올림픽대표팀, 멕시코 꺾고 8강 진출에 유리한 고지 선점 

2004 아테네 올림픽에 참가 중인 한국 올림픽대표팀이 멕시코를 꺾고 8강 진출에 한발 다가섰다. 

한국은 15일 새벽(이하 한국시간) 그리스 아테네 카라이스카기 스타디움에서 벌어진 A조 예선 2차전 멕시코와의 경기에서 전반 16분 터진 김정우(울산)의 결승골을 끝까지 지키며 1-0으로 승리했다. 

이로써 한국은 승점 4점(1승 1무)을 확보, 남은 말리전에서 무승부만 기록해도 자력으로 8강 진출이 가능하게 됐다. 이날 경기에서 홈팀 그리스를 2-0으로 꺾은 말리 역시 승점 4점(1승 1무)을 기록하고 있어 한국과의 최종전에서 비기기만 해도 조 1위가 확정되는 상황. 

한국은 그리스와의 1차전에서 2-0으로 앞서다가 결국 2-2 무승부로 경기를 마치며 아쉬움을 줬으나 멕시코와의 2차전에서는 같은 일을 되풀이하지 않았다. 그리스전과 마찬가지로 경기 주도권은 상대에게 내준 편이었으나 베테랑 유상철(요코하마)과 ‘올림픽대표팀의 수호신’ 김영광(전남)을 중심으로 한 수비진은 멕시코에게 실점하는 것을 용납하지 않았다. 

또한 전반에는 이천수(레알 소시에다드)와 정경호(울산)를 중심으로, 후반에는 교체투입된 최성국(울산), 최태욱(인천)이 중심이 된 빠른 역습 역시 골결정력 부족으로 득점에는 실패했지만 날카롭게 이뤄졌다. 

이날 경기에서 한국은 그리스전과 비교할 때 약간의 변화가 있었다. 최태욱(인천)을 대신해 정경호가 선발투입된 것이 변화였으며, 수비진에서는 퇴장으로 인해 경기에 출장하지 못하는 김치곤(서울)을 대신해 부상에서 회복한 조병국(수원)이 선발투입됐다. 

또한 3-4-3 시스템을 구사했던 그리스전과 달리 정경호와 조재진(시미즈)을 투톱으로 배치하고, 이천수를 그 바로 밑에 배치하는 3-4-1-2 시스템으로 나선 것도 변화. 

그러나 정경호나 조재진이 측면으로 많이 빠지고, 이천수가 공격에 적극 가담하며 공격시에는 사실상 3톱에 가까운 형태가 이뤄졌고, 수비시에는 이천수가 미드필드 쪽으로 많이 가세하며 3-4-1-2 시스템의 형태를 띄는 모습이었다. 

이천수의 뒤를 받치는 중앙 수비형 미드필더에는 역시 김정우-김두현(수원) 콤비가 나섰고, 좌우 윙백도 김동진(서울)과 박규선(전북). 

3백 수비라인에는 유상철을 중심으로 조병국과 박용호(서울)가 좌우에 배치됐으며, 골키퍼에는 김영광이 나섰다. 

반면 멕시코는 말리와의 1차전과 동일한 멤버를 투입한 모습. 

전반 - 김정우의 통렬한 중거리슛으로 앞서나가다. 

전반 경기내용은 멕시코의 공세에 밀려 전체적으로 다소 밀린 감이 있지만, 김정우의 결정적인 한방으로 이것을 한번에 불식시켰다. 

경기 시작과 함께 멕시코는 그들의 강점인 왼쪽 라인을 이용한 공격과 미드필드에서의 오밀조밀한 연결로 한국을 공략했다. 한편 한국은 조재진과 정경호가 측면으로 빠지며 이천수에게 공간을 내줬고, 특히 정경호는 특유의 스피드를 이용한 측면공략에 힘썼다. 
멕시코의 전체적인 체격조건이 왜소한 점을 이용해 좌우 측면에서의 크로스도 자주 시도하는 모습. 

한국의 첫 번째 공격시도는 전반 5분에 이뤄졌다. 정경호가 드리블 돌파를 시도한 뒤 슛까지 시도하려 했으나 수비 맞고 굴절되었다. 

