SHANGHAI, China (AP):
NORWAY OUTPLAYED defending Olympic champions United States 2-0 yesterday as women's football gave the Beijing Games an opening day of top quality comebacks, performances and goals.
Other gold medal contenders Germany and Brazil drew 0-0 in a game that could well have finished 2-2 and hosts China edged Sweden 2-1.
In a meeting of the only two teams to have won the Olympic women's title, 2000 champions Norway looked far better than the 1996 and 2004 gold medallist Americans in Qinhuangdao and scored twice in the first four minutes.
Leni Laursen Kaurin headed the first goal after only two minutes and Melissa Wiik added the second two minutes later.
"We are very grateful for the tremendous start we had in this game," Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen said. "After the great start, I think we played a very, very good defensive game, and there were very few big chances for the United States."
New experience
The Americans, who have been in all three Olympic finals, are aiming to bounce back by beating Japan on Saturday.
"My glass is always half full, so for us it's a new experience to lose a game," said US coach Pia Sundhage. "I'm happy that it's the first game and not the last, so we still have two more games to go, and we'll take out this part - the second half - for when we play against Japan and New Zealand."
In the other Group G game, Japan rallied from two goals down to draw 2-2 with debutants New Zealand so that Norway top the standings. After Kirsty Yallop and Amber Hearn's penalty had given New Zealand a comfortable lead by the 57th minute, Japan hit back through midfielders Aya Miyama and Homare Sawa.
With just a few thousand fans scattered around the Shenyang Olympic Stadium, World Cup finalists Germany and Brazil played their opening Group F game as if it were the final.
Marta, who has established herself as the game's top player, set up a great heading chance for strike partner Cristiane who missed from close range. Germany's Sandra Simek hit the bar at the other end.
Smisek fired wide after being put clear by Birgit Prinz and Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer pushed a powerful angled shot from Cristiane around the post. From the corner, Renata Costa headed against the post.
Good game
Marta then missed the best chance of the game, side-footing wide of the German goal in the 69th minute.
"I think it was a good game for our team. The defence was perfect. We did quite well covering Marta," Germany coach Silvia Neid said.
In the other Group F game in the same stadium, North Korea beat Nigeria 1-0, thanks to a goal by Kim Kyong Wa, and top the standings after the first round of games. Nigeria face Germany and North Korea meet Brazil on Saturday.
