Japan fight back to salvage point

Miyagi: Hosts Japan recovered from a shock start of the match to salvage a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against New Zealand to stay at the top of Group A of the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2012 Japan.

In the match played at Miyagi Stadium on Wednesday, Japan conceded two early goals but came back brilliantly to earn a point which saw them topping the group on goal difference to New Zealand. Group rivals Mexico defeated Switzerland 2-0 to stay in contention for the quarter-final while Switzerland are out of reckon for the knockout stages.

Yoko Tanaka’s 37th minute strike and equalizer from Ayaka Michigami in the 71st minutes rescued Japan who were clearly the better side on the day with their total shots reaching 28 against New Zealand’s eight in the match.

New Zealand opened the match in a promising note and Ayu Nakada’s clearance of a corner ended up inside her own net in the 11th minute for the New Zealanders’ lead. They doubled their lead in the 15th minute through Rosie White’s second in the tournament as the forward connected a brilliant left-footer after controlling the ball on her chest.

A deflected effort from Tanaka reduced Japan’s deficit to 2-1 in the 37th minute and the moment of the match came in the 71st minute when Michigami connected a sublime header against lanky Kiwis’ defenders. Japan looked for the winner in final quarter of the match without avail.

“We have not showed our gifted techniques fully yet," said Japan coach Hiroshi Yoshida. "Today we showed our technical football to some extent, but that was not enough to win the match."

Japan will take on Switzerland in the final match of Group A on Sunday.

Article source: http://www.the-afc.com/en/component/content/article/944-fifa-womens-u-20-world-cup-2012/39837-japan-fight-back-to-salvage-point

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Wu takes gold with perfect 10

China's Wu Minxia confirmed her status as one of the best women's divers in history by easily winning the 3m Springboard at the Aquatics Centre.

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  Wu Minxia wins Diving gold for China

  Gold medallist Wu Minxia Wu of China celebrates on the podium in the Victory Ceremony for the women's 3m Springboard.
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  Wu Minxia dives for gold in the women's 3m Springboard

  China's Wu Minxia dives for gold in the women's 3m Springboard Diving on Day 9 at the Aquatics Centre.

The world champion beat her rivals, and claimed the first individual mark of 10 at these Olympics, to claim a record-equalling sixth Olympic Games medal in the Diving pool.

The 26-year-old began the Games by winning an unprecedented hat-trick of synchro springboard titles before tonight levelling the medal record of her former partner Guo Jingjing.

She did so emphatically with a score of 414.00 to be 34.8 points clear of silver medal compatriot He Zi, who she won gold alongside in the synchro.

Wu's victory also meant that China remained on course for a clean sweep of the eight gold medals on offer in the Diving pool having now won all five events so far.

Laura Sanchez Soto claimed the bronze for Mexico after she edged out veteran Tania Cagnotto by just 0.2 points.

Five-time World Championship medal winner Cagnotto's fourth placing meant she is still yet to stand on an Olympic podium despite competing in four Games.

Afterwards, Wu indicated that she was set to call time on her decorated career.

'I think this was the perfect ending for me,' she said. 'I'm very happy to have this ending. I was very emotional because I wanted to thank my coach.

'I have attended three Olympics and in the first I didn't do well.

'From 2004 to 2008 was very difficult time for me. After this time my body's condition and my psychology got better.

'I can handle more pressure than before.'

Article Source: http://www.london2012.com/news/articles/takes-gold-with-perfect.html

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N Koreans walk off after flag row

The North Korean women’s football team walked off the pitch at their Olympic match in Glasgow after their images were shown on a screen beside a South Korean flag.

Kick-off was scheduled for 19:45 BST but the game started over an hour late.

North Korea beat Colombia 2-0 in the second of the Olympic matches held at Hampden Park on Wednesday.

Games organisers in London have apologised to North Korean officials for the mistake.

The error occurred when a video package was being shown ahead of kick-off, with the North Koreans noticing that their faces were being pictured alongside the South Korean flag.

“Start Quote

We have made a full apology to the team and the North Korean NOC. A genuine mistake was made for which we apologise”

End Quote
Andy Mitchell
London 2012 spokesman

The squad walked off and could only be persuaded to return when the teams were announced again with each player’s face displayed next to the North Korean flag.

The BBC’s sports editor David Bond said it was an “embarrassing mistake” and not the start Games organisers would have wanted on the first day of sporting action, but “no great harm was done”.

