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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2016/aug/03/usa-new-zealand-womens-soccer-olympics-live
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Rio 2016 women's football: USA v New Zealand – live! | Rio 2016 women's football: USA v New Zealand – live! |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.18am BST | |
| 00:18 | |
| 61 min: Johnston is down, but did she get away with a tug there? She was challenging Wilkinson for a long ball down the middle, and both players went down as Hope Solo came out … but no call from the ref! Wilkinson didn’t complain, actually – maybe it was just a tangle. | |
| 12.17am BST | |
| 00:17 | |
| 59 min: One slight area of imbalance in this USA team, in my humble opinion, is Klingenberg, a natural right-footer, at left-back. But it worked OK for Paolo Maldini, I guess. Heath shoots over the bar. | |
| 12.15am BST | |
| 00:15 | |
| 58 min: A slight groan from USA, who had the ball on the counter-attack, but referee Kateryna Monzul brings it back for a free kick. | |
| 12.13am BST | |
| 00:13 | |
| 57 min: Good work from Longo, but then Percival misplaces a pass, and the momentum is lost. | |
| 12.12am BST | |
| 00:12 | |
| 55 min: That’s the second time New Zealand have pinched the ball in midfield and looked to break, and the player with the ball, this time Bowen, I think it was, has had zero options. NZ surely have to commit players forward. | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.13am BST | |
| 12.10am BST | |
| 00:10 | |
| 53 min: A collision in the centre of the park as Long and Duncan go in hard. But they’ll be OK: neither player was late. | |
| 12.08am BST | |
| 00:08 | |
| 50 min: But here’s a sorry sight for USA fans: Mallory Pugh is replaced by Crystal Dunn. Is Pugh injured, or is it just tactical? | |
| 12.07am BST | |
| 00:07 | |
| 49 min: Oh, better from New Zealand! It was another ball knocked long, and Percival fired a lovely strike goalward that was blocked, and then Amber Hearn went close! I think Solo had it covered, and Hearn’s shot was off target, but that was much better from the Kiwis. | |
| 12.05am BST | |
| 00:05 | |
| 48 min: Well, this is a tough ask for New Zealand now. How on earth do they find two goals in 40 minutes? USA arin control of this one. | |
| 12.03am BST | |
| 00:03 | |
| 47 min: USA began on the front foot, pushed New Zealand back, and Morgan Brian slipped a lovely ball to her left for Alex Morgan, who thrashed a left-footed shot past Erin Nayler. But Nayler was beaten on her near side – should the goalkeeper have done better? | |
| 12.02am BST | |
| 00:02 | |
| USA 2-0 New Zealand (Morgan 46) | |
| And within a minute, USA are two up! | |
| 12.02am BST | |
| 00:02 | |
| We're back! | |
| 46 min: USA, who are seeking a fourth consecutive gold in women’s soccer, get us under way again. | |
| 12.00am BST | |
| 00:00 | |
| Score update: Germany have just beaten Zimbabwe 6-1. | |
| 11.49pm BST | |
| 23:49 | |
| Well, it wasn’t always pretty, but that was an effective 45 minutes from the holders. They started very well, scored a good goal within 10 minutes, and then kept New Zealand at arm’s length. The Football Ferns have been rugged and physical, but haven’t really created anything. USA on top. See you shortly. | |
| 11.47pm BST | |
| 23:47 | |
| Half-time: USA 1-0 New Zealand | |
| That’s the half. | |
| 11.45pm BST | |
| 23:45 | |
| 45 min +1: One minute added on. | |
| 11.45pm BST | |
| 23:45 | |
| 45 min: Carli Lloyd is offside, for about the third time this half. I can’t imagine there’ll be too much stoppage time. | |
| 11.43pm BST | 11.43pm BST |
| 23:43 | 23:43 |
| 44 min: Klingenberg crosses from the left, and Morgan Brian heads over the bar under pressure from Stott. | 44 min: Klingenberg crosses from the left, and Morgan Brian heads over the bar under pressure from Stott. |
| 11.42pm BST | 11.42pm BST |
| 23:42 | 23:42 |
| 42 min: Duncan’s ball in, but USA’s defending of set pieces has been excellent, and it’s headed clear again. | 42 min: Duncan’s ball in, but USA’s defending of set pieces has been excellent, and it’s headed clear again. |