멕시코 역시 주도권을 잡고 공세를 펼쳤고, 전반 13분에는 전방공격수 오마르 브라보(과달라하라)가 첫 번째 슛을 시도했지만 다행히 골대를 벗어났다. 

그리고 전반 16분, 한국은 김정우의 중거리슛 한방으로 의외로 쉽게 경기를 풀어갈 수 있었다. 이천수가 왼쪽에서 올려준 크로스를 멕시코 골키퍼가 펀칭했고, 이것을 김두현이 돌파를 시도하다 수비에 걸려 뒤로 흐르자 달려들던 김정우가 그대로 오른발 중거리슛으로 연결한 것. 이 볼은 멕시코 수비에 맞고 굴절되며 멕시코의 골네트를 갈랐다. 
 
1-0으로 앞선 한국은 이후 1골을 만회하려는 멕시코의 공세에 시달려야 했다. 전반 22분에는 브라보가 페널티 에어리어 왼쪽에서 오른발슛을 시도했고, 이것이 박용호 맞고 굴절되었으나 김영광이 선방으로 위기를 넘겼다. 또한 전반 24분에는 멕시코의 주장 디에고 마르티네즈(네카사)에게 강력한 오른발슛을 내줬으나 다행히 골문을 벗어났다. 

한국은 멕시코의 공세에 다소 당황했는지 패스연결과 패스 타이밍에서 약간씩 실수를 범하며 정상적인 경기운영이 이뤄지지 않는 모습을 보였으나 전반 30분이 지나면서 어느 정도 안정을 되찾는 모습. 

전반 30분 상대의 실수를 틈타 정경호가 스피드를 살린 돌파를 시도했고, 슛까지 연결했으나 마지막에 수비수 몸에 맞고 말았다. 전반 36분에도 조재진이 뒤로 흘려준 볼을 이천수가 잡아 페널티 에어리어 왼쪽에서 크로스를 올렸으나 멕시코 수비가 걷어냈으며, 37분에는 박규선의 돌파에 이어 김두현이 왼발 중거리슛을 시도했지만 수비 맞고 골키퍼에게 안기고 말았다. 

또한 전반 39분에는 역습 상황에서 정경호가 오른쪽 측면을 돌파한 뒤 중앙에서 쇄도하는 조재진을 향해 크로스를 올렸으나 아쉽게 멕시코 수비수의 태클에 걸리며 득점과 연결되지는 못했다. 

계속적인 역습에서 득점에 실패한 한국은 전반 40분 위험지역에서 프리킥을 내줬고, 이것을 이스라엘 로페즈(톨루카)가 오른발 감아차기슛을 시도했으나 다행히 골대를 살짝 벗어나며 위기를 넘겼다. 

후반 - 단단한 수비망으로 멕시코 공격 봉쇄 후 빠른 역습으로 추가득점 노리다. 

후반 들어 한국은 빠른 역습을 통해 초조해진 멕시코를 공략했다. 

후반 초반 잠시 주도권을 잡은 한국은 후반 3분 이천수-김두현으로 이어지는 짧은 패스연결에 이어 오른쪽 측면 오버래핑을 시도한 박규선에게까지 볼이 연결되며 좋은 역습기회를 잡았다. 그러나 조재진을 향해 올려진 박규선의 크로스가 골키퍼에게 잡히며 아쉬움을 안겼다. 

후반 5분에는 왼쪽에서 김동진이 내준 볼을 이천수가 오른발 논스톱슛으로 연결했지만 빗맞으며 골대를 훨씬 벗어나고 말았다. 

후반 5분이 넘어서자 한국은 멕시코에게 다시 주도권을 내줬고, 멕시코는 거세게 공격을 펼쳤다. 후반 교체투입된 이스마엘 이니게즈(푸마스 UNAM)가 잇따라 오른쪽 돌파를 시도했고, 6분에도 오른쪽 측면돌파에 이어 중앙으로 패스를 연결했지만 김영광이 정확한 판단으로 볼을 잡으며 위기를 넘겼다. 

