Brazil Ends Japan’s Winning Streak

An early goal by Alex gave embattled Brazil a 1-0 victory over Japan on Wednesday at Brisbane for a berth in the quarterfinals of the Olympic men’s soccer tournament.

Brazil finished first in Group D and Japan placed second. Brazil, which had a better goal differential, will play Cameroon, while Japan faces the United States on Saturday.

Brazil, coming from a stunning 3-1 loss to South Africa, needed a victory over the unbeaten Japanese to advance, and launched an all-out attack from the very beginning.

The effort paid off when Alex outjumped two defenders to head in the only goal. It came off a centering pass by Marco Aurelio from the right wing.

Slovakia 2, South Africa 1--South Africa (1-2-0) threw away its chances at a quarterfinal spot with its loss to already-eliminated Slovakia (1-2-0) at Canberra.

The South Africans failed to follow up their upset of Brazil. Two goalkeeping blunders by Emile Baron--beaten twice at his near post by Juraj Czinege (47th minute) and Jan Slahor (72nd)--meant Benny McCarthy’s 75th-minute strike was little more than a consolation goal.

Apart from a few inaccurate long-range shots, the Slovaks did little to worry the South African keeper. But his error handed them a goal two minutes into the second half.

South Korea 1, Chile 0--Lee Don-gook scored in the first half at Adelaide to give South Korea (2-1-0) the victory, but Chile (2-0-1) still reached the quarterfinals.

Chile finished first in Group B with six points and will meet Nigeria on Saturday.

Lee Dong-gook scored in the 27th minute with a shot from 15 yards on a rebound off Chilean defender Pedro Reyes.

South Korea played with 10 men from the second minute after Slovak referee Lubos Michel ejected Lee Chun-soo for fouling striker Sebastian Gonzalez.

After the goal Chile, playing without veteran striker Ivan Zamorano, dominated the action, creating--and missing--several scoring opportunities.

The Korean defense successfully stopped a number of Chilean attacks. Reinaldo Navia, Rodrigo Tello and Francisco Arrue missed good scoring opportunities.

Spain 2, Morocco 0--Spain (2-1-0) defeated Morocco (0-3-0) at Melbourne to squeeze into the quarterfinals.

Goals from Jose Mari in the 33rd minute and Gabri in injury time put Spain into the next round against Italy on Saturday.

Moroccan goalkeeper El Hussaine Ouchia made a couple of stunning saves at the start of the second half.