경기내용

Arnaldo Ariel Ortega (no. 10) showed excellent overview and ball skills in the Argentine midfield.

나이지리아는 31일 오후 3시45분(한국시간 4일 새벽 4시45분) 조지아州 애선스 샌퍼드구장에서 열린 '96애틀랜타올림픽 축구 결승에서 엠마누엘 아무니케의 후반 결승골로 남미의 마지막 희망이었던 아르헨티나에 3-2로 역전승,사상 처음으로 올림픽 금메달을 획득했다.

전날 3-4위전에서는 브라질이 포르투갈을 5-0으로 이겨 동메달을 차지했다. 남미와 아프리카의 자존심 대결이 된 이날 결승은 처음부터 시소게임.

전반 3분 클라우디오 로페스의 헤딩골로 아르헨티나가 쾌조의 스타트를 끊은 듯 했으나 나이지리아도 25분뒤 셀레스틴 바바야로가 오른쪽 코너에서 넘어온 볼을 페널티 지역 왼쪽에서 역시 헤딩 슛, 1-1로 따라붙었다.

Nwankwo Kanu, captain and top scorer of the Nigerian team.

두 팀은 후반 들어서도 거친 태클과 몸싸움을 불사하며 치열한 접전을 계속했다.

균형은 후반 4분께 다시 깨졌다.

아리엘 오르테가가 페널티지역 오른쪽을 뚫다 얻어낸 페널티킥을 에르난 크레스포가 오른발로 차넣어 아르헨티나가 2-1로 다시 앞섰다.

크레스포는 이 골로 개인득점 6골을 기록했으나 팀 패배로 빛을 잃었다.

나이지리아는 전반전과 마찬가지로 24분이 지난 후반 28분께 왼쪽 사이드라인에서 올라온 드로인을 문전 훈전중 다니엘 아모카치가 슛, 경기를 원점으로 되돌려 놓았다.

나이지리아는 천금의 역전기회를 잡은 셈이었다.

올해 초 아프리카컵 선수권대회에 불참했던 나이지리아는 후반 43분께 페널티지역 왼쪽에서 얻은 프리킥을 차올리는 순간 아르헨티나가 오프사이드 트랩을 쓰자 포르투갈 리그 리스본 스포르팅에서 활약하고있는 아무니케가 허를 찌르며 GK 바로 앞에서 슛, 쐐기를 박았다.

... and Sunday Oliseh who gave an excellent performance in the role of free man in the midfield.

아르헨티나는 지난 1928년 암스테르담대회이후 68년만에 결승에 진출, 정상을 노크했으나 막판 전술착오로 다시 준우승에 그쳤다.

◇결승

나이지리아 3(1-1 2-1)2 아르헨티나

▲득점= 로페스(전3분) 크레스포(후4분, 아르헨티나) 바바야로(전28분) 아모카치(후28분) 아무니케(후43분,이상 나이지리아)

나이지리아축구, 아프리카돌풍의 진원지

올림픽특별취재단= 올림픽 그라운드에 아프리카의 돌풍이 몰아 치는가.

나이지리아가 과거 월드컵과 하계올림픽대회에서 패권을 양분해온 남미와 유럽 대륙의 텃세를 꺾고 '96애틀랜타올림픽 축구에서 금메달을획득, 세계축구구계에 전혀 다른 기상도를 그려놓고 있다.

지난 88년 서울올림픽에서 16강에 올랐을 뿐 올림픽에서 전적이 신통치 못했던 나이지리아의 우승은 한마디로 파란.

네덜란드 출신 요 본프레레감독이 이끄는 나이지리아는 '94미국월드컵축구 스타인 오케치쿠 우체(28,DF), 임마누엘 아무니케(25,FW), 다니엘 아모카치(23,FW), 어거스틴 오코차(22,MF)가 포진해 다소 거친 듯한 수비를 펼치면서도 빼어난 개인기와 정확한 중거리 슛으로 결승까지 진출했다.

4강및 결승전 상대는 공교롭게도 남미축구의 최강인 브라질과 아르헨티나.

준준결승 진출팀이 가려졌을때만 해도 유럽은 프랑스. 포르투갈.스페인, 미주대륙은 브라질. 아르헨티나. 멕시코로 나뉘고 그 중간 몫을 아프리카의 나이지리아와 가나가 차지했으나 결국 나이지리아는 4강전에서 브라질을 4-3으로 격파하고 결승전에서 아르헨티나에 3-2로 역전승했다.