그러나 한국도 호락호락하지는 않았다. 후반 15분 김두현의 패스를 받은 김정우가 강력한 오른발 중거리슛을 시도했으나 골키퍼의 선방에 걸리고 말았다. 그러나 매우 위협적인 슛. 

이어서 김호곤 감독은 정경호를 대신해 최성국을 투입하며 변화를 꾀했다. 개인기와 스피드가 뛰어난 최성국으로 하여금 상대 수비진을 휘젓게 하며, 기회를 엿보겠다는 의도. 

그리고 최성국의 투입을 기점으로 한국은 다시 활기를 띄며 경기주도권을 되찾아올 수 있었다. 후반 16분에는 박규선의 오른쪽 크로스를 조재진이 뒤로 흘려주자 최성국이 잡아 골로 연결시켰지만, 오프사이드에 걸리고 말았다. 

또한 후반 17분에는 역습기회에서 이천수가 드리블 돌파를 시도했고, 조재진이 수비수를 달고 측면으로 빠져주며 생긴 공간에서 그대로 오른발 중거리슛을 시도했지만 수비 맞고 골대를 벗어나고 말았다. 이어 최성국이 왼쪽 측면에서 상대 수비수 2명을 제치고 오른발슛을 시도했지만 이것 역시 골대를 벗어났다. 

후반 21분 멕시코의 징야(톨루카)의 중거리슛을 김영광의 선방으로 막아낸 한국은 후반 24분 이천수를 대신해 최태욱을 투입하며 빠른 역습을 더욱 강화하려는 모습을 보여줬다. 

그리고 만회골을 터트리기 위해 초조해진 멕시코를 맞이해 빠른 역습으로 여러 차례 득점기회를 만들어나갔다. 

후반 26분에는 조재진과 최태욱의 패스연결에 이어 최태욱이 장거리슛을 시도했으나 약했고, 31분에는 조재진-최성국-최태욱으로 이어지는 유기적인 패스연결가 이뤄졌지만 마지막에 최태욱이 최종수비수를 따돌리는데 실패하며 아쉬움을 안겼다. 

또한 후반 32분에는 페널티 에어리어 안에서 조재진-최성국으로 이어지는 패스연결이 있었고, 이후 최성국이 뒤로 내주자 김두현이 달려들며 날카로운 왼발슛을 시도했으나 골키퍼 선방에 걸리고 말았다. 

잇따른 역습기회에서 추가득점에 실패한 한국은 후반 막판으로 가는 상황에서도 멕시코의 공세를 효과적으로 막아내며 승리에 다가섰다. 똑같이 공격주도권을 내준 상황이었지만, 뭔가 불안한 감이 많았던 그리스전과 비교할 때 멕시코의 공격에 맞서는 한국 수비진의 모습은 한결 여유가 있었다. 따라서 경기를 지켜보는 입장에서도 실점을 허용하지는 않겠다라는 예감이 들었을 정도. 

어느덧 경기는 후반 44분으로 향하고 있었고, 한국은 체력이 떨어진 김두현을 대신해 최원권(서울)을 투입했다. 이어 후반 45분에는 징야의 오른발 중거리슛을 김영광이 잘 막아냈고, 인저리타임에 최태욱이 단독 드리블 돌파로 멕시코의 최종수비수까지 제치며 왼발슛을 시도했으나 골키퍼 선방에 막히고 말았다. 추가득점을 올릴 수 있는 좋은 기회여서 아쉬웠던 순간. 

결국 경기는 1-0으로 마감됐고, 한국은 말리와 함께 1승 1무(승점4점)를 기록했지만 골득실에서 1점 뒤지며 조 2위를 달리게 됐다. 

따라서 한국은 18일 새벽 2시 30분에 열리는 말리와의 최종전에서 무승부만 기록해도 자력으로 8강 진출에 성공하게 된다. 만약 한국이 말리에게 패하게 된다면 그리스-멕시코전의 결과에 따라 8강행 여부가 결정된다. 
 

