The Tokyo 2021 Olympics women football stage was set ablaze with fascinating performances from various countries at the quarter final stage.
However, some countries which were favourites, suffered disappointment as they were eliminated. On the other hand, some countries also celebrated as they advanced to the semi-finals stage of the competition.
The quarter final tie between Great Britain (GB) and Australia was expected to be an easy ride for Great Britain. However, Great Britain suffered a heart-breaking extra-time defeat in the Olympic women’s football quarter-finals as Chelsea’s Sam Kerr dealt the final blow to give Australia a dramatic victory.
In a frantic encounter, Great Britain’s Ellen White scored a hat-trick, while Manchester City team-mate Caroline Weir had a penalty saved in extra time before Australia scored twice.
The Coach of Great Britain, Hege Riise and her players were rocked when Kerr rose above GB captain Steph Houghton to head in a fourth for Australia, but Great Britain responded to set up a nail-biting finale.
Riise’s rollercoaster of emotions on the touchline were felt by those watching from home as GB went from elation to heartbreak within minutes.
Australia will face Sweden, who beat Japan 3-1, in the semi-finals on Monday.
Japan’s women’s football ambitions ended by Sweden
Japan, the host nation were knocked out in the quarter finals of the Tokyo Olympics women’s football tournament. They suffered a 3-1 loss to Sweden. Their dream of a first Olympic title on home soil shattered despite a promising show against the 2016 runners-up.
It can be recalled that that Japan scraped out of Group E in third place with a narrow 1-0 win over Chile in their final group game. However, Sweden won all three of their Group G games, including a 3-0 opening win over the top-ranked United States, and the game’s early stages reflected their results up to that point.
Stina Blackstenius’ 53rd-minute strike and Kosovare Asllani’s penalty proved too much for the host in the second half at an empty Saitama Stadium as the hosts bowed out again struggling to find the net, ending the campaign with three goals from four games.
“We had good moments but Sweden were a good team, and we weren’t good enough, the fact is we lost and we need to find something more than the weapons we already have.”
manager Asako Takakura
U.S Beat Netherlands in Shootout
Meanwhile, the U.S. women’s soccer team also beat the Netherlands Women team in a penalty kick shootout, propelling them to the semi-finals of the Olympic Games.
The win brings the U.S. team one step closer to its quest for a historic back-to-back double — winning the Olympics after emerging victorious at the Women’s World Cup. The U.S. will play Canada in the semi-finals next week.
The U.S. team has already performed better in Tokyo than it did in Rio in 2016, when it was knocked out by Sweden in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, football lovers all over the world are waiting for another round of thrilling performances from the remaining teams in the coming week.
READ ALSO: Tokyo 2020: Olympic Games Officially Kicks off as first transgender athlete aims for Historic Medal
