Norway downs US in opener
Norway jumped on the United States from the opening whistle, getting two goals in the first four minutes yesterday to beat the American women's soccer team, 2-0, at the Beijing Olympics.
Norway looked like the medal contender it is supposed to be, while the Americans never looked the part.
Laursen Kaurin outjumped and outmuscled US defender Lori Chalupny to head the ball over charging goalkeeper Hope Solo and into an open net in the second minute.
Two minutes later, Melissa Wiik latched onto a deep pass on the right side after the US lost the ball in midfield. She then outraced US captain Christie Rampone and curled a right-footed shot past Solo.
The loss was the first for US coach Pia Sundhage, who took over in November in the fallout of the team's third-place finish at the 2007 World Cup.
"My glass is always half-full, so for us it's a new experience to lose a game," Sundhage said.
Even though it still has two preliminary matches to play, the US might have cost itself a medal. If the Americans finish second in their group, they'll likely play either Brazil or Germany, teams that have beaten them in the last two World Cup semifinals. The defeat was the first in the preliminaries for the defending champions, and only the second in Olympic history.
Canada 2, Argentina 1 - Canada wore down Argentina to win its Olympic debut, getting a goal in each half and using a significant size advantage to subdue the South Americans. Candace Chapman put Canada ahead in the 27th minute. Kara Lang added the second in the 72d, heading Rhian Wilkinson's free kick from 10 yards.
Japan 2, New Zealand 2 - Midfielders Aya Miyama and Homare Sawa scored second-half goals to rally Japan to a draw with New Zealand. The Kiwis, making their Olympic debut, took the lead in the 33d minute when Kirsty Yallop scored. Amber Hearn converted a penalty kick in the 57th.
China 2, Sweden 1 - Xu Yuan scored in the sixth minute and Han Duan scored the decisive goal in the 72d, her 101st career goal, to lift China.
Germany 0, Brazil 0 - Brazil and Germany played to a scoreless tie in the Group F opener.
North Korea 1, Nigeria 0 - Kim Kyong Hwa scored a first-half goal as North Korea jumped to the lead of Group F with 3 points.
John Powers of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