| 11.41pm BST | 11.41pm BST |
| 23:41 | 23:41 |
| 41 min: Good cross in from the right side, and O’Hara miscues her clearance. Corner New Zealand. | 41 min: Good cross in from the right side, and O’Hara miscues her clearance. Corner New Zealand. |
| 11.40pm BST | 11.40pm BST |
| 23:40 | 23:40 |
| 40 min: Meghan Klingenberg passes it straight out of play on the left side. It’s been that sort of game. | 40 min: Meghan Klingenberg passes it straight out of play on the left side. It’s been that sort of game. |
| 11.39pm BST | 11.39pm BST |
| 23:39 | 23:39 |
| 38 min: Tony Readings, New Zealand’s coach, looks somewhat pained. | 38 min: Tony Readings, New Zealand’s coach, looks somewhat pained. |
| 11.36pm BST | 11.36pm BST |
| 23:36 | 23:36 |
| 36 min: USA haven’t really sparkled since the goal. They started in decisive fashion, and created two or three chances before Lloyd’s opener, but not much since. They’re comfortable, though. | 36 min: USA haven’t really sparkled since the goal. They started in decisive fashion, and created two or three chances before Lloyd’s opener, but not much since. They’re comfortable, though. |
| 11.34pm BST | 11.34pm BST |
| 23:34 | 23:34 |
| 35 min: Another long ball knocked in by New Zealand, but it’s to no one in particular, and USA clear with ease. | 35 min: Another long ball knocked in by New Zealand, but it’s to no one in particular, and USA clear with ease. |
| 11.34pm BST | 11.34pm BST |
| 23:34 | 23:34 |
| 33 min: Not much happening, to be honest. USA seem happy to keep things ticking over, and, alas, New Zealand don’t quite have the creative quality. So if that cup of tea needs making, now might be a good time. | 33 min: Not much happening, to be honest. USA seem happy to keep things ticking over, and, alas, New Zealand don’t quite have the creative quality. So if that cup of tea needs making, now might be a good time. |
| 11.29pm BST | 11.29pm BST |
| 23:29 | 23:29 |
| 29 min: For a moment it looked as though New Zealand might be in, but Solo was quickly off her line to claim. We’re just in a slight lull. | 29 min: For a moment it looked as though New Zealand might be in, but Solo was quickly off her line to claim. We’re just in a slight lull. |
| 11.27pm BST | 11.27pm BST |
| 23:27 | 23:27 |
| 27 min: New Zealand knock it long again, but again, it’s safely through to Hope Solo. The Football Ferns struggling in attack at the moment. | 27 min: New Zealand knock it long again, but again, it’s safely through to Hope Solo. The Football Ferns struggling in attack at the moment. |
| 11.26pm BST | 11.26pm BST |
| 23:26 | 23:26 |
| 25 min: New Zealand wanted a foul, but no free kick was given, and USA were away. Lloyd Fed Pugh, on the right, and she crossed first time, looking for Morgan, but Erceg was there to knock it behind for a corner. Curled in by Heath, and everybody missed it! | 25 min: New Zealand wanted a foul, but no free kick was given, and USA were away. Lloyd Fed Pugh, on the right, and she crossed first time, looking for Morgan, but Erceg was there to knock it behind for a corner. Curled in by Heath, and everybody missed it! |
| 11.24pm BST | 11.24pm BST |
| 23:24 | 23:24 |
| 23 min: Lloyd trips Riley, and it’s a New Zealand free kick 40 yards from goal. Duncan plays it in, but it’s to no one in particular, and it’s behind for a goal kick. | 23 min: Lloyd trips Riley, and it’s a New Zealand free kick 40 yards from goal. Duncan plays it in, but it’s to no one in particular, and it’s behind for a goal kick. |
| 11.21pm BST | 11.21pm BST |
| 23:21 | 23:21 |
| 21 min: New Zealand seeing more of the ball in these past few minutes, but they haven’t been able to create anything of note. | 21 min: New Zealand seeing more of the ball in these past few minutes, but they haven’t been able to create anything of note. |
| 11.19pm BST | 11.19pm BST |
| 23:19 | 23:19 |
| 19 min: Whipped in, but Nayler claims comfortably. | 19 min: Whipped in, but Nayler claims comfortably. |
| 11.18pm BST | 11.18pm BST |
