Forward Saloman Kalou's late goal gave Cote d'Ivoire a 1-0 win over Australia and a quarterfinal place in the Olympic men's soccer tournament?in Tianjin, north China,?on Wednesday.
Kalou scored the only goal in the 81st minute when he shot home a cross from captain Gervinho in a counterattack.
Cote d'Ivoire, with four points, finished second in the group, following title favorites Argentina. Australia and Serbia were eliminated.
The young Elephants, with three points from their first two matches, needed at least one point in this game to ensure them a quarterfinal place while the Australians, with one point, had to win the game to reach last eight.
Australia had a good chance in the 20th minute. Forward David Carney cut inside the box and sent a powerful low shot, which was pushed out by goalkeeper Vincent Angban.
In the 54th minute, midfielder Stuart Musialik's free-kick was also stopped by Angban.
Cote d'Ivoire's good opportunity came in the 68th minute when Kalou shot over in the box off cross from captain Gervinho.
(Xinhua News Agency August 13,2008)