- A조 경기결과 - 

한국(1승 1무) 1-0 멕시코(1무 1패) 
->득점: 김정우(전16) 

말리(1승 1무) 2-0 그리스(1무 1패) 
 

- 한국 출전선수명단 - 

GK: 김영광 
DF: 박용호, 유상철, 조병국 
MF: 박규선, 김정우, 김두현(후44 최원권), 이천수(후24 최태욱), 김동진 
FW: 정경호(후15 최성국), 조재진 
 
[KFA 대한축구협회] 

[#12] Greece : Mali = 0 : 2 
14 aug 2004 THESSALONIKI /Kaftanzoglio Stadium  

Goals Scored: BERTHE Mamadi (MLI) 2 ' , NDIAYE Tenema (MLI) 45 '  
 

Ghana leave it late to pip Paraguay (2:1) 

Goals Scored: GAMARRA Carlos (PAR) 76 ' , TIERO William (GHA) 81 ' , APPIAH Stephen (GHA) 84 '  
 
Ghana struck twice in three minutes late on to defeat Paraguay 2-1 in a Group B encounter that burst into life 15 minutes from time.  Goals from William Tiero and Stephen Appiah in Thessaloniki cancelled out a Carlos Gamarra header as Ghana leapfrogged over Paraguay to join Italy on four points. The South Americans now need to defeat the Azzurri to qualify for the quarters while Ghana need only a point to make certain of reaching the last eight.  
  
With five forwards officially listed in the starting 11, Ghana started off like a train. Appiah, whose confidence had been boosted by a wonder goal in the 2-2 draw against Italy, began the match brightly. Playing in a position just between the forward and midfield lines, the Juventus player was at the heart of the Africans' good early work.   

Ghana seemed intent on emulating their opening assault that had stunned Italy three days before and there was only six minutes on the clock when Appiah cut inside his man and shot just wide. With three points under their belt, Paraguay were not about to give up their own game plan of counter-attacking and go toe-to-toe, but the shooting boots of Aureliano Torres, who had eight shots in the opening match, were at work again whistling wide efforts in quick succession. 

Aggressive, fast and not afraid to shoot, Ghana pushed forward and William Tiero, one of only four in the starting line-up plying their trade back home, first blasted wide, then, from 25 yards, inches over. 

Slowly but surely, the more experienced South Americans began to draw the sting out of the Africans early thrust. Their defensive wall, marshalled superbly by skipper Carlos Gamarra, stood rock solid, shattering the Black Stars early momentum and, as a clutch of Ghanaian supporters quietened, the Guaranis began to dictate the pace of the game.       

With Mariano Barreto's Ghana side lacking ideas now, Paraguay's Edgar Barreto, no relation, almost broke the deadlock a minute before the break but his long-range effort fizzed past the upright. 

The second half started much as the first. Captain Yussif Chibsah shaved the post with a bullet of a shot and only a miraculous flying turn over from another Barreto, Diego, kept out a soaring John Mensah a header. Reappearing slightly to the left of centre, Appiah bent a free kick over and then scorched another right-footer onto the eighth lane of the running track. But the Africans were not getting any closer and Paraguay hit them with their first decent chance of the half. 

Substitute Fredy Bareiro had just mistimed a golden headed opportunity, but from the resultant corner, Gamarra thundered a header home past George Owu down on his knees (1-0, 76). 

Owu might have been down but his outfield players were not and the introduction of Kwadwo Poku changed the game. With Paraguay surprisingly pushing players upfield for a second, the Denmark-based forward set off on a long run covering three-quarters of the field before slipping the perfect ball to Tiero who side-footed home left footed (1-1, 81). Three minutes later and the impish striker beat his man on the left corner of the area and crossed for Appiah to poke into the far corner and set off jubilation among the colourful African support (1-2, 84). 

"We thought we had them," admitted a disappointed Paraguay coach Carlos Jara afterwards. "We were in control and they were causing us no problems but in a few minutes, with two chances, the game was lost. Now we have to regroup and focus on the last game, Italy." 

"We had no luck against Italy but today we did - and we had fight," smiled Barreto. "Sometimes substitutions work, sometimes they don't. After we conceded, the pressure of winning was lifted from my boys shoulders and they played how I know they can." 
  

