We could not have asked for a better opening match because the pressure will be on Brazil as hosts, said Da Gama from Rio after the draw.
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Sweden is the European tournament victor, Japan won the Asian version of the qualifiers, while Colombia beat United States of America in an intercontinental playoff to qualify for Rio.
Such a move would send shockwaves through soccer, especially given the Americans’ Olympic dominance. The good news is the US should have a pretty deep bench, with quality players who can bring fresh legs in Manaus. The USWNT will then face France on August 6, also in Belo Horizonte. They are also the reigning World Cup champions.
The Olympic women’s gold medal match will be played in Rio at Maracana Stadium on August 19.
Boasting the top Federation Internationale de Football Association ranking, the US is favored out of Group G, but No. 3 France should serve as a challenge. The USA was also in Group G at the 2012 Olympics.
Denmark was yesterday drawn in Group A alongside hosts Brazil, South Africa and Iraq.
Another Africa representative Zimbabwe, will do battle in Group F with Canada, Australia and Germany.
“We are advanced with our own work in spite of the complicated political and economic atmosphere and that has not had an impact because the preparations are on schedule”, El Moutawakel said after a three-day visit to the host city.
Nigeria’s third opponent in the group, Colombia, had to negotiate her way to the tournament through a two-legged playoff against the U.S. last month on a 3-2 aggregate. It last played New Zealand in April 2015, winning, 4-0, in St. Louis.
By finishing first in the group, the United States would play a quarterfinal against a third-place team in Brasilia.
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Representatives from a number of qualifying teams took part in the draw event on Thursday, with Brazilian superstars Ronaldinho and Aline serving as draw assistants.