| 23:18 | 23:18 |
| 18 min: Heath is crudely chopped by Hassett, by the touchline on the left side, and that’s a clear yellow. No argument from Hassett, and now a good area for the set piece. | 18 min: Heath is crudely chopped by Hassett, by the touchline on the left side, and that’s a clear yellow. No argument from Hassett, and now a good area for the set piece. |
| 11.16pm BST | 11.16pm BST |
| 23:16 | 23:16 |
| 16 min: New Zealand just settling in to the game. But that’s another trip, this time from Katie Bowen, and it’s a USA free kick. | 16 min: New Zealand just settling in to the game. But that’s another trip, this time from Katie Bowen, and it’s a USA free kick. |
| 11.15pm BST | 11.15pm BST |
| 23:15 | 23:15 |
| 15 min: Crude foul from Heath on Percival, but no booking. | 15 min: Crude foul from Heath on Percival, but no booking. |
| 11.14pm BST | 11.14pm BST |
| 23:14 | 23:14 |
| 14 min: Hassett wanted a corner just then, and she probably should have had one: I think the last touch came off a USA leg. | 14 min: Hassett wanted a corner just then, and she probably should have had one: I think the last touch came off a USA leg. |
| 11.13pm BST | 11.13pm BST |
| 23:13 | 23:13 |
| 13 min: Not much happening in attack for New Zealand, but Riley crosses from the left, Johnston heads behind, and it’s an NZ corner. Good delivery from Duncan, but Johnston heads clear. | 13 min: Not much happening in attack for New Zealand, but Riley crosses from the left, Johnston heads behind, and it’s an NZ corner. Good delivery from Duncan, but Johnston heads clear. |
| 11.11pm BST | 11.11pm BST |
| 23:11 | 23:11 |
| 12 min: Here’s Don Kavanagh: “Typically black shirts? Not for NZ football teams – they are traditionally white. It’s the oval ball games where they usually don the black, he said pedantically...” | 12 min: Here’s Don Kavanagh: “Typically black shirts? Not for NZ football teams – they are traditionally white. It’s the oval ball games where they usually don the black, he said pedantically...” |
| Thanks Don! | Thanks Don! |
| 11.10pm BST | 11.10pm BST |
| 23:10 | 23:10 |
| 10 min: That’s a great header from Carli Lloyd. Heath turned back on to her right foot from the left, crossed deep, and Lloyd did so well to turn her body and loop a header over Nayler. An excellent start from USA, and a deserved lead. | 10 min: That’s a great header from Carli Lloyd. Heath turned back on to her right foot from the left, crossed deep, and Lloyd did so well to turn her body and loop a header over Nayler. An excellent start from USA, and a deserved lead. |
| 11.09pm BST | 11.09pm BST |
| 23:09 | 23:09 |
| GOAL! USA 1-0 New Zealand (Lloyd 9) | |
| And it’s the captain! | And it’s the captain! |
| Updated | |
| at 11.57pm BST | |
| 11.08pm BST | 11.08pm BST |
| 23:08 | 23:08 |
| 8 min: This has been a good start from the Olympic champions – they’re quickly into their stride. We still haven’t seen a replay of that Nayler save from Lloyd, but it must have been from about four yards out. Great goalkeeping. | 8 min: This has been a good start from the Olympic champions – they’re quickly into their stride. We still haven’t seen a replay of that Nayler save from Lloyd, but it must have been from about four yards out. Great goalkeeping. |
| 11.06pm BST | 11.06pm BST |
| 23:06 | 23:06 |
| 6 min: Heath with it, and Morgan heads over the bar! She got free in the box, and should have done better. | 6 min: Heath with it, and Morgan heads over the bar! She got free in the box, and should have done better. |
| 11.05pm BST | 11.05pm BST |
| 23:05 | 23:05 |
| 5 min: Oh, how did that stay out?! Amazing. Erin Nayler with two big saves from close range – first from Johnston, I think, and then from Lloyd on the follow-up, who seemed certain to score. Now Lloyd is tripped on the edge of the box, and this is a big chance. | 5 min: Oh, how did that stay out?! Amazing. Erin Nayler with two big saves from close range – first from Johnston, I think, and then from Lloyd on the follow-up, who seemed certain to score. Now Lloyd is tripped on the edge of the box, and this is a big chance. |
