Striker Lotta Schelin scored twice to give Sweden a 2-1 win over Canada in their final Group match of the Beijing Olympic Games on Tuesday.
Both teams went into the match earnestly knowing that they had already qualified for the knockout stage.
Sweden, who enjoyed some skill edge, ran Canada's defence ragged with a well-organized attack at the 19th minute when Schelin raced to a short and timely pass and put the ball behind Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod.
Three minutes later, Canada nearly leveled the score when midfielder Diana Matheson was put on a solo run. But her effort was thwarted by the charging Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.
At the 51st minute, McLeod was wrong-footed by Sweden substitute Jessica Landstrom's tricky pass and unmarked Schelin tapped the ball in near the goal-line.
Canada pulled one goal back at the 63rd minute thanks to Melissa Tancredi's fascinating diving header.
Sweden, with two wins and one loss, finshed second in the group, and will play Germany in the quaterfinals.
Canada, with one win, one draw and one loss in the group, also qualified for the quarterfinals as one of the best group third finishers.
(Xinhua News Agency August 12,2008)