[#16] Japan : Italy = 2 : 3 
15 aug 2004 VOLOS /Panthessaliko Stadium  
 
Quick-fire Italy send Japan packing (3:2) 

Goals Scored: DE ROSSI Daniele (ITA) 3 ' , GILARDINO Alberto (ITA) 8 ' , ABE Yuki (JPN) 21 ' , GILARDINO Alberto (ITA) 36 ' , TAKAMATSU Daiki (JPN) 91 '  
 
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter visited the Panthessaliko Stadium in Volos and told a throng of journalists to expect an exciting clash between Japan and Italy. He was not wrong.  
  
The Italians made a dream start when Emiliano Moretti, the only player in the starting eleven to ply his trade at a foreign club, released Giuseppe Sculli down the left wing. Sculli delivered an inch-perfect cross for Daniele de Rossi, whose spectacular side volley 11 yards out gave Japanese goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata no chance (0-1, 3'). 

Japan strived to get a foothold in the game, but the Squadra Azzurra refused to relent. Young sensation Alberto Gilardino, who scored the vital equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Ghana, lost Teruyuki Moniwa in the area before poking the pall into the bottom right-hand corner with his left foot from 14 yards (0-2, 8'). After conceding four in their opening match against Paraguay, Japanese plans to give a solid defensive performance were left in tatters inside ten minutes. 

The Asian team had their first real sight of goal after 18 minutes, but the deflected shot was held by athletic Italian goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli at the second opportunity (18). At the other end, Gilardino almost doubled his tally with an attempted lob over Sogahata. 
  
Just as they had done in their first group game, Japan demonstrated that they are not lacking in character, Yuki Abe curling a 22-yard free-kick past the helpless Pelizzoli to bring his team back into the game (1-2, 21'). Indeed, they could have cancelled out the deficit completely when a long midfield ball from captain Shinji Ono almost found Yoshito Okubo in front of goal (23). Coach Masakuni Yamamoto's team tried to open up the Italian defence with short passing, but Claudio Gentile's men were on their guard. 

The European team were lethal on the attack: Moretti whipped in a dream cross to Gilardino in the Japanese penalty and the in-form striker made no mistake from ten yards, calmly slotting the ball home for his third of the tournament (1-3, 36'). Japan's strikeforce continued to cause problems for the Italian rearguard, Okubo's  accurate header forcing a fantastic save from Pelizzoli (41). Two minutes later, the lively number 16 tested the Italian shotstopper again with a left-footed drive. 

Japan maintained the pressure after the interval, pushing the Italians back towards their own goal, but chances were few and far between. The game became a little flat as Italy protected their 3-1 advantage by stifling the pace of the game. In the latter stages, however, they mustered a final flourish, Daniela Bonera's cross from the right-hand side forcing Japan's defence into action (84). The Japanese responded through the irrepressible Okubo, only for his control to let him down in front of goal (85). 

Daiki Takamatsu ensured a dramatic three minutes of added time when he bundled Abe's free-kick across the line (2-3, 90+). Italy managed to hold on for victory though, ending Japan's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals after two defeats. 

Japan coach Masakuni Yamamoto remained positive after the final whistle: "All of my players have accumulated valuable experience. We played well in both games. That will benefit us for the 2006 FIFA World Cup." 

Italy look forward to 'cup final' against Paraguay 
Italian coach Claudio Gentile was already looking forward after his side's narrow victory: "We know that Japan had recently won the Asia Cup and would be tough opponents. Now we have a cup final against Paraguay." 

Gilardino, whose two goals proved a major contribution to the victory added: "It was a good game. I'm very happy. We controlled the game after going ahead 3-1. Now we are looking ahead to the game against Paraguay." 

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter said of the encounter: "The game was played at a very high tempo in the first half. Japan were a little too impetuous going forward. Italy's players are all professionals and controlled the game in the second half. It was a fantastic, entertaining game for the fans tonight." 
 
