Argentina Clinched Football Gold Medal at Beijing Olympic Games 2008

Argentine football team defended their gold medal at Beijing Olympic Games defeating Nigeria 1-0 in the match. At Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium, Argentina clinched a 1-0 victory over African “Super Eagles” Nigeria. With this victory, Argentina has become the first team since Hungary to have successfully defended their Olympic gold medal in football. Angel Di Maria scored the winning goal for Argentina in the 58^th minute of the match.

After receiving an excellent pass from Messi, Di Maria successfully executed and brought the winning goal for Argentina by lobbying the ball over the Nigerian goalkeeper Ambrose Vanzekin. Nigeria also had some good chances in both the halves. Six minutes off the time, substitute Victor Anichebe missed the easiest chance for the Africans as he failed to touch the Victor Obinna cross from close range. Nigeria put some pressure on Argentine defense in the closing minutes, but that was of no avail as the African side failed to produce an equalizer.

Lionel Messi was decisive in the final match as well. The Barcelona star played excellently well all through the tournament, leading Argentina to clinch the gold medal. No doubt, if there was any award for tournament’s best player, it would certainly go to Lionel Messi for his outstanding performance in the tournament.

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Argentina vs Nigeria Olympics Final Match

To get live score and updates of the Argentina vs Nigeria gold medal match, visit the following link:

Argentina vs Nigeria Live Score and Updates: Olympic 2008

Argentina is going to play against Nigeria in the final of football match of Olympics 2008. The match will take place at 23 August, 12:00 China Standard Time and I have to admit that it is an odd time for many countries in the world. However, the good thing is that it is Saturday and that means holiday in most part of the world. The venue of the match is Beijing's Workers' Stadium. Since 1968, no country has got back to back gold medal in Olympics football. Thus, it will be a great record to achieve for Argentine players. They can be a part in the history of Olympics if they can win. Nigeria may not be able to create any history if they become champion but winning the gold medal of Olympics is perhaps the next best thing to winning the title of World Cup Football.

SouthAsiaFair has give a detailed preview and analysis of the match and wrote:

It is not new for Nigeria. In fact, the African side suffered a lot by Messi in 2005 U-20 world cup and they are fully aware of the seemingly danger of Messi ahead of the match. Moreover, the Argentina star has been in his prime form at this moment by threatening the opposition defense in every match. Brazilian coach Dunga admitted after their 3-0 lose to Argentina in the semi final that all of his plans to stop Messi failed as the Barcelona star played a pivotal role in Argentina’s victory in the match. However, Nigeria must stop Messi if they want to clinch their second Olympic gold in football.

Both the teams impressed everyone in the semi final. Nigeria thrashed Belgium by 4-1. ON the other hand, Argentina defeated arch rival Brazil by 3-0. Argentina played their best match in the semi final. Fortunately, they got two days rest and it is good for their players. Of course, they should feel confident after defeating Brazil in such a good way. It was like that they already have won the gold medal. Of course, you should not take Nigeria too lightly because in 1996 Olympics, Nigeria defeated Argentina in the final match to lift gold medal. So, Nigeria knows how to win gold in Olympics Football and they also know how to defeat Argentina. In that final, the African country won the match by 3-2.

The good news for Nigeria is that they don’t have any injury problem ahead of the match. Peter Odemwingie and Victor Obinna Nsofor are the two players to watch. Also, you should look for Chibuzor Okonkwo. In fact, they have a decent side. They drew against mighty Netherlands in the first match but after that, they won every match. The whole nation is looking forward to this match. A gold is very important for this African country.

Of course, winning against Argentina is not an easy thing. Argentina has Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Fernando Gago and these 3 are top class player in the world. The way they destroyed Brazil in the semi final match was something to remember for a long time. Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari is injured and will not be there in the match. Except this, they have no injury problem or booking problem either. I don’t know if Maradona will be in the stadium tomorrow or not. His presence can really make some difference for the team. Of course, Maradona will not play but Messi will. A lot will depend on the performance of Messi.

So, what will happen in the match? Who will win? Do you want my prediction? I think that Argentina will win the match. What do you think? Who will win the match?

Argentina vs Australia Olympics 2008: Who will Win?