나이지리아의 승리는 또 국내 정치적 상황과 맞물려 나름대로 의미를 부여할 수 있다.

올해 초 남아프리카공화국에서 열린 '96아프리카컵축구선수권대회에 불참, 오는 98년대회 출전권까지 박탈당한 처지였다.

나이지리아 군사정부가 야당 인사를 무단 체포, 재판을 거치지않고 전격 처형한데 대해 만델라 남아공대통령이 비난하자 선수단을 보내지않았고 아프리카축구연맹 (CAF)은 이를 즉각 제재했었다.

나이지리아는 어쨌든 검은 대륙의 `황금 독수리'라는 별명에 걸맞게 드디어 올림픽 정상에 올라섰다.

2년전 94년 월드컵 당시 8강에서 이탈리아에 연장 끝에 1-2로 패해 탈락했지만 이번 올림픽에서는 브라질, 아르헨티나를 잇따라 제패, 에콰도르 세계청소년선수권 대회 5위에 이어 새로운 가능성을 보여주었으며 오는 98년 프랑스월드컵에서 막강한 위세를 예고해준 셈이다.

In an historic game for African football, Nigeria (NGA) defeated Argentina (ARG), 3-2, on an 89th minute goal from Emmanuel AMUNIKE (NGA) to win the gold medal for men's football, completing the Olympic Games competition at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, in front of a capacity crowd of 86,117.

Argentina had taken a 1-0 lead in just the 2nd minute when Hernan CRESPO's (ARG) well-placed cross from the right wing found Claudio LOPEZ (ARG) all alone at the far post. The bending ball was so perfect that LOPEZ paused his run for an instant, and then sent a bullet header into the upper left corner, giving goalkeeper Joseph DOSU (NGA) no chance.

Argentina had a golden chance to increase its lead in the 16th minute when LOPEZ had a breakaway from midfield. He rounded DOSU to his right, but his touch was too hard, and the ball ran out of bounds before he could get off a shot into the open net.

Nigeria got a well-deserved equaliser in the 28th minute, when BABAYARO jumped high to head in captain KANU's cross, rifling the ball off the left post and into the net.

Trailing 2-1 with 16 minutes left, it was the second time in as many games that Nigeria had to come from behind to win. Nicknamed the "Super Eagles," Nigeria became the adopted team of the Athens fans after their dramatic 4-3 overtime victory over Brazil in the semi-finals, a match in which they trailed 3-1 with under 20 minutes remaining in regulation time.

The gold medal match featured end-to-end play the entire 90 minutes, as both teams created numerous dangerous chances and forced the goalkeepers into several spectacular saves. Nigeria outshot Argentina 27-17 for the match.

Emmanuel Ammunike scored the decisive goal in the final. Three mainstays in the Olympic gold medal team: Emmanuel Ammunike, who scored the decisive goal in the final, shown here with his gold medal; he was transferred shortly before the tournament began to the top Turkish club Fenerbahce...

The game did, however, feature controversial goals for each team. After going into half-time tied at 1-1, Argentina took a 2-1 lead when referee Pierlugi COLLINA (ITA) ruled defender Taribo WEST (NGA) had fouled Daniel ORTEGA (ARG) after the Argentine tried to dribble by him in the right side of the penalty box. While it initially appeared that the two had become tangled, television replays show little contact, but COLLINA pointed to the penalty spot and Hernan CRESPO (ARG) drilled his kick into the right corner.

The goal made CRESPO the leading scorer in the Olympic Games with six goals and three assists for 21 points.

After falling behind, Nigeria pressed forward against an Argentine team content to stay back and look for counterattacks. The Super Eagles foiled that plan in the 74th minute when Celestine BABAYARO's (NGA) throw-in from the left sideline was headed on by Nwankwo KANU. Substitute Wilson ORUMA (NGA) swung and missed at his volley attempt, but the Argentine defence was caught off-balance and Daniel AMOKACHI (NGA) hit a soft, looping shot, spinning the ball with the outside of his right foot over goalkeeper Pablo CAVALLERO (ARG) and into the left side of the net.

