Norway stuns U.S. in women's Olympic soccer

Norway stuns U.S. in women's Olympic soccer

Norway's women's soccer team pulled off a stunning 2-0 win over the United States in Group G action at the 2008 Beijing Games on Wednesday morning.

The Norwegians earned the upset with a pair of quick goals as Leni Larsen Kaurin struck in the second minute, while fellow forward Melissa Wiik added a second goal less than two minutes later.

"We are satisfied," Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen said. "We are very grateful for the tremendous start we had in this game.

"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."

Norway did hand the U.S. its only other Olympic loss in the 2000 gold-medal match and the current edition of the team is considered a medal contender, but the top-seeded Americans are considered heavy favourites to clinch their second-straight gold medal in the sport.

With the top two teams in each of the three Olympic groups advancing to the quarter-finals in each of the three groups and the next two best teams squeezing into contention, the U.S. still has ample opportunity to advance.

"My glass is always half full, so for us it's a new experience to lose a game," said U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage, adding that she took heart with her team's aggressive play after the break.

"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.

The Americans will face Japan on Saturday before taking on New Zealand on Tuesday.
Talented Norwegian forwards a handful

Norway scored first in the second minute of the game as U.S. defender Lori Chalupny and goalkeeper Hope Solo collided in the penalty area as they attempted to play a crossing attempt. Kaurin capitalized on the blunder, heading the ball over the American players and into the net for a 1-0 lead for Norway.

Wiik doubled the American advantage two minutes later, as she retrieved a through ball from teammate Kate Markgraf on the right side and outraced U.S. captain Christie Rampone to earn a free shot on net. Wiik then curled a right-footed shot over Solo and just inside the far post for a lead that Norway wouldn't relinquish.

The Americans' best opportunities came during stoppage time in the second half. Midfielder Angela Hucles blasted a long shot that appeared destined for the net before Norwegian goalkeeper Erika Skarboe lunged for the save.

Carli Lloyd's strike a minute later was a near carbon copy of Hucles', but it sailed wide of the net to keep the game scoreless.
Hosts top Sweden

The first Chinese team to participate in front of its home fans at the Games was wildly successful as the women's soccer team upset Sweden 2-1 before 37,000 fans in Tianjin.

Han Duan scored the decisive goal, the 101st of her career, in the 72nd minute for China. Xu Yuan scored China's first goal in the sixth minute.

Sweden, ranked third in the world entering the tournament, tied the game with a goal from Lotta Schelin in the 38th minute but couldn't rally for a second goal late in the game.

When Group E play resumes on Saturday, China will face Canada, who opened with a 2-1 over Argentina.
North Korea sits atop Group F with win

North Korea took a surprising early lead atop the standings in Group F after its 1-0 win over Nigeria in Shenyang on Wednesday.

Kyong Hwa scored the game's only goal in the 27th minute, drilling a powerful shot from near the penalty spot past Nigerian goalkeeper Precious Dede after the Nigerian defence failed to clear a cross from the penalty box.

North Korea's lead could have easily been increased to 2-0 in the 43rd minute as captain Ri Kum Suk earned a penalty kick after she had been pulled down inside the area by a Nigerian defender.

Hi missed wide and the advantage remained just one goal.

The win puts North Korea in first place in Group F with three points. Gold medal contenders Brazil and Germany, who drew 0-0 in the first match of the day at Shenyang Olympic stadium, sit tied for second in the group with one point each.