2008 Beijing Olympics Women's Football: China vs Argentina
The match between the Chinese and Argentinian women's football teams at the 2008 Beijing Olympics was the final group stage match. China ultimately won 2-0, securing a top spot in their group with a record of 2 wins and 1 draw. Despite this, they lost to the Japanese women's team in the quarterfinals, 0-2, and were eliminated from the competition.
Here are the details of the match:
On August 12, 2008, at 7:45 PM Beijing time, the 2008 Beijing Olympics women's football group stage concluded with China facing Argentina in Qinhuangdao. The first half ended in a 0-0 draw. In the 51st minute of the second half, Argentina defender Hércules accidentally scored an own goal. Gu Yasha added another goal just before the end of the game, securing a 2-0 victory for China.
Starting lineups for the match:
China: Goalkeeper: 18-Han Wenxia; Defenders: 14-Liu Huana, 3-Li Jie, 5-翁新芝, 15-Zhou Gaoping; Midfielders: 11-Pu Wei, 7-Bi Yan, 6-Zhang Na (substituted by Lou Jiahui in the 46th minute), 4-Zhang Ying (substituted by Gu Yasha in the 80th minute); Forwards: 8-Xu Yuan, 9-Han Duan (substituted by 10-Liu San in the 77th minute)
Argentina: Goalkeeper: 18-Corea; Defenders: 2-González, 5-Hércules, 6-Chavez; Midfielders: 4-Mandrile, 10-Coronel (substituted by 8-Mendieta in the 80th minute), 11-Vallejos, 13-Giniones; Forwards: 7-Manicler (substituted by 16-Blanco in the 66th minute), 15-Pereira, 14-Ojeda
Did the Women's Football Team win any awards at the Beijing Olympics?
On August 15th at 9:00 PM Beijing time, the women's football quarter-finals took place at the Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center. China faced Japan. In the 14th minute, Japan scored from a corner kick via a header by Zawahohi. In the 78th minute, Nagiri Yuko scored a goal, putting China at a disadvantage. Ultimately, China lost 0-2 to Japan and were eliminated from the competition. This marked the ninth consecutive time China had failed to reach the semi-finals of a major international tournament since their runner-up finish at the 1999 Women's World Cup in the United States.
The women's football team did not win any awards.
Zhang Wenxiu, a Chinese athlete, won a bronze medal in the women's hammer throw final at the Beijing Olympics, securing a valuable medal for the Chinese athletics team.
The women's hammer throw was a gold medal event.
What were the scores of China's football matches at the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
China Men's Football Team Results at the 2008 Beijing Olympics:
Group Stage:
- China 1-1 New Zealand
- China 0-2 Belgium
- China 0-3 Brazil
China was eliminated after finishing 3rd in their group with a record of 1 draw and 2 losses.
China Women's Football Team Results at the 2008 Beijing Olympics:
Group Stage
- China 2-1 Sweden
- China 1-1 Canada
- China 2-0 Argentina
Quarterfinals
- China 0-2 Japan (5th Place)
What was China's Women's Football Team ranking at the 2008 Olympics?
The Chinese women's football team finished in 5th place at the Beijing Olympics, mirroring their position at the 2000 Sydney Olympics under the leadership of Ma Yuan'an. While they continued their streak of not reaching the semi-finals of major international tournaments, their performance was a significant improvement compared to the humiliating 0-8 loss they experienced at the Athens Olympics four years prior. This, especially against the backdrop of the men's national Olympic team's disastrous performance, made the women's team's Olympic results a source of pride for some.
However, the reality is far more complex than such a lopsided comparison might suggest. With the unparalleled advantage of long-term centralized training that the Chinese women's team enjoyed, they should have made a breakthrough at their home Olympics. This is similar to how China broke the dominance of South Korea in archery and overcame the dominance of Europe in rowing.
However, during the four-year preparation period leading up to the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese Football Association, led by Xie Yalong, made decisions that deviated from the natural progression of the sport, prioritizing power over public opinion. This resulted in the Chinese women's team's dream of a breakthrough at their home Olympics being crushed. If these deeply ingrained systemic failures are not seriously addressed, this "systematic man-made disaster" is bound to persist, regardless of whether Xie Yalong remains in power or not.