Relations between the two Koreas are tense – they remain technically at war following the 1950-53 Korean conflict, which ended in an armistice.

Speaking after the match, North Korea’s coach Sin Ui Gun said: “Our team was not going to participate unless the problem was solved properly.

“Unfortunately it took some time later for the broadcast to be done again properly and we made the decision to go on with the match.”

He added: “Our players cannot be shown especially with other flags, especially the South Korean one.

“If this matter had not been solved, continuing would have been a nonsense.”

A statement released by London 2012 organisers said: “Today ahead of the women’s football match at Hampden Park, the South Korean flag was shown on a big screen video package instead of the North Korean flag.

“Clearly that is a mistake, we will apologise to the team and the National Olympic Committee and steps will be taken to ensure this does not happen again.”

It was not immediately clear who had produced the video which was shown in the stadium.

Olympics coverage online

London 2012 spokesman Andy Mitchell said: “The South Korean flag was shown in the video package on the screen before the kickoff and the North Koreans were naturally very upset about that.

“We have made a full apology to the team and the North Korean NOC. A genuine mistake was made for which we apologise.”

South Korea will face North Korea in the first round of the men’s Olympic table tennis team event after the pair were drawn against each other on Wednesday.

The first event of the Olympics got under way at 1600 BST at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Wednesday and ended in a win for Team GB over New Zealand in the women’s football. Two matches also took place at the City of Coventry stadium.

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Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Match Preview

Match Details and Timings:

Date: May 26, 2012

Time: 04:00 AM GMT+8

Venue: Estadio Vicente Calderón — Madrid

Possible Starting Lineups:

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz – Iraola, Javi Martinez, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe – De Marcos, Herrera, Iturraspe,  Susaeta, Llorente, Muniain.

 

Barcelona: Valdes – Pique, Mascherano, Adriano, Busquets – Thiago Alcantara, Xavi, Iniesta – Messi, Fabregas, Sanchez

In the previous match of Athletic de Bilbao which was played with Levante UD in the LA LIGA series on 13th may,2012. This match was won by Levante by 3 goals and Bilbao lose the match and on the other hand Barcelona played their last match with Betis in the LA LIGA series on 12th may, 2012 and this match was drawn by 2-2. Both teams made same goals in full 90 minutes match.

This season Barcelona failed to win Champions League and LA LIGA series and now they will be trying to win the COPA DEL REY Final. For match results, Highlights and Goals, stay on our blog for all informations and we will upload immediately after the match is over.

Watch Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Live and Free streaming at 12BET , InCOPA DEL REY Final match will be played in between Barcelona and AthleticBilbao. The match will be held at Madrid’s Estadio Vicente Calderon Stadium and play off will starts at 04:00 AM GMT+8 on 26 May 2012. This match is played in COPA DEL REY Final series. Watch the play off live at 12BETand also bet for your best team. Be in touch with us to get all action of this match.

Watch Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Live and Free streaming at 12 BET , InCOPA DEL REY Final match will be played in between Barcelona and AthleticBilbao. The match will be held at Madrid’s Estadio Vicente Calderon Stadium and play off will starts at 04:00 AM GMT+8 on 26 May 2012. This match is played in COPA DEL REY Final series. Watch the play off live at 12 BETand also bet for your best team. Be in touch with us to get all action of this match.

 

[img]http://i45.tinypic.com/1252r95.jpg[/img]

 

In the previous match of Athletic de Bilbao which was played with Levante UD in the LA LIGA series on 13th may,2012. This match was won by Levante by 3 goals and Bilbao lose the match and on the other hand Barcelona played their last match with Betis in the LA LIGA series on 12th may, 2012 and this match was drawn by 2-2. Both teams made same goals in full 90 minutes match.

This season Barcelona failed to win Champions League and LA LIGA series and now they will be trying to win the COPA DEL REY Final. For match results, Highlights and Goals, stay on our blog for all informations and we will upload immediately after the match is over.

 

Probable Starting Lineups:

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz – Iraola, Javi Martinez, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe – De Marcos, Herrera, Iturraspe,  Susaeta, Llorente, Muniain.

 

Barcelona: Valdes – Pique, Mascherano, Adriano, Busquets – Thiago Alcantara, Xavi, Iniesta – Messi, Fabregas, Sanchez

 

Match Details and Timings:

Date: May 26, 2012

Time: 04:00 AM GMT+8

Venue: Estadio Vicente Calderón — Madrid

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