Italian men's soccer team blanks Honduras in Beijing

Last Updated: Thursday, August 7, 2008 | 6:59 AM ET

CBC Sports

Italy's Sebastian Giovinco reacts after scoring the first goal for Italy during the Group D men's soccer match against Honduras at the 2008 Beijing Olympics on Thursday. (Vincent Thian/Associated Press)

Italy opened the men's soccer tournament at the 2008 Beijing Games with a 3-0 win over Honduras on Thursday at the Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium.

Italy's three goals came within 10 minutes before halftime.

It was the first of several games slated on the first day of men's soccer, the only sport starting play before the Summer Olympic opening ceremonies on Friday.

Forward Sebastian Giovinco opened the scoring in the 41st minute, while Guiseppe Rossi and Robert Acquafresca added goals on penalty kicks to give Italy three points in Group D, which includes South Korea and Cameroon.

"I am of course very happy with our performance,'' Italy coach Pierluigi Casiraghi said, before warning with a grin that "we need to keep our feet on the carpet.''

Giovinco's goal was the most impressive of the match — a powerful left-footed strike from just 30 yards out that sailed past Honduran goalkeeper Kevin Hernandez and into the top left corner of the net.

Italy was able to double its lead four minutes later after defender Quiarol Arzu of Honduras was whistled for a handball in the penalty box. Rossi took the ensuing penalty kick for Italy and buried his shot inside the right post just before halftime.

Acquafresca was awarded a penalty kick just minutes into the second half after Hernandez hauled him down in the penalty area. The Italian forward buried his penalty shot to stake his team to the 3-0 advantage.

Honduras had a prime opportunity to get on the board when forward Carlos Pavon was awarded a penalty kick in the 82nd minute, but his shot sailed over the bar.

"You have to give congratulations to Italy,'' Honduras coach Gilberto Yearwood said. "They are a very experienced team and they know how to win.''

The top two teams in each of the four Olympic groups advance to the quarter-finals.

In other men's action:

United States 1, Japan 0

The United States opened play in Group B with a pivotal 1-0 win over Japan at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium.

Stuart Holden ended a three-game scoring drought for the Americans with the game's lone goal in the 47th minute. Holden, who was born in Scotland, fired a shot from the top of the penalty area that Japanese goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa slowed but couldn't prevent from crossing the goal-line.

Before Holden's goal, the Americans had failed to score since a 3-0 victory over Canada in the semifinals of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying. They were blanked in the Olympic qualifier final to Honduras, and also failed to score against Cameroon and Ivory Coast in exhibitions last week at the ING Cup in Hong Kong.

The win was essential for both teams on Thursday as matchups with a pair of potent Group B teams in the Netherlands and Nigeria are scheduled.

"It was very important," U.S. midfielder Freddy Adu said. "Now we have to go against Holland, then Nigeria. I couldn't be happier. The guys couldn't be happier. Peter (Nowak, the coach) couldn't be happier."

Brazil 1, Belgium 0

Brazil began its latest quest for it first Olympic gold medal in men's soccer with a 1-0 win over Belgium at Shenyang Olympic Stadium.

The player known as Hernanes broke a scoreless draw in the 79th minute with the decisive goal for Brazil, firing a hard shot from inside the area into the left-upper corner.

Belgium managed to keep several Brazilian stars, such as Ronaldinho, Diego and Alexandre Pato, in check most of the game. But the turning point came in the 72nd minute, when Belgian defender Vincent Kompany was ejected after receiving a second yellow card.

Brazil, winner of five World Cups, is considered among the favourites to win the men's tournament, but remains in search of its first Olympic gold.

"It's always important to get a win in the opener,'' Brazil's coach Dunga said. "We have a game against New Zealand now and we have to focus on that.''

Australia 1, Serbia 1

Australia and Serbia each scored a goal late in the second half to earn a 1-1 draw in Group A opening play at Shanghai Olympic Stadium.

Ruben Zadkovich struck in the 69th minute for Australia, converting a shot from a tough angle on a crossing pass from teammate David Carney.

Serbia rallied for the tying goal nine minutes later, however, as Slobodan Rajkovic deftly headed a corner kick from Aleksandar Zivkovic past Australian goalkeeper Adam Federici.