THESSALONIKI, Greece, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. women's soccer team hopes to play up to the occasion Friday when it faces Japan in the Olympic quarterfinals.
The other quarterfinal matchups will send Germany against Nigeria, Mexico against Brazil and Sweden against Australia.
Although the United States managed to win Group G, the team struggled to live up to its high standards. Overmatched Greece held the Americans to a 3-0 decision and Team USA was outplayed by Brazil before pulling out a 2-0 win.
Australia then produced a late goal Tuesday to earn a 1-1 tie with the United States.
"We have not performed in the way we feel we can, and we need to do that to continue in this tournament," said superstar Mia Hamm.
The United States and Japan played to a 1-1 draw in a friendly on June 6.
"They have speed, technique and athleticism with and without the ball and those qualities alone are enough to keep them in the game and create moments in the game where they can be commanding," said U.S. Coach April Heinrichs.