 

Goals Scored: CAHILL Tim (AUS) 11 ' , ALOISI John (AUS) 46+ ' , ALOISI John (AUS) 57 ' , ELRICH Ahmad (AUS) 60 ' , RADONJIC Srdan (SCG) 72 ' , ELRICH Ahmad (AUS) 86 '  
 
  
 

[#11] Argentina : Tunisia = 2 : 0 
14 aug 2004 PATRAS /Pampeloponnisiako Stadium  

Goals Scored: TEVEZ Carlos (ARG) 39 ' , SAVIOLA Javier (ARG) 72 '  
 
 
 

Iraq skip past Ticos to reach quarters (0:2) 

Goals Scored: HAWAR MULLA MOHAMMED (IRQ) 67 ' , MAHDI KARIM (IRQ) 72 '  

Iraq became the first side from Group D to earn a berth in the last eight of the Men's Olympic Football Tournament after a deserved 2-1 win over Costa Rica in Athens. The Boys from Baghdad turned on the style in the second half and guaranteed their progress with another explosive display of attacking football. The Ticos, for their part, will have to await the outcome of their final group game against Portugal before finding out their fate.  
  
Just as they did in Patras, the colourful Iraqi following made their presence felt as they roared on their idols to glory. The Karaiskaki Stadium was awash with red, white and black after second-half goals from Mohammed Hawar and Karim Mahdi fired the Asian outfit into the quarter-finals with their second straight win. 

"Right now, we know there are joyous scenes on the streets of Iraq. I am so pleased with what we've achieved and I want to pay tribute to all my players. They have been wonderful ambassadors for our country here in Athens," said their euphoric coach Hamd after the game. 

The first half was a lacklustre affair with both sides squandering possession and chances. Iraq looked hurried early on, perhaps feeling the pressure of their anxious supporters, while 
Rodrigo Kenton's charges again lacked pace and composure in the last third of the field. 

It was left to Iraq's Mohammed Emad to take the game to the Ticos, and he went close to breaking the deadlock after one of his trademark breaks down the right ended with a stinging shot that was just pushed wide (19'). As for Costa Rica, they rarely threatened Sabri Tour's goal, and had to make do with some valiant efforts from Pablo Brenes. 

Both sides had their chances to get on the scoresheet before the break. First Akram Nashat missed a double opportunity to beat the outstanding Neighel Drummond in goal (30'). Then minutes late, only the crossbar denied Junior Diaz after he had sprung the Iraqi offside trap (34'). 

Early in the second half, as the Central Americans pushed up in search of goal, they left spaces at the back for the Iraqi counter-attack. Costa Rica's Diaz broke down the left and swung in a low cross which Alavaro Saborio missed by a matter of inches (51'). The Ticos were celebrating moments later when they thought they had scored a perfectly good goal. However, Charles Teemarii, the Tahiti official, ruled it out for offside. "I don't understand why that goal was disallowed. If it had stood, the outcome would have been completely different. But what can you do? These things happen in football," the Costa Rican coach lamented afterwards. 

Iraq, relieved with the let off, then took the game by the scruff of the neck. Mohammed Hawar seized on a bouncing ball in the area and finally broke Drummond's resistance with a low left-foot strike that sparked unbridled celebrations in the stadium (0-1; 67'). 

The frantic efforts by the Tico players to get back on level terms only saw them go further behind. Hawar, who had looked very accomplished all night on the left, whipped in a pinpoint cross that fell perfectly for Karim Mahdi. The Al Talaba player guided the ball home half with his head and half with his shoulder to score his side's second and the game's final goal (0-2; 72'). 

"We looked a lot better in the second half and I was impressed. This team is capable of great things and I think we can continue to progress in this tournament," enthused Hamd at the post-match press conference. 

At 2-0 there was simply no way back for a Costa Rican side that seemed bereft of ideas by the end. For Iraq, the difference could have been even greater by the time the whistle went on another magical night. Amazingly, their thoughts now turn to the quarter-finals. 
  

[#14] Morocco : Portugal = 1 : 2 
15 aug 2004 HERAKLIO /Pankritio Stadium  

Portugal back on track, Morocco on the edge (2:1) 

Goals Scored: CRISTIANO RONALDO (POR) 40 ' , RICARDO COSTA (POR) 73 ' , BOUDEN Bouabid (MAR) 85 '   
 
Portugal and Morocco went into today's encounter knowing that defeat might rule them out of a place in the quarter-finals. As things transpired, it was the Europeans who took a big step towards the next stage by virtue of their superior finishing. Two goals from set-pieces saw them banish the memory of their shock defeat to Iraq and get their quest for Olympic Gold back on track. Morocco are not out of it, but with just one point from their two games, they have a mountain to climb if they are to reach the knock-out stage.   
  
