'%20id='ico-down'%20stroke='%23000000'%20stroke-width='1.5'%3e%3cg%20transform='translate(1092.250000,%20254.750000)'%3e%3cpolyline%20id='Path-2-Copy-4'%20transform='translate(5.500000,%202.750000)%20scale(1,%20-1)%20rotate(-180.000000)%20translate(-5.500000,%20-2.750000)%20'%20points='0%200%205.5%205.5%2011%200'%3e%3c/polyline%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
8 August 2008
BEIJING – The Olympic football tournament got underway in the Chinese capital Beijing on Thursday and the Dutch team drew 0-0 against Nigeria.
The Dutch team were stronger in the first half but the Nigerian team dominated in the second half. However, neither team managed to score. Just minutes before the final whistle, Dutch midfielder Evander Sno was sent off.
In the other Group B match, the US beat Japan 1-0.
In Group A, Argentina beat Ivory Coast 2-1. Argentinean striker Lionel Messi, who plays for Barcelona, scored the first goal and set up the winning goal for the defending champions. Messi’s participation was in doubt until the last moment.
On Wednesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Barcelona, Schalke and Werder Bremen could recall their players from the games. However, Barcelona allowed the 21-year-old to play for his national team at the last moment. Host nation China beat Belgium by one goal to nil.
[Radio Netherlands / Expatica]
What are your views on the Olympic Games? Will you be supporting your country or host country? Click here to take part in a survey especially conducted by Expatica and Ruigrok | NetPanel.