For live score of the Argentina vs Australia match of Olympics 2008 Football/Soccer: visit this link:

Argentina vs Australia Olympics 2008: Live Updates

I am sure that this is the question that is coming to the mind of many people in both these countries. Well, it is an important match for both of the teams. Whoever wins will be sure of qualifying for the quarterfinals. The losing team will still have chance to move to the quarterfinals but that will depend on the result of the last day’s matches from this group. By the way, it is a group A match and it will start at 17:00 China Standard time tomorrow. Thus, there are just 10 hours left before the start of the match. If you are looking for detailed information and live score resources then you should visit this link:

Australia vs Argentina Preview and Live Score

I am concerned with the outcome of the match. Argentina is the current gold medalist of football in Olympics. In the first match, Australia could get a draw against Serbia and thus they have just 1 point from their one match. So, if Australia loses tomorrow then they will most probably be out of the competition unless something extra ordinary happens. Argentine players should be in a relaxed mood as they won their first match. I feel that the main plus point for Argentina would be Messi. He can mess up the opposition’s defense so easily and naturally that Messi is always a big danger to the opposition team.

So, what do you think? Who will win in the match of Argentina vs Australia? I think that either Argentina will win or it will be a draw.

Do you agree with me?

Beijing Olympics Games Women’s Football: First Day Results

There was an upset on the very first day of women’s football event of Beijing Olympics Games 2008 as defending champion USA lost to Norway 2-0. This was USA’s only second defeat at Olympics. Interestingly, their first Olympics defeat in the 2000 Sydney Olympics final was also against Norway.

In another high profile match, Germany and Brazil, the current world champion and runner up respectively, settled for a goalless draw. Germany defeated Brazil in last year’s world cup final and thus, Brazil got the chance of taking revenge of their 0-2 defeat to Germany in the final of the tournament. Host China also started off their Olympic campaign well as they outclassed Sweden 2-1. Canada opened their Group E campaign with a 2-1 victory over Argentina.

Asian powerhouse Japan clinched a point in the 2-2 draw with New Zealand, after coming back from 2-0 down in the match. Japan got the equalizer four minutes off the final whistle. In another match, North Korea defeated Nigeria 1-0.

There are six matches in women’s football event on 9 August. In Group E, Sweden will face Argentina, while Canada will take on China. Nigeria will face Germany and Brazil will play against North Korea in the Group F. USA vs Japan and New Zealand vs Norway are the two matches in Group G.

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Official schedule of football event of Beijing Olympics

Beijing Olympics Games Soccer: Favorites Got Good Start

Today, Beijing Olympic Games 2008 has been kicked off officially through a colorful opening ceremony at the Beijing National Stadium. However, men’s and women’s football events of the games started two days before the official kick off of the Beijing Olympics Games. On the first day of men’s football, the favorite teams got easy victory.

Argentina, Brazil, Italy got easy victories, while Netherlands drew with Nigeria. Argentina defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 thanks to superb performance by Lionel Messi and Juan Ramon Riquelme. Messi opened scoring for defending champion Argentina two minutes before the half-time, getting a pass from Juan Ramon Riquelme and sending the ball past goalkeeper Vincent Angban. Though Ivory Coast leveled thanks to a goal from Sekou Cisse eight minutes into the game, Argentina got the winning goal in 85^th minute by Lautaro Acostar.

Among the favorites, World champion Italy got the easiest victory as they defeated Honduras 3-0 thanks to goals from Sebastian Giovinco, Giuseppe Rossi and Robert Acquafresca. Honduras could not show much of resistance that could bring some cherishing result for them. Italy was leading 2-0 at the half time. Italy’s last two goals came from penalty.

Brazil also started their Olympic campaign with a victory over Belgium thanks to the only goal from Hernanes. Brazil did not look that as impressive as they need to be in order to win their first ever Olympic gold medal in football. Though they are the five-time world cup champions, they could yet win the Olympic gold medal in football.

In other matches, China and New Zealand drew 1-1, South Korea drew with Cameroon 1-1 and USA won over Japan 1-0, Serbia managed to draw with Australia after coming from a goal down, and Netherlands made a goalless draw with Nigeria.

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