COVENTRY, England (AP) -- New Zealand qualified for the quarterfinals of the women's Olympic soccer tournament Tuesday by beating Cameroon 3-1.
Despite losing its first two games of the group stage, New Zealand finished third in Group E and qualified ahead of North Korea on goal difference. The Kiwis will next face the defending champion United States in Newcastle on Friday.
Rebecca Smith scored for New Zealand in the 43rd minute, and an own-goal from Ysis Sonkeng made it 2-0 in the 49th before Sarah Gregorious added a third in the 62nd.
Gabrielle Onguene scored a consolation goal for Cameroon in the 75th minute at the City of Coventry Stadium.
The result left Cameroon at the bottom of the group with no points.