right when it mattered most when they thrashed New Zealand 4-0 in a must-win women’s Olympic football match here Tuesday.
The United States startled the New Zealanders with a goal in the opening minute by Heather O’Reilly, announcing they had hit their straps and were in no mood to let up.
After indifferent performances in their opening two matches the US could not afford to lose against the outsiders New Zealanders who also knew a win would ensure them a berth in the quarter-finals.
Early tournament form suggest an upset was possible but the way the United States started it was clear they knew they had to perform.
After O’Reilly’s quickfire opening goal New Zealand had no option but to throw everything into an attacking game, and the United States were not prepared to close ranks and protect their lead with a defensive game.
The US-born New Zealand goalkeeper Jenny Bindon, who impressed in the 1-0 loss to Group G leaders Norway, was kept under constant pressure.
Shannon Boxx, Lindsay Tarpley and Amy Rodriguez all went close in the first half until just before the interval striker Rodriguez latched on to a through ball behind the New Zealand defence and easily fired past Bindon.
The United States continued Bindon’s nightmare in the second half and were rewarded in the 56th minute when the New Zealand ‘keeper was drawn well away from the goal and a regulation cross was botched by the defence allowing Tarpley the simplest of goals.
Four minutes later a Marlies Oostdam shot hit the bar and Angela Hucles slammed in the rebound to put the United States 4-0 ahead.