In a match between the reigning Olympic titlists and the former Olympic champions, Norway edged the United States 1-0 in the kick-off match of the four-nation women's soccer tournament Wednesday in Guangzhou.

　　With only ten minutessintosplay, Norway's midfielder Unni Lehn tapped in the sole goal when she latched onto a pass from teammate Dagny Mellgren.

　　The United States, who are apparently more skillful, fought back fiercely for the equaliser, but all their efforts resulted in nothing. Their best scoring chance came in the 31st minute when midfielder Julie Foudy's long shot was denied by the crossbar.

　　Head coach of the United States, April Heinrichs, whose team lost to Norway in the final in the Sydney Olympics competition, could hardly conceal her disappointment after the match. "We had 38 headballs to Norway's six. We lost 1-0. We had 18 shots to Norway's two. We scored none and they scored one. We lost 1-0. Statistically we are very disappointed," she said.

　　She said the win will put Norway well in a position to win the tournament which hosts China and Germany also take part in. "We are rather disappointed that we are not in that position," she added.

　　Norway's head coach Age Steen held that their long-ball tactics belies their win. "The United States is a very dangerous and fast team. So when we get the ball, we must attack quickly with some long balls," he said.

　　In the other match, China, with noticeable abscence of Sun Wen,Liu Ailing, Wen Lirong and Gao Hong, beat Germany 2-1 to the joy of home fans. Two minutes before interval, midfielder Zhang Ouying burstsintosan unmarked postion and swept a Zhao Lihong's pinpoint pass past Germany's goalkeeper Nadine Angerer. Striker Pu Wei, who squandered several scoring chances in the first half, made it 2-0 in the 85th mintue. One minutes later, Ariane Hingst pulled one goal back for Germany.

　　China's right defender Zhou Xiaoxia was red-carded for her dangerous tackle on Germany's striker Birgit Prinz in the 35th minute.