| 11.04pm BST | 11.04pm BST |
| 23:04 | 23:04 |
| 4 min: Great run into the box from Pugh, from the right side, and Erceg puts it behind for a corner. | 4 min: Great run into the box from Pugh, from the right side, and Erceg puts it behind for a corner. |
| 11.03pm BST | 11.03pm BST |
| 23:03 | 23:03 |
| 3 min: First look for USA, and Heath, was it, crosses from the left, but it’s headed clear by the Kiwis. | 3 min: First look for USA, and Heath, was it, crosses from the left, but it’s headed clear by the Kiwis. |
| 11.01pm BST | 11.01pm BST |
| 23:01 | 23:01 |
| And we're off! | And we're off! |
| 1 min: New Zealand in all black, typically, and USA in all white. | 1 min: New Zealand in all black, typically, and USA in all white. |
| 11.00pm BST | 11.00pm BST |
| 23:00 | 23:00 |
| Anthems done. Time for kick-off! | Anthems done. Time for kick-off! |
| 10.56pm BST | 10.56pm BST |
| 22:56 | 22:56 |
| The teams are coming out from the tunnel. It’s a nice evening in Belo Horizonte: about 73F, or 23C. Now time for the anthems. | The teams are coming out from the tunnel. It’s a nice evening in Belo Horizonte: about 73F, or 23C. Now time for the anthems. |
| 10.52pm BST | 10.52pm BST |
| 22:52 | 22:52 |
| We’re about 10 minutes from kick-off. The crowd in the stadium is exceedingly sparse. | We’re about 10 minutes from kick-off. The crowd in the stadium is exceedingly sparse. |
| 10.41pm BST | 10.41pm BST |
| 22:41 | 22:41 |
| Here’s some more on that Canada-Australia game: | Here’s some more on that Canada-Australia game: |
| Related: Matildas go down 2-0 to Canada after fastest goal in Olympic women's football history | Related: Matildas go down 2-0 to Canada after fastest goal in Olympic women's football history |
| 10.38pm BST | 10.38pm BST |
| 22:38 | 22:38 |
| And Canada beat Australia 2-0, too. Janine Beckie’s opener for the Canadians came after just 20 seconds, which is a new Olympic record. | And Canada beat Australia 2-0, too. Janine Beckie’s opener for the Canadians came after just 20 seconds, which is a new Olympic record. |
| 10.37pm BST | 10.37pm BST |
| 22:37 | 22:37 |
| Some results from earlier: hosts Brazil eased past China 3-0, and Sweden beat South Africa 1-0. But both matches struggled to find an audience. Here’s how the AP saw it: | Some results from earlier: hosts Brazil eased past China 3-0, and Sweden beat South Africa 1-0. But both matches struggled to find an audience. Here’s how the AP saw it: |
| “After a build-up plagued by organisational, health and security fears, Sweden and South Africa took to the field in the opening match of the women’s football tournament in front of scarcely more than a few hundred fans at the 60,000-capacity Olympic Stadium. | “After a build-up plagued by organisational, health and security fears, Sweden and South Africa took to the field in the opening match of the women’s football tournament in front of scarcely more than a few hundred fans at the 60,000-capacity Olympic Stadium. |
| “Huge swathes of blue seats remained empty all around the deathly-quiet venue, the home ground for club side Botafogo. | “Huge swathes of blue seats remained empty all around the deathly-quiet venue, the home ground for club side Botafogo. |
| “More spectators, clad in both the yellow of Sweden and Brazil, drifted into the stadium as the match progressed, with the hosts taking on China in the second game of the day. | “More spectators, clad in both the yellow of Sweden and Brazil, drifted into the stadium as the match progressed, with the hosts taking on China in the second game of the day. |
| “The official attendance was given as 13,439. Optimistic is putting it kindly.” | “The official attendance was given as 13,439. Optimistic is putting it kindly.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.40pm BST | at 10.40pm BST |
| 10.31pm BST | 10.31pm BST |
| 22:31 | 22:31 |
