News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp
Home  » Sports » Iraq reach Olympic quarter-finals

Iraq reach Olympic quarter-finals

By Alastair Himmer
Last updated on: August 16, 2004 15:14 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Iraq's fairytale Olympic run continued on Sunday when they beat Costa Rica 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the men's soccer competition at the Athens Games.

Second-half goals from Hawar Mohammed and substitute Mahdi Karim in Athens gave war-weary Iraq a perfect six points from two games in Group D.

Iraq's under-23 side, which has endured extreme hardship to qualify for the Olympics, stunned Portugal 4-2 in their opening game. Iraq reached the Asian Cup quarter-finals last month.

"Our success is so important for our people and our country because we are facing so many difficulties," said Mohammed.

Also Read


Iraq stun Portugal 4-2

Iraqis pin hopes on Olympic Truce


"We had no facilities or pitches to train on for so long but our determination has seen us through."

Meanwhile, Parma striker Alberto Gilardino scored twice as Italy beat Japan 3-2, knocking the East Asians out of the Olympics.

Japan became the first team to be eliminated from the men's competition after being outclassed by Italy in Volos.

AS Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi put Italy in front with an acrobatic scissors-kick after three minutes.

SHELL-SHOCKED

Six minutes later, Gilardino doubled Italy's lead with a fine solo strike to leave Japan shell-shocked.

The Japanese hit back in the 21st minute, midfielder Yuki Abe curling in an exquisite free kick from the edge of the box.

But Gilardino struck again in the 36th minute, climbing to meet an Emiliano Moretti cross with a looping header that drifted over Japan goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata.

Striker Daiki Takamatsu pulled one back for Japan in second-half stoppage time but it came too late to salvage their Olympic campaign after a 4-3 defeat by Paraguay in midweek.

Italy went top of Group B on four points, ahead of Ghana on goals scored. The African side beat Paraguay 2-1 in Thessaloniki.

Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo was on target for Portugal, who got their campaign back on track with a 2-1 win over Morocco.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Alastair Himmer
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

India In Australia 2024-2025