2008 Olympics Football Competition Details
Men's Football Draw Results:
| Group | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | Tier 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Côte d'Ivoire | Argentina | Australia | Serbia |
| B | Netherlands | Nigeria | Japan | United States |
| C | China | New Zealand | Brazil | Belgium |
| D | South Korea | Cameroon | Honduras | Italy |
Women's Football Draw Results:
| Group | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | Tier 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | China | Sweden | Argentina | Canada |
| F | North Korea | Nigeria | Germany | Brazil |
| G | Norway | United States | Japan | New Zealand |
Competition format:
- 10 group stage matches
- 2 knockout rounds
China's groups:
- China Men's Team (Group C): New Zealand, Belgium, Brazil
- China Women's Team (Group E): Sweden, Canada, Argentina
China Men's Football Team Group Stage Schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| August 7th | China vs New Zealand | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
| August 10th | China vs Belgium | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
| August 13th | China vs Brazil | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
China Women's Football Team Group Stage Schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| August 6th | China vs Sweden | Tianjin Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
| August 9th | China vs Canada | Tianjin Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
| August 12th | China vs Argentina | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
Key Men's Football Matches:
- August 7th: Brazil vs Belgium, China vs New Zealand
- August 10th: New Zealand vs Brazil, Belgium vs China
- August 13th: Netherlands vs Japan
- August 16th: Quarterfinals
Men's Football Group Stage Round 1:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 7th | A3 vs A4 | 5:00 PM | Shanghai Stadium |
| August 7th | A1 vs A2 | 7:45 PM | Shanghai Stadium |
| August 7th | B3 vs A4 | 5:00 PM | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium |
| August 7th | B1 vs B2 | 7:45 PM | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium |
| August 7th | C3 vs C4 | 5:00 PM | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
| August 7th | C1 vs C2 | 7:45 PM | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
| August 7th | D3 vs D4 | 5:00 PM | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
| August 7th | D1 vs D2 | 7:45 PM | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
Men's Football Group Stage Round 2:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 10th | A2 vs A3 | 5:00 PM | Shanghai Stadium |
| August 10th | A4 vs A1 | 7:45 PM | Shanghai Stadium |
| August 10th | B2 vs A3 | 5:00 PM | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium |
| August 10th | B4 vs B1 | 7:45 PM | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium |
| August 10th | C2 vs C3 | 5:00 PM | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
| August 10th | C4 vs C1 | 7:45 PM | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
| August 10th | D2 vs D3 | 5:00 PM | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
| August 10th | D4 vs D1 | 7:45 PM | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
Men's Football Group Stage Round 3:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 13th | B1 vs B3 | 5:00 PM | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
| August 13th | B2 vs B4 | 5:00 PM | Beijing Workers Stadium |
| August 13th | D1 vs D3 | 5:00 PM | Shanghai Stadium |
| August 13th | D2 vs D4 | 5:00 PM | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium |
| August 13th | A1 vs A3 | 7:45 PM | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium |
| August 13th | A2 vs A4 | 7:45 PM | Beijing Workers Stadium |
| August 13th | C1 vs C3 | 7:45 PM | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
| August 13th | C2 vs C4 | 7:45 PM | Shanghai Stadium |
Men's Football Quarterfinals:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 16th | C Group 1st vs D Group 2nd (Q3) | 6:00 PM | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
| August 16th | D Group 1st vs C Group 2nd (Q4) | 6:00 PM | Beijing Workers Stadium |
| August 16th | A Group 1st vs B Group 2nd (Q1) | 9:00 PM | Shanghai Stadium |
| August 16th | B Group 1st vs A Group 2nd (Q2) | 9:00 PM | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center |
Men's Football Semi-finals:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 19th | Q2 vs Q4 (S2) | 6:00 PM | Shanghai Stadium |
| August 19th | Q1 vs Q3 (S1) | 9:00 PM | Beijing Workers Stadium |
Men's Football Third Place Match:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 22nd | S1 Loser vs S2 Loser | 7:00 PM | Shanghai Stadium |
Men's Football Final:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 23rd | S1 Winner vs S2 Winner | 12:00 PM | Beijing National Stadium |
Women's Football Schedule:
Women's Football Group Stage Round 1:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 6th | E3 vs E4 | 5:00 PM | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium |
| August 6th | E1 vs E2 | 7:45 PM | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium |
| August 6th | F3 vs F4 | 5:00 PM | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
| August 6th | F1 vs F2 | 7:45 PM | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
| August 6th | G3 vs G4 | 5:00 PM | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
| August 6th | G1 vs G2 | 7:45 PM | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
