AUCKLAND – The semi-finals of the Men’s and Women’s Olympic Football Tournaments will each feature two of the Oly-Whites’ and Football Ferns’ respective group-stage opponents after Japan’s women and Belgium’s men won through to the final four.
Japan – who trailed the Football Ferns 0-2 in their opening game before fighting back for a draw – spoiled China’s party with a 2-0 win that sent the Olympic hosts crashing out and set up a rematch against USA who beat Canada 2-1 in an extra-time quarterfinal.
Earlier in the tournament, USA beat Japan 1-0 and New Zealand 4-0 on their way to topping Group G.
The winner of that semi will face the winner of Brazil and Germany who beat Norway and Sweden in their respective quarterfinals.
Belgium – who beat 10-man New Zealand 1-0 to progress to the last eight – were the surprise package of the men’s draw upsetting a highly fancied Italy side 3-2 progress to the final four.
They will meet Atlanta gold-medal winners Nigeria who prevailed 2-0 in an all-Africa quarter-final derby against Cote d’Ivoire.
Brazil – who topped New Zealand’s group with a perfect three wins form three starts – needed two extra time goals to get past Cameroon after 90 scoreless minutes, and now face a marquee tie against South American rivals Argentina who also needed extra time before beating the Netherlands 2-1.
Women’s Semi-finals
18/08 10pm (NZT) Shanghai – Brazil v Germany
19/08 1:00am (NZT) Beijing – Japan v USA
Men’s Semi-finals
19/08 10pm (NZT) Shanghai – Nigeria v Belgium
20/08 1am (NZT) Beijing – Argentina v Brazil