FOOTBALL at the 2020 (2021) Summer Olympics
THE MEN’S TOURNAMENT
South Africa did all that was possible to win against France. (Still failed).
Saudi Arabia is the first to be eliminated.
With one more round to go, no team is safe.
RESULTS AFTER ROUND TWO
FRANCE 4-3 SOUTH AFRICA
JAPAN 2-1 MEXICO
NEW ZEALAND 2-3 HONDURAS
ROMANIA 0-4 SOUTH KOREA
EGYPT 0-1 ARGENTINA
AUSTRALIA 0-1 SPAIN
BRAZIL 0-0 IVORY COAST
SAUDI ARABIA 2-3 GERMANY
France did something South Africa couldn’t do all game; keep a lead.
After a goalless opening 45 minutes saw South Africa miss a penalty, the second half came with 7 goals shared between the sides. South Africa took a goal lead on three occasions and France got even on each occasion before getting their winning goal in the additional minutes. Andre-Pierre Gignac scored all three of France’s equalizing goals before Teji Savanier netted the winner.
Pre-tournament expectations made this a result France needed but at the final whistle, South Africa was the most disappointed.
Japan is doing what a host nation is expected to do. They picked up a 2-1 win against Mexico to book their place in the quarterfinals. The final round of Group A is a must-win for France and South Africa.
In Group B, Romania ended the first half trailing by an own-goal and down a player
after Ion Gheorghe was sent off in the final minute for the accumulation of yellow cards. South Korea added three goals to their lead in the second half. Kang-In Lee came into the game in the 78th minute and doubled South Korea’s lead by scoring a double.
Honduras came from a goal down on two occasions before Rigoberto Rivas scored the winning goal in the 87th minute. The teams in Group B are going into the final group game on three points (each). All to play for in the final match.
In Group C, Argentina and Spain were 1-0 winners on the day.
In Group D, Brazil and Ivory Coast shared the points after playing out a goalless draw in a match that saw both sides end the game with a player sent off.
Despite being reduced to 10 men after Amos Pieper’s sent off in the 67th minute, Germany scored an additional goal to get a win against Saudi Arabia. The result eliminated Saudi Arabia from the competition.
NEXT ROUND
July 28, 2021
Germany vs Ivory Coast
Saudi Arabia vs Brazil
Brazil will face an eliminated Saudi Arabia in their final round of Group D. A win for Brazil will see them win the group. Brazil’s odds of advancing to the quarter-final is good enough that an improbable defeat to Saudi Arabia might not carry any cost.
The contest will be between Germany and Ivory Coast. It is a game where the losing team will be knocked out. Ivory Coast can afford a draw but the Germans can’t.
Romania vs New Zealand
South Korea vs Honduras
All four teams in Group B are all on three points.
The slim margins has Honduras above New Zealand through their Head-to-head record.
The two teams in the qualifying spot are playing against each other. This has Group B very much open for reshuffling. There is no incentive for the teams to play it safe. A win will promote you and a defeat will demote you.
Australia vs Egypt
Spain vs Argentina
Spain is only safe if Australia or Argentina are denied a victory in the last round of Group C. Fortunately for Spain, they have their destiny in their own hands. They can win the group by beating Argentina.
Defeat isn’t an option for Argentina but a point against Spain will do if Egypt can hold back Australia from a win.
Egypt must win against Australia in hopes that Spain beats Argentina.
As for Australia, the plan is to beat Egypt. That will qualify them no matter the results from the other game.
France vs Japan
South Africa vs Mexico
France and South Africa must win their final match in Group A to advance to the quarterfinal. For South Africa, it will take a win and some work on the goal difference to save their tournament.
Japan is not safe but is in a safer position than any other team in Group A. Japan has room for some errors when they face France. Mexico does not have that much of room for error in their match against South Africa. Mexico can only survive without a victory if Japan is to finish the group stage without defeat. A defeat for Mexico makes a draw permissible for France to advance to the quarterfinal.
The current STANDINGS
Group A
Japan – 6 points
Mexico – 3 points
France – 3 points
South Africa – 0 point
Group B
South Korea- 3 points
Honduras – 3 points
New Zealand – 3 points
Romania – 3 points
Group C
Spain – 4 points
Australia – 3 points
Argentina-3 points
Egypt – 1 point
GROUP D
Brazil – 4 points
Ivory Coast – 4 points
Germany – 3 points
Saudi Arabia – 0 point
LEADING GOAL SCORERS
Andre-Pierre Gignac (France) – 4 goals
Richarlison (Brazil) – 3 goals
