Monday 6th March
ALGARVE CUP
GROUP A: Russia 6-1 Denmark, Portugal 0-0 Canada
GROUP B: Norway 0-2 Japan, Iceland 0-0 Spain
GROUP C: China 1-2 Australia, Sweden 0-1 Netherlands
Denmark Hit Six Again
Portugal picked up their first point with a 0-0 result against holders Canada.
Goalkeeper Patricia Morais was the hero for the home side, tipping over a Kadeisha Buchanan header, diving to deny Christine Sinclair and a double-save from Deanne Rose and Sinclair.
Denmark previously put six past the hosts and repeated that achievement against Russia.
However. Russia had battled back from having Ekaterina Sochneva dismissed on 24 minutes and going behind to Pernille Harder’s resultant penalty, as they equalised in first-half stoppage time through Margarita Chernomyrdina.
But the Danes made their numerical advantage pay eventually, as Harder went on to complete a hat-trick, with Nicoline Sorensen scoring inbetween and Sarah Dyrehauge adding a couple late on.
First Final For Spain
Spain were goalless against Iceland buy topped Group B to book a place in the Algarve Cup final for the first time.
Kumi Yokoyama bagged a brace as Japan beat Norway 2-0, opening the scoring just before the hour mark and then sealing the win with a late second.
Australia Pip Dutch To Top Spot
The Netherlands edged Sweden 1-0 with an 81st-minute effort from Mandy van den Berg but it was not quite sufficient to win Group C.
Australia took first place with a 2-1 victory over China but had to come from behind to do so.
Wang Shanshan gave China a half-time advantage, which Emily Gielnik cancelled out before 16 year-old Ellie Carpenter hit an 84th-minute decider.
Wednesday’s Play-Offs:
11th Place: Norway v Portugal (2.45)
9th Place: Iceland v China (6.30)
7th Place: Sweden v Russia (6.30)
5th Place: Japan v Netherlands (2.45)
3rd Place: Australia v Denmark (2.45)
Final: Spain v Canada (6.30)
Pictured – First time finalists Spain (sefutbol.com)