It was then Nigeria's turn for controversy and AMUNIKE's turn to be a hero. AMUNIKE had entered the game in the 71st minute, and in the 89th minute, Nigeria earned a free kick just outside the left corner of the penalty box. ORUMA sent the ball into the middle of the penalty box as the entire Argentina defence pulled up quickly in an attempt to catch Nigeria offside. The linesman's flag stayed down and AMUNIKE found himself all alone at the penalty spot with only CAVALLERO to beat. AMUNIKE struck the ball out of the air, pushing his volley into the lower right corner. The stadium exploded in cheers for the fan favourites as the Argentines appealed angrily for offside.

While taking the traditional victory lap, the Nigerian team unfurled a banner reading, "America Thanks For Your Support -- We Love You All -- Nigerian Eagles 1996."

The gold medal was Nigeria's first in Olympic Football as well as the first for an African team.

Jo BONFRERE (Coach of Nigeria):
"I feel great. I think the players are more grateful (feel even greater). They are thankful for their coach."

On his nerves during the past two very close games:
"Sometimes we make it for the spectators very nice. It was very tough today. The final game is always tough. It is difficult to equalise. We did it lucky for us in the first half hour. With the mentality the Nigerians have - the past two months we have stayed together."

On his team:
"These are very good players. They are not only very good on the pitch they are also outside the pitch. They stay together. They are one person. That is the greatest I see in this team. I don't see that in any other team."

On the importance of the game for Nigeria:
"It is not easy to be everything together in Nigeria. There are one hundred things around the team you have to do."

forward Nwankwo KANU (NGA) on winning the gold medal:
"Argentina is good. Nigeria is gold."

goalkeeper Joseph DOSU (NGA) on the match:
"Argentina are a very skilful side. They proved it today. But there is no mistake, we played very well and beat them."

Looking into the sell-out crowd of 86,117 at Sanford Stadium:
"The Nigerian and American fans here today are great. They love to see good football."

defender Taribo WEST (NGA) on the result:
"Argentina played very well today. They are true professionals. But we are also one of the great sides in the world. We played our very best today and have become champions.

08/02[31] 포루투칼 vs. 브라질 0:5
Goals Scored: RONALDINHO (BRA) 4' , FLAVIO CONCEI?O (BRA) 10' , BEBETO (BRA) 46' , BEBETO (BRA) 53' , BEBETO (BRA) 74'

Three second half goals by forward BEBETO (BRA) sparked Brazil to a 5-0 trouncing of Portugal in the bronze medal match of the men뭩 Olympic Football Tournament.

Dani (no. 18), here fighting against the Brazilian Amaral A great future is predicted for Dani (no. 18, here fighting against the Brazilian Amaral). Ajax Amsterdam have taken him onto their books for the coming season.

The 68,173 fans at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, saw an exhibition of classic Brazilian football featuring lightning-quick passing combinations, daring dribbling runs and opportune finishing.

Brazil scored twice in the first 11 minutes and never let Portugal in the game, putting on a show that may leave questions as to who really was the best team in the tournament, despite losing on a "golden goal" in overtime in the semi-finals to Nigeria, 4-3.

In a match filled with scoring opportunities that could easily have doubled Brazil's goal total, the South Americans first scored in the 5th minute as JUNINHO (BRA) slipped a pass behind the Portuguese defence to RONALDINHO (BRA) in the right side of the penalty box. The 19-year-old striker took a touch and fired a swerving shot by off-balance goalkeeper COSTINHA (POR) from 16 meters out. It was the beginning of a long afternoon for the Portuguese keeper.

Brazil scored again six minutes later as BEBETO and ZE MARIA (BRA) moved deftly through the Portuguese defence with a brilliant sequence of passes on the right wing. ZE MARIA cut sharply toward the Portugal net, drawing COSTINHA to the near post before laying a pass back to FLAVIO CONCEICAO (BRA) for an easy tap-in from four meters out.

It was FLAVIO CONCEICAO's third goal of the tournament. RONALDINHO's goal was his fifth of the Olympic Games, making him the tournament's third leading scorer.

The second half belonged to BEBETO, who scored his first of three goals in the 47th minute, taking advantage of a mistake in the back by RUI BENTO (POR) to storm through the Portugal defence and send his left-footed shot through COSTINHA's legs from 12 meters out.

In the 53rd minute, CALADO (POR) pulled RONALDINHO down by his jersey in the penalty box and BEBETO converted the penalty kick into the left corner.

He completed the hat trick in the 75th minute when COSTINHA mishandled a back-pass and BEBETO pounced on the free ball, lifted it over the sliding goalkeeper before sliding himself to push the ball into an open net.

