Coach warns USA has more to give

The United States booked a place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over New Zealand at St James' Park, which was far more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests.

Goals from striker Abby Wambach before the break and substitute Sydney Leroux three minutes from time eased the side into the last four as it kept alive its hopes of a third successive gold.

Sundhage said: "This team since 2008, and I guess before, has been winning so many games, so of course they have been living with the pressure.

"I just look at the team and it feels like they perform under pressure - they like the pressure. The harder it is, the more you get out of the team, almost.

"I think that actually is unique. The US team - and not only this team, you go back to '91 - deals very well with pressure."

Wambach's 27th-minute strike was her fourth in as many games, leading New Zealand coach Tony Readings to describe her as "a nightmare".

Asked about her influence, Sundhage said: "Everything she does on and off the field, she does lead this team.

"If you look at the game today, she scored a goal - huge - so she is in a good place, that's for sure."

New Zealand will head home pleased with its showing at the London Games and confident that its conquerors will go all the way.

Readings said: "When you look at the American team, they are very hard to stop because they have got so many threats in the team.

"You have got those two up front (Wambach and Alex Morgan), you have got Leroux when she comes on late in the game when they are chasing games, and she has got electric pace.

"You have got (Megan) Rapinoe and (Heather) O'Reilly, wingers who can beat defenders one v one at will, (Carli) Lloyd coming in from midfield, you have still got (Shannon) Boxx, who hasn't played yet.

"There are lots of goal scoring threats. They are the sort of team that, if they let in two, they will score three. They can find another gear when they need it and score some goals."