As with so many crunch matches, tonight's clash got off to a very cagey start as the teams sized each other up and probed for weaknesses. Cristiano Ronaldo and Danny constantly switched wings for the Portuguese, while Farid Talhaoui, Mehdi Taouil and Bouchaib El Moubarki popped up all across the frontline for the Moroccans. 

Those tactics were clearly designed to keep the opposing defences guessing, and  it was the Moroccan trio who were the more effective in the early stages. In the 9th minute, El Moubarki raided down the left and pulled an inviting cross back towards the danger zone only for Ricardo Costa to scramble it just away in the nick of time. Three minutes later, Bouabid Bouden whipped another fine ball in from the right, but again the Portuguese contrived to get it clear.  The vibrant Moroccan attack was stretching the Lusitanian defence, but the North Africans could not put the finishing touch to their menacing moves.  "We are missing two very important players in attack in Marouane Chamakh and Jaouad Zairi, and their absence really hurt us tonight," explained manager Mustapha Madih afterwards. 

As the match went on, Portugal began to come more into it, with the improvement mainly down to the fact that Ronaldo was starting to get on the same wave-length as his team-mates. Hugo Almeida thought he had sent the Europeans into the lead in the 20th minute, but his strike was disallowed for off-side.  Nevertheless, the sight of the ball in the back of their opponent's net seemed to inspire Jos? Romao's men. Four minutes later they came within a whisker of notching a legitimate goal. Moroccan goalkeeper Nadir Lamyaghri reacted smartly to punch a vicious cross clear, but Ronaldo collected it at the edge of the six-yard box and, with the 'keeper stranded, fired his shot goalward only for Yazid Kaissi to clear brilliantly off the line. 

Portugal maintained the upper-hand for a while after that, and five minutes before the break they got the breakthrough they had been threatening. Fernando Meira took a quick free-kick from 35 yards to send Ronaldo scampering through on goal and the youngest player in the team showed commendable composure to slot the ball past Lamyaghri and into the net.  "We were punished for a lapse in concentration," admitted Madih. "Our inexperience was all-too-obvious at that point." 

The Europeans re-emerged for the second half intent on extending their lead. Ronaldo came close to grabbing a second from a well-taken free-kick, but the Moroccan defence deflected it off-target. From the ensuing corner, Danny let fly from 20 yards but saw his shot cannon back off the post (51'). After this initial burst of attacking fervour, the Portuguese started to retreat into their shell as the clock ticked down. 

Morocco came in search of an equaliser but found it hard to carve out any clear-cut openings. Azzedine Ourahou went close after 54 minutes, when, after a sweeping team move, he picked up the ball on the right wing and swung in a half-volleyed cross-cum-shot that landed on the roof of the net. In the 69th minute, it was Bouden's turn to try his luck from distance, but his 25-yarder also flew narrowly over the cross-bar. 

The Moroccans Olympic dream all but died in the 73rd minute, when Danny delivered a fine corner to the back post and Ricardo Costa rose high to head home and make it 2-0. 

Five minutes later, the Moroccan nightmare almost got worse, as Bruno Alves unleashed a thunderous free-kick, but Lamyaghri got his finger-tips to the ball and turned it around for a corner. Though they knew their fate had practically been sealed, the Moroccans showed their character by continuing to fight, and their valour was rewarded five minutes from time. Bouden leapt to get on the end of a centre from Ourahou and angled his header into the net. Otmane El Assas then had one last chance to draw the sides level, but he could not beat Moreira and time eventually ran out for the North Africans. 

With Iraq beating Costa Rica (2-0) in the group's other match, Morocco are now almost certainly eliminated. "That's the second game in a row in which we played well but failed to take our chances when they came," said a disappointed Madih afterwards. "Our adventure has come to an end, but we can go home with our heads held high." Meanwhile on the Portuguese side, Romao expressed his satisfaction with his side's display: "Matches against Morocco are always tough," he said, " they are a very experienced team and play a good brand of football. Playing them was an excellent way to prepare for our match against Costa Rica." Portugal know they must win or draw if they are to make the quarter-finals.