Midfielder Carli Lloyd scored on a first-half volley to lead the US women’s soccer team to a 1-0 win over Japan and put the Americans’ Olympic title defense back on track at the Beijing Games.
The US looked far from gold-medal form, but did enough against a dangerous Japanese side to pick up a much-needed three points in Group G after dropping its opener against Norway.
The Americans created a host of scoring opportunities, but were only able to capitalize in the 27th minute, when Lloyd volleyed a cross from defender Stephanie Cox just under the crossbar.
■GERMANY 1, NIGERIA 0
AP, SHENYANG, CHINA
Defender Kerstin Stegemann scored a second-half winner as world champions Germany escaped with a 1-0 win over Nigeria.
Stegemann netted the winning goal from close range after a well-timed cross by substitute striker Anja Mittag.
Stegemann sneaked behind the Nigerian defenders at the far post, sending the ball into the top of the net.
Germany got the win despite struggling throughout yesterday’s match at Shenyang Olympic Stadium. Nigeria had some of the best scoring opportunities.
■SWEDEN 1, ARGENTINA 0
AP, TIANJIN, CHINA
Nilla Fischer capitalized on one of Sweden’s numerous scoring opportunities early in the second half yesterday, giving the Scandinavians a 1-0 victory over Argentina and reviving their Olympic hopes.
Fischer knocked in a looping header from the middle of the penalty area from Therese Sjorgan’s 30m free-kick in the 57th minute, enabling Sweden to recover from a 2-1 loss to China in their opener on Wednesday. That had been Sweden’s fourth straight defeat in an Olympic opener.
■BRAZIL 2, N KOREA 1
AP, SHENYANG, CHINA
Marta and Daniela scored a goal each to help Brazil defeat North Korea and stay on track for their first major title.
Daniela opened the scoring in the 14th minute after a mistake by North Korean goalkeeper Jon Myong-hui, who gave the ball away to the striker while trying to keep it from going over the touchline for a corner kick.
Two-time FIFA Player of the Year Marta scored her first goal of the tournament with a left-foot shot from close range in the 22nd minute, beating Jon to the ball inside the area before firing a high shot inside the far post.
■CHINA 1, CANADA 1
AFP, TIANJIN, CHINA
China and Canada ground out a draw yesterday, with both sides missing chances to seal a victory that would have put them in prime position to make the knockout round.
In hot and humid conditions, a frantic three minute burst sparked life into the game with two goals and Canada hitting the crossbar.
Canadian captain Christine Sinclair made the breakthrough 11 minutes before halftime when Kara Lang neatly chested the ball down and lobbed it into her path, leaving the Vancouver Whitecaps star to slot it past keeper Zhang Yanru.
Two minutes later Xu Yuan pulled China level, latching onto a through ball and rounding goalkeeper Erin McLeod.
Less than 60 seconds later, Rhian Wilkinson smashed a shot off China’s crossbar.
■NORWAY 1, N ZEALAND 0
AP, QINHUANGDAO, CHINA
Forward Melissa Wiik headed in an early goal as Norway beat New Zealand and wrapped up a spot in the quarter-finals in women’s soccer at the Beijing Games.
Wiik darted past defender Katie Hoyle to head in a cross from forward Leni Larsen Kaurin in the eighth minute.
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