| Carli Lloyd wants gold, and gold only. “I don’t play the sport and compete to settle for anything less than gold,” the USWNT skipper said earlier. “I know that sounds pretty bold but that just really is what our team is about. I have been to two Olympics so far and I am going for a third gold medal. That’s the plan.” | Carli Lloyd wants gold, and gold only. “I don’t play the sport and compete to settle for anything less than gold,” the USWNT skipper said earlier. “I know that sounds pretty bold but that just really is what our team is about. I have been to two Olympics so far and I am going for a third gold medal. That’s the plan.” |
| 10.30pm BST | 10.30pm BST |
| 22:30 | 22:30 |
| So, what looks like a full-strength team for USA, with Lloyd breaking from midfield to support Morgan and Pugh, who, interestingly, will wear the No2 shirt. Watch out for Amber Hearn and Hannah Wilkinson for New Zealand, while Sarah Gregorious and Rosie White could make an impact from the bench. | So, what looks like a full-strength team for USA, with Lloyd breaking from midfield to support Morgan and Pugh, who, interestingly, will wear the No2 shirt. Watch out for Amber Hearn and Hannah Wilkinson for New Zealand, while Sarah Gregorious and Rosie White could make an impact from the bench. |
| 10.17pm BST | 10.17pm BST |
| 22:17 | 22:17 |
| Tonight's teams | Tonight's teams |
| USA: Solo, O’Hara, Klingenberg, Johnston, Sauerbrunn, Heath, Long, Brian, Lloyd, Morgan, Pugh. Subs: Engen, Horan, Krieger, Press, Rapinoe, Dunn, Naeher. | USA: Solo, O’Hara, Klingenberg, Johnston, Sauerbrunn, Heath, Long, Brian, Lloyd, Morgan, Pugh. Subs: Engen, Horan, Krieger, Press, Rapinoe, Dunn, Naeher. |
| New Zealand: Nayler, Percival, Erceg, Stott, Riley, Duncan, Hassett, Bowen, Longo, Wilkinson, Hearn. Subs: Green, Pereira, Gregorius, Yallop, White, Moore, Rolls. | |
| Referee: Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine) | Referee: Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine) |
| Updated | |
| at 11.47pm BST | |
| 10.11pm BST | 10.11pm BST |
| 22:11 | 22:11 |
| Hello and welcome | Hello and welcome |
| The 2016 Rio Olympics haven’t officially started – the opening ceremony is Friday night – but for the US women’s soccer team, today is all systems go. The current world champions are looking for their fifth Olympic gold, having won last time out in London four years ago, and they start this evening against New Zealand in Belo Horizonte. The great Abby Wambach has gone, but the bulk of the team that won the World Cup in Vancouver last year are still here – Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan – and in 18-year-old Mallory Pugh the US women have a star in the making. They’re the No1-ranked team in the world for a reason, and anything less than silver for Jill Ellis’s team would represent a major disappointment. | The 2016 Rio Olympics haven’t officially started – the opening ceremony is Friday night – but for the US women’s soccer team, today is all systems go. The current world champions are looking for their fifth Olympic gold, having won last time out in London four years ago, and they start this evening against New Zealand in Belo Horizonte. The great Abby Wambach has gone, but the bulk of the team that won the World Cup in Vancouver last year are still here – Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan – and in 18-year-old Mallory Pugh the US women have a star in the making. They’re the No1-ranked team in the world for a reason, and anything less than silver for Jill Ellis’s team would represent a major disappointment. |
| New Zealand are not quite in USA’s class, but they reached the Olympic quarter-finals in 2012, and have one or two classy players, notably captain Abby Erceg, who plays for Western New York Flash. The skipper sounded optimistic on the eve of the tournament: “When you’re at the Olympic Games you’re going to come up against the best players in the world, that is obviously what you want to do. It’s about the communication and cohesion we have at the back and, with our back four, we’ve been together for so long. We have a lot of experience and I think all our players bar one have over 100 caps. Hopefully we can use that.” | New Zealand are not quite in USA’s class, but they reached the Olympic quarter-finals in 2012, and have one or two classy players, notably captain Abby Erceg, who plays for Western New York Flash. The skipper sounded optimistic on the eve of the tournament: “When you’re at the Olympic Games you’re going to come up against the best players in the world, that is obviously what you want to do. It’s about the communication and cohesion we have at the back and, with our back four, we’ve been together for so long. We have a lot of experience and I think all our players bar one have over 100 caps. Hopefully we can use that.” |
