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Strong performances from Colombia on Day Two of the Three-Day Olympic Games qualifying tournament in Santa Fé, Argentina have seen South America’s most populated Spanish speaking nation move towards securing an unlikely spot at the 2016 Olympic Games.
Well placed after Day One Uruguay’s Olympic Dream came crashing down on Day two as both Colombia and Venezuela completed wins against Las Teros. With Argentina recovering from a below-par opening day the Olympic Games qualifying remains wide open. The final day will feature eight games with Argentina and Colombia having the most to lose.
On Sunday Colombia will open against Paraguay a team which recorded a 38-5 victory over Peru on Day Two before losing 41-12 against Argentina. Peru were also on the losing end against the Colombians as were Las Teros whose 12-0 loss against Colombia aided Argentina considerably.
Argentina’s women impressed on Day Two. Victories by 40-0 and 41-12 against Costa Rica and Paraguay saw Argentina climbing the standings to now occupy second place behind Colombia. As such Sunday’s encounter between Argentina and Colombia could well determine who qualifies for the Olympic Games. Before facing Colombia Argentina will, firstly, require a win over Chile.
The winning women’s team will, like the men’s, earn direct qualification to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The 2016 Games are to feature tournaments of twelve countries, eleven of whom are qualifiers joining the host nation of Brazil. Thus far Australia, Brazil, Canada, England (as Great Britain) and New Zealand have qualified in the female division.
While the winning team will earn direct qualification the second and third placed finishes will join teams from the remaining World Rugby regions of Africa (CAR), Asia (ARFU), Europe (FIRA), North America and the Caribbean (NACRA) and Oceania (FORU) in a global repecharge tournament. The winner of this event will secure the final vacancy at the 2016 Olympic Games.
Day Two Results
Paraguay 38-5 Peru
Chile 0-21 Venezuela
Colombia 12-0 Uruguay
Argentina 40-0 Costa Rica
Chile 36-0 Costa Rica
Colombia 41-0 Perú
Uruguay 0-15 Venezuela
Argentina 41-12 Paraguay
Foto Créditos CONSUR Prensa
