Ronaldinho is Back! Men’s Olympic Football Matchday Two Round-Up

August 11th, 2008 | by: Daryl | View Comments

Olympic football videos are getting harder to come by, but that doesn’t mean I’m about to give up. Not when it’s just starting to get interesting.

‘Dinho himself is showing some form (as is Pato, Anderson and the rest of the Brazil team), Argentina are getting it done, and Italy are absolutely on fire (in a good way) in Group D.

Argentina 1-0 Australia – Group A

Argentina left it late-ish again, but a nice move with Riquelme at the heart of it was eventually finished (emphatically) by Ezequiel Lavezzi in the 76th minute. And Argentina say hallo to the quarters.

Cote d’Ivoire 4-2 Serbia – Group A


There’s no video with all six goals, but you can see all six separate vids on one page over at TVGolo. I’ve chosen my favourite (above) as Salomon Kalou’s fpr Cote d’Ivoire. Love the turn and quick one-two with Gervinho.

USA 2-2 Netherlands – Group B


Don’t be fooled by the above video. While the US did indeed come from one Ryan Babel goal down to take a 2-1 lead through Sacha Kljestan (great through ball slash nutmeg from Freddy Adu) and Jozy Altidore (off the bench to poach a goal like a proper striker), Netherlands made it 2-2 with a late Gerald Sibon free kick. USA WCB is not happy, but still a decent result.

Nigeria 2-1 Japan – Group B
No video to show you, sorry kids. But I have it from high authority that Nigeria won 2-1 with goals from Victor Obinna and Victor Anichebe. Which means Nigeria’s game against the USA will be do or die for both teams (both on four points) and that Japan (with zero points) aren’t out yet, but are pretty much f*cked. Asian teams have done surprisingly badly in Beijing so far.

Brazil 5-0 New Zealand – Group C


OK, so it was only against an inexperienced New Zealand side, but Ronaldinho scored twice (one free kick and one from the spot) and apparently pulled the strings as Brazil ran out 5-0 winners. Now if only New Zealand’s U-23 team played in Serie A…

Belgium 2-0 China – Group C


Moussa Dembele and Kevin Mirallas gave Belgium a 2-0 win, while China had two men sent off. The hosts now need a result against Brazil in the final group game to avoid an early exit. Good luck with that.

Italy 3-0 S Korea – Group D


Goals from Tommaso Rocchi, Giuseppe Rossi and Riccardo Montolivo gave Italy another 3-0 win and a place in the quarters. That’s six goals in two games now and the Azzurrini are looking dangerous.

Cameroon 1-0 Honduras – Group D
Apparently it was all Cameroon, but they didn’t get the winner until the 74th when Stephane Mbia blasted one with his right foot. Honduras are down and out, but Cameroon can still go through with a result against Italy, depending on what Korea do against Honduras.