London 2012 Soccer Google Doodle is a PK Simulator

Google has unleashed yet another time-wasting Olympic Google doodle upon web browsers everywhere. While Google has created a different Google doodle for each day of the London 2012 Olympics, the past few days have featured an easy to learn, yet difficult to master mini-game based on an Olympic sport. Yesterday’s doodle saw players navigating rapids in a slalom canoe.

Today’s doodle features a simulated penalty kick shootout in which the player takes on the role of goalkeeper. The game is vastly simplified, as players can only move left to right and jump. Three goals scored ends the game and the total number of balls deflected counts toward a possible three medal tiers. The shots come faster as the game progresses, so just the same as the past two days, quick reflexes and spot-on timing will be required to achieve three medals. A helpful feature players might not realize at first is that their computer mouse can be used for faster, smoother left-right movement.

As for real Olympic soccer, the U.S. women’s soccer team won their third Olympic gold medal in a row after beating Japan 2-1 in the championship match on Thursday. U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo is being singled out as saving the game for the U.S. after a magnificent save in the 85th minute of the game.

The Olympic men’s soccer competition is still ongoing, and the bronze medal match between South Korea and Japan will take place at 2:45 pm EDT this afternoon. The gold medal match between Brazil and Mexico is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10:00 am EDT.