Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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September 20, 2007

Norway Beats Ghana as Women's World Cup Matches Resume in China
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=19921EE:A6F02AD83191E160B515E926823E72999574F7DCC14957C0 Norway trounced
Ghana, 7-2, in Hangzhou to finish as top team from Group-C;  Australia
also advances after playing Canada to a 2-2 draw in Chengdu Clouds and
wind remain in eastern China from the remnants of typhoon Wipha.  But
the rain has stopped and play is resuming at the 16-nation Women's
World Cup football (soccer) tournament.  VOA's Jim Stevenson has this
update.

First round action concludes in Chengdu, Hangzhou and Tianjin. 
Group-C and Group-D are each sending two teams to the
single-elimination quarterfinal round.







Norway's Ragnhild Gulbrandsen, center celebrates with teammates after
scoring against Ghana during a Group C match for the FIFA Women's
World Cup soccer tournament held in Hangzhou, China, 20 Sept.
2007Norway trounced Ghana, 7-2, in Hangzhou to finish as the top team
from Group-C.  Australia also advances after playing Canada to a 2-2
draw in Chengdu.

Brazil appears to be the runaway leader from Group-D while Denmark,
host China and even winless New Zealand have the opportunity to
continue.

U.S. coach Greg Ryan is impressed by the teams in this tournament.  He
says the parity of overall skills will make for an exciting
quarterfinal round.

"Everybody in our group was good," Ryan said. "And I think in some of
the other groups you have seen some of matches that have been very
lopsided.  I think overall there is great parity.  The top teams are
no longer the top teams by miles.  It is going to be a great match
between the next eight teams.  And some very good teams are going
home."

Among those teams going home is Sweden, the 2003 runner-up.  This
tournament marks the first time the Swedes have failed to reach the
quarterfinals at a World Cup. 

The quarterfinal round opens Saturday with the United States facing
England Tianjin, while defending champion Germany plays North Korea in
Wuhan.  The other two quarterfinals are Sunday.  The final is
September 30 in Shanghai.




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