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United States defeat Japan on penalties to reach semi-finals
ADELAIDE, Australia, Sept 23 (AFP) - The United States beat Japan 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to reach the semi-finals of the Olympic men's football tournament here Saturday. Substitute Sasha Victorine fired home the winning kick after star midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata had missed the fourth effort for the Japanese. With the pressure mounting after seven successful efforts Nakata beat Brad Friedel in the US goal but watched in agony as his strike rebounded off the left-hand post. The turning point in the game came in the final minute when the Americans, trailing 2-1, were awarded a controversial penalty after Tomoyuki Sakai tangled with Chris Albright and Pete Vagenas stepped up to coolly slot home and force extra-time. The Japanese had the better chances in the additional period but Naohiro Takahara blazed wide from just eight yards out before Friedel pulled out the stop of the match low to his left to deny Tomokazu Myojin. In the second extra period both sides tired visibly and it was left to the lottery of spot-kicks to decide who advanced to face Spain in the last four. Earlier the United States made all the running - in the seventh minute Noaki Matsuda had to be alert to cut out Vagenas's astute through ball, which would have given Allbright a clear run on goal. With quarter of an hour gone Josh Wolff nodded the ball on space opened up for a shot but his weak effort was easily saved by Seigo Narazaki. Then after another clever pass from Vagenas, Ben Olsen's effort was blocked - again by the covering Matsuda. Nakata - who missed the defeat agianst Brazil which ended their 19 game winning streak through suspension, began to exert his influence and tease the US defence down the left flank. But Sakai's long-range effort, which flew over the bar was their only chance of note in the opening exchanges. As the Americans continued to press forward, Wolff's effort was deflected behind for a corner by Matsuda before Chad McCarty was lucky to receive just a yellow card for his crude challenge from behind on Nakata. On the half-hour Japan - whose bronze medal in 1968 is the only won by an Asian in Olympic soccer - took the lead against the run of play. Myojin was fouled just outside the box and the resultant free-kick was not properly cleared. Nakata crossed back into the penalty box and Atushi Yanagiswara's firm downward header bounced up into the roof of the net. The goal lifted Philippe Troussier's side and they dominated the final 15 minutes of the half. Junichi Inamoto should have doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time but he scooped the ball over the bar when it looked easier to have scored. And soon after the break Naohiro Takhara spurned an equally simple chance - pulling the ball wide of the far post from just eight yards out before the Americans had a penalty appeal rejected when Albright tumbled in the penalty box. In 63rd minute Donovan headed straight at Narazaki and seconds later Conor Casey put another header over the bar. And the pressure told four minutes later when Wollf pounced on a poor clearance to rifle the ball home from 12 yards out. But Japan hit back almost immediately and Takahara glanced home Nakata's cross to restore their lead. McCarty should have received a second yellow card in the 80th minute for his assualt on Takahara but amazingly the Zimbabwean referee allowed him to stay on the field.
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