The three goals gave BEBETO a total of six for the tournament, making him the leading scorer in the men뭩 Olympic Football Tournament, one point ahead of Hernan CRESPO (ARG), who along with his team-mates will face Nigeria in tomorrow's gold medal match. Kick-off is at 15:45 at Sanford Stadium.

Portugal got no breaks in the match, which included a missed penalty kick in the 62nd minute after ZE MARIA fouled NUNO GOMEZ (POR) from behind in the penalty box. CALADO took the kick, but shot slowly to the right corner and DIDA (BRA) saved his second penalty kick of the tournament, palming the ball off the right post before smothering the rebound.

Due to unalterable travel arrangements which would not allow Brazil to stay for Saturday's gold medal match and the victory ceremony, the team received its bronze medals in a brief ceremony following the game.

Mario ZAGALLO (Coach of Brazil)
"Bronze has a taste of gold. Brazil played a very good match and Portugal played good and clean. We can't always win. Four times we were champions of the world. It's an honour to have an Olympic medal. To know how to lose is difficult, but important. To win is easy. Brazil gave an example during the Nigerian game how it was to lose. I want to congratulate Nigeria again. Brazil needs to know that bronze is an honoured place."

What about World Cup '98?
"I have a contract until '97. After that, I will know what to do."

Eduardo VINGADA (Coach of Portugal)
"It was an honour to play Brazil. Unfortunately, the game has ninety minutes and the first ten minutes of each half - I wish they did not exist. The goalkeeper of Brazil was excellent. Brazil was the right winner. Portugal is right in fourth."

midfielder JUNINHO (BRA) while holding his bronze medal:
"This is very nice, but we came to these Olympics to win the gold."

On the match:
"If Brazil played the same match against Nigeria (NGR) as we did today, we would be in the finals. Today we possessed the ball very well and played our way."

defender ZE MARIA (BRA)
"We came here with the objective to win the gold medal, but now we've received this (the bronze medal) and I like it very much."

On Brazil's defence:
"Our defensive team has been criticised before, but this time I think we played well."

On the future:
"Ahead, I think this group can do very well for the Brazilian team. We've learned a lot. If we keep this same group, maybe in two years we can have a World Cup."

midfielder AMARAL (BRA) on not playing for the gold medal as expected:
"It is very hard. We really wanted to play tomorrow against Argentina. But we're very happy. We have a positive outlook."

On the difference between today's game versus Portugal (POR) and Wednesday's match versus Nigeria:
"It seems like today we are much more loose. Against Nigeria, we were tense. But many thanks to God that we reached our objective of winning a bronze medal."

forward RONALDINHO (BRA):
"We lost the game against Nigeria and I think the players learned a lot with this. Hopefully we'll forget that loss. I think it feels good to win the bronze medal."

Juninho looks skeptically at his bronze medal. While he and all his team-mates were themselves very disappointed, their performance deserves compliments of the highest order.

On the Olympic experience:
"I don't think the players are going to forget very easily what happened here today. I think some things have gone wrong; we lost against Nigeria, but I think we've learned our lesson with that. We'll just try not to repeat that."

forward BEBETO (BRA) on the result of today's game:
"Our goal was to get to the final and win the gold medal, but I am happy. We still have a desire to continue with the Brazilian selection and with the Brazilian teams that are playing. Our thought and hope was to get to the final because the Olympics are important.

On winning the bronze medal and scoring three goals:
"We had a team that was capable of making it to the end, although we didn't make it. The bronze medal is good and is important as well."

On the result of the loss to Nigeria:
"To me the easiest competition I had was the beginning of the game with Nigeria. What happened is that we went from an intense Brazilian team to this team today. Today, we had an obligation to ourselves to win, and that is what we did."

"The team was great but some of the players were thinking just of themselves, instead of getting in there collectively -- that's the sign of a young player. But the future is here."

On not winning the gold medal:
"We came with that objective, but you can't always get what you want -- I don't know what happened."

On the Olympic tournament:
"It was a rough competition with a lot of games and not a lot of rest"

forward PORFIRJO (POR) on the match:
"This was a difficult game for us. Brazil is a very skilful team, and goals were very hard to come by against them."

On how this result and the team's performance will be received in Portugal:
"People will be unhappy, I'm sure, but we'll just have to wait and see."