Olympics-Brazil Survive Scare, Britain Lose On Penalties

Gold medal favourites Brazil twice came from behind to beat underdogs Honduras 3-2 and will face South Korea in the semi-finals of the men’s Olympic soccer tournament after they beat hosts Britain on penalties.

Mexico will face Japan in the other semi-final after they beat Senegal 4-2 after extra time and Japan beat Egypt 3-0.

South Korea will play Brazil at Old Trafford on Tuesday while Japan will play Mexico at Wembley on the same night.

After one of the greatest days in their Olympic history with six gold medals, Britain’s soccer players were looking to make history of their own by reaching the Olympic soccer semis for the first time since 1948.

The match against South Korea ended 1-1 after Aaron Ramsey scored one penalty after 36 minutes and had one saved three minutes later after Ji Dong-Won had put Korea ahead in the 29th minute. There were no further goals in normal or extra time so the game went to a shootout.

After both teams converted their first four penalties, Daniel Sturridge’s poor effort was saved by Korean keeper Lee Bum-Young and Ki Sung-Yeung converted to give his side a 5-4 shoot-out win.

Brazil, chasing their first ever Olympic soccer gold, fell behind to Honduras when Mario Martinez scored with a stunning volley after 11 minutes, but Honduras were reduced to 10 men when Wilmer Crisanto was sent off for two swift yellow cards in the first half.

Reuters