New Zealand 0-1 Belgium
New Zealand bowed out of the Olympics after their second consecutive defeat while Belgium went on to seal a date with Italy following their 1-0 win over the Olywhites...
A single goal from Faris Haroun was enough for Belgium to move through in second place behind Brazil. Although the Red Devils utterly dominated their Antipodean opponents, they only once found the back of the net, even when NZ were down to ten men.
Despite still having a mathematical chance of progression New Zealand did not opt to attack. Instead their defensive line hung deep, aided by the midfield, with counter-atacks on the agenda.
But this was advantageous for Belgium, who hit the woodwork within fifteen minutes, the likes of Kevin Mirallas impressing early on.
The deadlock was inevitably broken ten minutes before the interval. Tom de Mul of Sevilla swung in a corner in the direction of Faris Haroun, who made no mistake with a close-range finish.
New Zealand's chances all but evaporated when Daniel Ellensohn was sent off just after the break for an ill-timed challenge on Thomas Vermaelen.
Belgium, sensing that the job was done, grew somewhat complacent as they lowered the tempo of the game. That's not to say that there were no chances: Mirallas and de Mul both spurned excellent opportunities as the game wore on.
Still, 1-0 was enough for Belgium to remain second place on six points, ensuring a meeting with Brazil in the next stage. New Zealand, having a goal difference one strike inferior to that of China, finish last in the group and third last overall.
NEW ZEALAND 0-1 BELGIUM
0-1 Haroun 35'
Yellow Cards: Hendrson 49' - Vermaelen 53', Simaeys 88;
Red Cards: Ellenson 46'
Despite still having a mathematical chance of progression New Zealand did not opt to attack. Instead their defensive line hung deep, aided by the midfield, with counter-atacks on the agenda.
But this was advantageous for Belgium, who hit the woodwork within fifteen minutes, the likes of Kevin Mirallas impressing early on.
The deadlock was inevitably broken ten minutes before the interval. Tom de Mul of Sevilla swung in a corner in the direction of Faris Haroun, who made no mistake with a close-range finish.
New Zealand's chances all but evaporated when Daniel Ellensohn was sent off just after the break for an ill-timed challenge on Thomas Vermaelen.
Belgium, sensing that the job was done, grew somewhat complacent as they lowered the tempo of the game. That's not to say that there were no chances: Mirallas and de Mul both spurned excellent opportunities as the game wore on.
Still, 1-0 was enough for Belgium to remain second place on six points, ensuring a meeting with Brazil in the next stage. New Zealand, having a goal difference one strike inferior to that of China, finish last in the group and third last overall.
NEW ZEALAND 0-1 BELGIUM
0-1 Haroun 35'
Yellow Cards: Hendrson 49' - Vermaelen 53', Simaeys 88;
Red Cards: Ellenson 46'
Haroun gave a nice header goal in the 35 minute to get a 1-0 win for Belgium.
35′ 0-1 F. Haroun
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