Women's Football Group Stage Round 2:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 9th | E2 vs E3 | 5:00 PM | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium |
| August 9th | E4 vs E1 | 7:45 PM | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium |
| August 9th | F2 vs F3 | 5:00 PM | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
| August 9th | F4 vs F1 | 7:45 PM | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
| August 9th | G2 vs G3 | 5:00 PM | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
| August 9th | G4 vs G1 | 7:45 PM | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
Women's Football Group Stage Round 3:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 12th | F2 vs F4 | 5:00 PM | Beijing Workers Stadium |
| August 12th | F1 vs F3 | 5:00 PM | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium |
| August 12th | E2 vs E4 | 7:45 PM | Beijing Workers Stadium |
| August 12th | E1 vs E3 | 7:45 PM | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
| August 12th | G2 vs G4 | 7:45 PM | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
| August 12th | G1 vs G3 | 7:45 PM | Shanghai Stadium |
Women's Football Quarterfinals:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 15th | F Group 1st vs G Group 2nd (Q2) | 6:00 PM | Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium |
| August 15th | G Group 1st vs E or F Group 3rd (Q3) | 6:00 PM | Shanghai Stadium |
| August 15th | E Group 1st vs F or G Group 3rd (Q1) | 9:00 PM | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium |
| August 15th | D Group 1st vs C Group 2nd (Q4) | 9:00 PM | Shenyang Wulihe Stadium |
Women's Football Semi-finals:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 18th | Q2 vs Q4 (S2) | 6:00 PM | Shanghai Stadium |
| August 18th | Q1 vs Q3 (S1) | 9:00 PM | Beijing Workers Stadium |
Women's Football Third Place Match:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 21st | S1 Loser vs S2 Loser | 6:00 PM | Beijing Workers Stadium |
Women's Football Final:
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 21st | S1 Winner vs S2 Winner | 9:00 PM | Beijing Workers Stadium |
Key Events and Schedule at the Beijing Olympics
August 9th: Day 1
Gold Medals: 7
Medal Distribution: Cycling (1), Fencing (1), Weightlifting (1), Judo (2), Shooting (2)
Key Points: After preliminary football matches on the 6th and 7th and the Opening Ceremony on the 8th, the Beijing Olympics officially begin on the 9th. The most significant event will be the awarding of the first Olympic gold medal. The women's 10m air rifle final will take place at the Beijing Shooting Range at 10:30 AM. Almost concurrently, the women's weightlifting 48kg final will also commence. Additionally, the group stages of basketball and volleyball will begin today.
China's medal contenders: Du Li, who won the first gold medal for China four years ago, will once again compete for the first gold of the Beijing Olympics. The veteran Zhao Yinghui, competing in her third Olympics, will provide a second chance for China to win the first gold. Tan Xue, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist and China's top female fencer, will compete in the women's foil final. One of Wang Mingjuan, Yang Lian, or Chen Xiexia will represent China in the women's weightlifting 48kg final, aiming to reclaim the only women's weightlifting gold that China lost four years ago.
August 10th: Day 2
Gold Medals: 14
Medal Distribution: Cycling (1), Fencing (1), Weightlifting (2), Judo (2), Swimming (4), Diving (1), Shooting (2), Archery (1)
Key Points: Day 2 sees the Olympics fully open. The first events in the lucrative aquatic disciplines commence, with swimming awarding 4 gold medals. China's strong point, diving, will also see its first gold medal of the Games awarded. In men's basketball, the Chinese team led by Yao Ming will face the US "Dream Team." This match is a must-watch.
China's medal contenders: As the new world champion, Wang Lei will aim for the first Olympic gold in men's fencing at 9:00 PM. China will send either Li Ping or Qiu Hongxia for the women's 53kg weightlifting event. Li Zheng, a young athlete, will replace Wu Meijin, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, in the men's 56kg category. The first diving gold medal will be awarded in the women's 3m springboard synchronized event. Guo Jingjing and Wu Minxia are aiming to secure this gold medal. The women's 10m air pistol and women's judo 52kg events are also worth watching.
August 11th: Day 3
Gold Medals: 13
Medal Distribution: Fencing (1), Weightlifting (2), Judo (2), Swimming (4), Diving (1), Shooting (2), Archery (1)
Key Points: After the excitement of the first weekend, day 3 is relatively calmer. The canoe slalom events will begin today. While Chinese athletes haven't achieved significant results in this discipline, canoe slalom is visually captivating, especially during a hot summer. Beach volleyball, combining leisure, entertainment, and competition, is another excellent option.
China's medal contenders: Chen Yanqing, with the dual identity of defending champion and host nation athlete, will hold a significant advantage in the women's 58kg weightlifting event. Young athletes Lin Yue/Huo Liang (or Zhou Lyuxin) will participate in the men's 10m platform synchronized final. Whether this young combination can handle the pressure of such a major competition remains to be seen. In shooting, Zhu Qinan, the "prodigy" of the Athens Olympics, will return to the men's 10m air rifle final.
