Tokyo Olympics - Group D: Saudi Arabia denied by  Côte d’Ivoire

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics - Group D: Saudi Arabia denied by  Côte d’Ivoire

Yokohama: A spirited performance on their return to the Olympics for the first time since 1996 was not enough for Saudi Arabia to avoid a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Côte d’Ivoire in Group D of the Tokyo 2020 men's Football Tournament at the Yokohama Stadium on Thursday.

Coach Saad Al Shehri’s men started brightly, applying a high press game on their opponents, repeatedly winning the ball in the Ivorian half, but without creating much in terms of scoring chances in the opening 30 minutes.

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Tokyo Olympics: “We’re here for a medal,” says Arnold after Australia's stunning win over Argentina

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: “We’re here for a medal,” says Arnold after Australia's stunning win over Argentina

Sapporo: Graham Arnold declared his Australia side medal contenders after they stunned two-time champions Argentina to win 2-0 at Sapporo Dome in their opening Tokyo Olympics match on Thursday.

Arnold had vowed ahead of the tournament that his players would shock the world in the extremely difficult Group C, and it took just 14 minutes for Western United forward Lachlan Wales to put them on the road to a momentous win with the opening goal following a Joel King cross.

The Olyroos’ cause was aided further when Argentine defender Francisco Ortega was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence just before half-time, and the points were made safe by a thumping strike from substitute Marco Tilio, who scored in his first involvement of the match with 10 minutes remaining.

Tokyo Olympics: Yoshida wants Japan to be fearless in attack

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: Yoshida wants Japan to be fearless in attack

Tokyo: Japan’s Olympic captain Maya Yoshida has called on his team to take a more positive approach from the start of their upcoming encounters at the 2020 Tokyo Games after leading his side to a narrow win over South Africa on Thursday.

Takefusa Kubo’s strike was the difference between the nations as Japan made a winning start to their campaign in Group A of the Men's Football tournament at Tokyo Stadium, but Sampdoria defender Yoshida was unhappy with the way Hajime Moriyasu’s team performed in the opening exchanges.

Tokyo Olympics: Kim rues Korea Republic's opening-day display

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: Kim rues Korea Republic's opening-day display

Kashima: Korea Republic head coach Kim Hak-bum has admitted his team did not perform to the level he expects after the Taeguk Warriors slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat against New Zealand in their Tokyo Olympics Men's Football opener on Thursday. 

The 2012 bronze medalists went into the Group B fixture as strong favourites against a side that had never won a match in their two previous appearances at the Games.

But the dominant East Asians found no way past a stubborn Olywhites backline and Chris Wood made them pay when he slotted home the winner 20 minutes from time.

Tokyo Olympics: Gustavsson hails captain Kerr after Australia win

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: Gustavsson hails captain Kerr after Australia win

Tokyo: Australia women’s national team boss Tony Gustavsson has praised his side’s captain and star striker Sam Kerr after she starred in a 2-1 victory over New Zealand in their opening Tokyo Olympics match on Wednesday.

After scoring four goals and earning no wins in their five friendly matches under Gustavsson, the Matildas flicked the switch in time for their first competitive outing since qualifying for the tournament in March 2020.

Tokyo Olympics: Japan's Iwabuchi aims to go one better against Great Britain

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: Japan's Iwabuchi aims to go one better against Great Britain

Sapporo: Japan displayed incredible fighting spirit to salvage a 1-1 draw with Canada in their opening Tokyo 2020 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Group E tie on Wednesday and Mana Iwabuchi is confident the hosts will build on their performance in their remaining matches.

Japan fell behind to a sixth minute Christine Sinclair goal but Iwabuchi displayed her awesome talent when she collected a long-range pass, squeezed past two Canadian defenders before flicking the ball over substitute ‘keeper Kailen Sheridan to salvage a draw in the 84th minute.

Tokyo Olympics: China PR’s Jia vows improvements after Brazil defeat

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: China PR’s Jia vows improvements after Brazil defeat

Miyagi: Head coach Jia Xiuquan, in accepting responsibility for China PR’s 5-0 defeat to Brazil in Group F of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Women's football tournament on Wednesday, has promised his side will show improvement in their next match.

China PR, fielding a largely inexperienced lineup, fell behind by two goals going into the break and were unable to stop Brazil from scoring three more in the second half at the Miyagi Stadium.