WUHAN: China signalled its World Cup intent with a fighting 3-2 defeat of tricky European side Denmark as former champion Norway came from behind to beat Canada 2-1 yesterday.
China's group D rival Brazil, meanwhile, lashed soccer minnow New Zealand 5-0 in a resounding display of skills, while Australia snapped a 12-year winless World Cup streak by beating Ghana 4-1 in group C.
Substitute Song Xiaoli came to China's rescue, pouncing in the 88th minute with an amazing long-range strike to foil the Danish comeback plans after veteran Cathrine Paaske's 2-2 equalizer just seconds earlier.
"Nobody ever gave up," captain Li Jie said immediately after the game.
A hard-running China once again showed that determination and speed sometimes matter more than physique and technique.
In front of a near-capacity home crowd at the 52,000-seat Wuhan Sports Center Stadium, China struck first when Li capitalized on a Danish foul to put her team 1-0 up in the 31st minute.
Bi Yan made it 2-0 19 minutes later. Denmark fought back but it was Song who stole the honours to earn China three points.
Norway, ranked four and who won the trophy in 1995, had captain Ane Stangeland Horpestad to thank in Hangzhou after she struck a late winner that leaves her side behind Australia on goal difference in their group.
The Norwegians, among the favorites to win the fifth World Cup, fell behind after 33 minutes when Christine Sinclair launched a devastating attack.
She crashed through two defenders before laying off a superb ball to teammate Candace Chapman, who unleashed a bullet that hit the roof of the net.
After that, however, Canada was back-pedalling.
Norway found the target in the 52nd minute when Ragnhild Gulbrandsen rose to meet a cross.
That inspired the Norwegians, and Horpestad pounced on a loose ball to steer it home and gift them victory.
Daniela Alves, Cristiane, Marta and Renata Costa all found the back of the net for Brazil who outgunned an inexperienced New Zealand.
The Brazilians put on a virtuoso show and the score could have been much higher, serving a warning to group rivals China and Denmark.
Midfielder Daniela, 23, got things going in the 10th minute with a devastating strike from 30 meters.
Cristiane made it 2-0 in the 54th minute, slotting the ball into the right-hand corner.
Daniela, who made her international debut at the tender age of 15, then flicked the ball to 2006 player of the year Marta who weaved up the left before smashing a drive into the net.
Marta added another in the dying minutes to bring her international goal tally to an astonishing 42 in 40 games.
"All of our goals today were magnificent; we had not only long shots, but good movement. All of our players played very well," Brazil coach Jorge Barcelos said.
While Australia is not seen as a title contender, the team created its own slice of history by scoring its first World Cup win in 10 attempts, ending a 12-year drought with an emphatic win against Ghana in Hangzhou.
Striker Sarah Walsh opened the Aussies' account after 15 minutes.
After the break superior pace and fitness paid off with two goals from substitute Lisa De Vanna (57 and 81) and another from Heather Garriock.
Ghana's exciting young striker Anita Amankwa fired one back for the Black Queens.
"I was just delighted with the result and the performance," said Australia's Scottish-born coach Tom Sermanni. "It certainly eased the pressure on the team and the coach. I think it will boost our confidence."
Source: China Daily/Agencies
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