WUHAN - Norway sent hosts China packing and Brazil did the same to Australia as they clinched their places in the women's World Cup semifinals on Sunday.
WUHAN - Norway sent hosts China packing and Brazil did the same to Australia as they clinched their places in the women's World Cup semifinals on Sunday.
A defensive howler put paid to Chinese dreams as they lost 1-0 to traditional powerhouse and former champions Norway in Wuhan, while the Brazilians ended the Australian fairytale 3-2 in Tianjin.
Norway now travel to northeastern Tianjin to play defending champions Germany tomorrow while Brazil make the trip to eastern Hangzhou to face off against the top ranked United States on Thursday.
China had only themselves to blame for not upsetting Norway, who won the tournament in 1995.
They had most of the first-half possession only to see their hard work go to waste when Wang Kun's hesi- tation in the 32nd minute let Isabell Herlovsen collect the ball in the box and fire it into the roof of the net.
"The game was very tight and we managed to score because they made a mistake," said Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen.
"Sometimes tight games like this are decided on mistakes like that."
In a pulsating encounter in Tianjin, Brazil ended Asian interest in the tournament but needed some magic to subdue Australia a game. - Sapa-AFP
Brazil and Norway in semifinals
WUHAN - Norway sent hosts China packing and Brazil did the same to Australia as they clinched their places in the women's World Cup semifinals on Sunday.
WUHAN - Norway sent hosts China packing and Brazil did the same to Australia as they clinched their places in the women's World Cup semifinals on Sunday.
A defensive howler put paid to Chinese dreams as they lost 1-0 to traditional powerhouse and former champions Norway in Wuhan, while the Brazilians ended the Australian fairytale 3-2 in Tianjin.
Norway now travel to northeastern Tianjin to play defending champions Germany tomorrow while Brazil make the trip to eastern Hangzhou to face off against the top ranked United States on Thursday.
China had only themselves to blame for not upsetting Norway, who won the tournament in 1995.
They had most of the first-half possession only to see their hard work go to waste when Wang Kun's hesi- tation in the 32nd minute let Isabell Herlovsen collect the ball in the box and fire it into the roof of the net.
"The game was very tight and we managed to score because they made a mistake," said Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen.
"Sometimes tight games like this are decided on mistakes like that."
In a pulsating encounter in Tianjin, Brazil ended Asian interest in the tournament but needed some magic to subdue Australia a game. - Sapa-AFP
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