Japan was sent tumbling out of the men's Olympic soccer competition Sunday after a 3-2 defeat to European U-21 champion Italy in Group B at the Athens Games.
Italian defender Matteo Ferrari (left) challenges for the ball with Japan's Daiki Takamatsu during their Group B match in Volos, Greece. Italy eliminated Japan with a 3-2 victory.
Two superb goals inside the first eight minutes from Daniele de Rossi and Parma ace Alberto Gilardino put the Italians on their way and after Japan replied through Yuki Abe, Gilardino doubled his tally late in the first half.
Japan battled back and scored through Daiki Takamatsu in second-half stoppage time, but it proved to be too little too late for Masakuni Yamamoto's men.