China beat South Africa 2-0, Brazil, Canada, USA into quarters

Gu Yasha of China celebrates for a goal during a Group E match of women's football at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug 6, 2016. China defeated South Africa 2-0. [Photo/Xinhua]

RIO DE JANEIRO -- An incredible long lob shot by midfielder Tan Ruyin helped China beat South Africa 2-0 on Saturday in the group stage second round of the Rio Olympic women's football tournament.

Forward Gu Yasha broke the deadlock for China before the halftime whistle. Her close-range shot found the net, helping China dominate the match.

Midfielder Tan Ruyin sealed the win for China through a long-distance lob shot from the midfield in the 87th minute.

It has been China's first win in an Olympic women's football tournament since Aug. 12, 2008 when they, as hosts, defeated Argentina in the group stage.

Gu is the only player who ever took apart in Beijing Olympics in the squad. Furthermore, she scored in the game against Argentina eight years ago.

"I was too young at Beijing 2008, but now I would like to bring our team victories again and again as a veteran," Gu told Xinhua.

"We haven't entered the Olympic quarter-final stage yet. We should play each game as the last game and do our best from now on," she added.

On the same day, hosts Brazil kept their wonderful form, crushing Sweden 5-1.

Another two teams who have snatched two wins in a row are Canada and the United States. The defending champions edged France 1-0, while Canada downed Zimbabwe 3-1.

London 2012 quarter-finalists New Zealand defeated Colombia 1-0, and Germany held a 2-2 draw with Australia.

As the top two teams of each group and the best two third placers in three groups will be the quarter-finalists, Brazil who had got two constitutive victories entered to the next stage.