August 12th: Day 4
Gold Medals: 19
Medal Distribution: Canoeing (2), Fencing (1), Equestrian (2), Gymnastics (1), Weightlifting (2), Judo (2), Wrestling (2), Swimming (4), Diving (1), Shooting (2)
Key Points: The Hong Kong venue will see its first final day, giving Hong Kong sports enthusiasts a chance to witness the awarding of the first equestrian gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. The equestrian event, a combination of showmanship and competition, is sure to captivate spectators. The globally popular gymnastics will also see its first gold medal awarded.
China's medal contenders: The men's gymnastics team final is a top priority for China on this day. The Chinese men's team led by Yang Wei has performed well in recent years, lacking only an Olympic gold medal. In the men's 69kg weightlifting, Shi Zhiyong, the 2004 Olympic champion in the 62kg category who has gained weight, and Zhang Guozheng, the reigning champion in this category, will be the two medal contenders. Young athletes Chen Ruolin and Wang Xin will compete in the women's 10m platform synchronized final. Veteran Tan Zongliang, a four-time Olympian, will aim for his first Olympic gold in the men's 50m pistol slow-fire event.
August 13th: Day 5
Gold Medals: 17
Medal Distribution: Cycling (2), Fencing (2), Gymnastics (1), Weightlifting (2), Judo (2), Wrestling (2), Swimming (4), Diving (1), Shooting (1)
Key Points: On this evening, all media around the world will focus their lenses on the Water Cube's swimming pool as American "superhuman" Michael Phelps continues his pursuit of an eight-gold medal Olympic dream. In the widely popular men's football, China will face Brazil in Qinhuangdao. The appearance of former World Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho is sure to ignite the passion of all the fans in the stadium.
China's medal contenders: The Chinese women's gymnastics team stood at the top of the podium for the first time in the women's team event at the 2007 World Championships. Whether they can achieve a breakthrough in the Olympics remains to be seen. In the Water Cube's swimming pool, if Phelps's stamina suffers from consecutive days of competition, Wu Peng could challenge him with the advantage of a home crowd. Liu Chunhong in women's 69kg weightlifting, Qin Kai/Wang Feng in the men's 3m springboard synchronized event, and Chen Ying in women's 25m sport pistol have a chance to win gold medals for China in their respective categories.
August 14th: Day 6
Gold Medals: 17
Medal Distribution: Canoeing (2), Equestrian (1), Fencing (1), Gymnastics (1), Judo (2), Wrestling (3), Swimming (4), Shooting (2), Archery (1)
Key Points: The US men's basketball team and defending champions Argentina men's basketball team will both play today. Their relatively relaxed group stage matches might give viewers a chance to see more entertaining basketball. The equestrian dressage competition held in Hong Kong is also very visually appealing, with the graceful movements of the horses and the riders' masterful control sure to leave a lasting impression on the audience.
China's medal contenders: Yang Wei, who has missed out on the gold medal twice in the all-around event in two consecutive Olympics, will compete in the men's all-around event. The 28-year-old veteran has won the all-around gold medal twice for China at the World Championships. In the women's trap double-trap event, China's Wei Ning, the World Cup final champion, will face a formidable challenge from numerous foreign competitors.
August 15th: Day 7
Gold Medals: 16
Medal Distribution: Athletics (2), Badminton (1), Cycling (1), Fencing (1), Gymnastics (1), Weightlifting (2), Judo (2), Swimming (4), Fencing (1), Archery (1)
Key Points: The Athletics competition, which yields the most gold medals, finally gets underway. On this day, the men's shot put and women's 10,000m finals will take place. The highly anticipated men's 100m sprint will also see its first two rounds of competition. Football enters its knockout stage with the four women's quarterfinals being held across different venues. In the aquatic events, Phelps will compete in his specialty, the 200m individual medley final, continuing his pursuit of an eight-gold medal dream.
China's medal contenders: In badminton, after several days of preliminary matches, the women's doubles gold medal will be decided today, which is China's best chance for a medal in this discipline. Qi Hui will compete in the 200m breaststroke. This is one of the few remaining opportunities for China's swimming team to secure a gold medal since the retirement of Luo Xuejuan. In the women's judo +78kg category, 25-year-old Tong Wen has the potential to continue China's dominance in this category.
August 16th: Day 8
Gold Medals: 30
Medal Distribution: Athletics (4), Rowing (7), Badminton (2), Cycling (3), Fencing (1), Weightlifting (1), Wrestling (2), Swimming (4), Tennis (2), Shooting (2), Sailing (2)
Key Points: The first peak of the Beijing Olympics arrives as 30 gold medals will be awarded across 11 competitions
