Soccer-U.S. rebound with 6-1 win over NZ, Britain and Sweden enter quarters

TOKYO, July 24 (Reuters) – The US girls’s soccer staff returned to profitable methods with a scientific 6-1 victory over New Zealand at Saitama Stadium on Saturday, whereas Britain and Sweden maintained excellent begins to e-book their locations within the Olympic match’s knockout stage.

After struggling a primary defeat in 30 months to Sweden of their Group G opener, the Individuals, who’re world champions, made a much-improved begin towards New Zealand, breaking the impasse inside 10 minutes with a Rose Lavelle strike.

With U.S. first woman Jill Biden watching from the stands, the four-times Olympic gold medallists turned on the type with waves of assaults and went on to double their lead simply earlier than halftime via a Lindsey Horan header.

Two second-half personal targets compounded New Zealand’s issues and U.S. substitutes Alex Morgan and Christen Press additionally received on the scoresheet because the pre-tournament favourites moved again into rivalry for a final-eight spot.

Sweden continued their dominant run with a 4-2 comeback win over Australia.

Captain Sam Kerr scored a double at hand the Matildas a 2-1 lead, just for Sweden to attain three quickfire targets courtesy of Lina Hurtig, Stina Blackstenius and Fridolina Rolfo’s second.

‘TOTALLY COMMITTED’ BRITAIN

In Group E, Manchester Metropolis ahead Ellen White nodded in her third objective of the match as Britain assured their progress to the knockout phases with a 1-0 victory over hosts Japan, who keep winless after two video games.

“We’re very pleased with two wins and that places us within the place to relaxation gamers and recuperate for the knockout phases,” Britain coach Hege Riise mentioned.

“We had been a distinct staff within the second half, we had the togetherness I need to see and we had been completely dedicated.”

A Dominique Janssen free kick within the 79th minute rescued a degree for the Netherlands in a 3-3 draw with Brazil, with the Oranje retaining the highest spot in Group F on objective distinction.

After scoring a treble for Zambia of their 10-3 drubbing by the Netherlands on Wednesday, striker Babra Banda enhanced her standing because the competitors’s breakout participant with one other hat-trick in a 4-4 draw with China in Group F.

China had a objective machine of their very own in Wang Shuang, who scored 4 occasions together with a late penalty to earn her aspect a deserved level at Rifu’s Miyagi Stadium.

Wang turned solely the third participant to attain 4 targets in a match on the Video games and the second within the match after Dutchwoman Vivianne Miedema.

Earlier, ahead Janine Beckie scored in every half as Canada beat Chile 2-1 on the Sapporo Dome.

Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar and Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru, modifying by Pritha Sarkar, Ken Ferris and John Stonestreet

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.