| But USA are firm favorites, and why not: they’ve got experience, skill, physical power and individual class. They’ll be looking to make a statement, and should have too much for the Football Ferns. | But USA are firm favorites, and why not: they’ve got experience, skill, physical power and individual class. They’ll be looking to make a statement, and should have too much for the Football Ferns. |
| Kick off is 6pm local time, which is the same ET. Join us then. | Kick off is 6pm local time, which is the same ET. Join us then. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.27pm BST | at 10.27pm BST |
| 8.06pm BST | 8.06pm BST |
| 20:06 | 20:06 |
| Tim will be here shortly. In the meantime, read why the US Olympic team is treading carefully in Rio: | Tim will be here shortly. In the meantime, read why the US Olympic team is treading carefully in Rio: |
| The US delegation are aware that as one of the wealthiest countries in the world, any attack on Brazil’s lack of preparedness for the Games will be perceived as arrogance. And while no one from the USOC will reference the current presidential election or Donald Trump, they seem determined to keep their team from being one more thing the rest of the world dislikes about the US. The last thing the USOC wants is for its athletes to be booed in front of a worldwide audience at Friday’s opening ceremony. | The US delegation are aware that as one of the wealthiest countries in the world, any attack on Brazil’s lack of preparedness for the Games will be perceived as arrogance. And while no one from the USOC will reference the current presidential election or Donald Trump, they seem determined to keep their team from being one more thing the rest of the world dislikes about the US. The last thing the USOC wants is for its athletes to be booed in front of a worldwide audience at Friday’s opening ceremony. |
| The US is also deep in a bid for Los Angeles to host the 2024 Games. While complaints about the conditions in Rio probably won’t damage that bid, they won’t help either – the IOC makes its decision on the 2024 host city in September 2017. | The US is also deep in a bid for Los Angeles to host the 2024 Games. While complaints about the conditions in Rio probably won’t damage that bid, they won’t help either – the IOC makes its decision on the 2024 host city in September 2017. |
| American officials and former athletes have visited different teams in recent weeks to talk to athletes about how they should act in Rio, in addition to other training. Swimmers, for instance, were instructed the day after trials ended in Omaha, Nebraska, last month; golfers were met at the PGA Championship in Baltusrol. A group of USOC officials even went to the men’s basketball practices in Las Vegas to talk to the NBA players who will be playing. Their key message was the same: hold off on complaining. | American officials and former athletes have visited different teams in recent weeks to talk to athletes about how they should act in Rio, in addition to other training. Swimmers, for instance, were instructed the day after trials ended in Omaha, Nebraska, last month; golfers were met at the PGA Championship in Baltusrol. A group of USOC officials even went to the men’s basketball practices in Las Vegas to talk to the NBA players who will be playing. Their key message was the same: hold off on complaining. |
| Related: In the age of Trump, the US treads carefully at the Olympics | Related: In the age of Trump, the US treads carefully at the Olympics |