SPORTS EDGE

Sports
Beijing 2008
Brazil, Germany win
Afp, Beijing
Natasha Kai (R) of the US scores the all-important goal against Japan during the Beijing Olympic Games women's first round match at the Qinghuangdao Olympic Stadium on Saturday. Photo: AFPFavourites Brazil and Germany got their Olympic women's football campaigns back on track with second round wins here Saturday while Norway ensured themselves a place in the quarterfinals.Hosts China were held to a 1-1 draw by Olympic newcomers Canada and they remain locked together at the top of Group E.Brazil and world champions Germany, who had fought out an uninspiring scoreless opening match in Group F, recorded their first wins in their second pool matches but in contrasting fashion.With world player of the year Marta and her strike partner Cristiane in imposing form, Brazil produced an emphatic performance in beating North Korea 2-1 in Shenyang.Their fast-paced approach had North Korea scrambling to patch up holes in their defence and their two goals by Daniela and Marta came in the space of eight minutes, both following errors by under-pressure goalkeeper Jon Myong-Hui.The Koreans looked more determined and settled after the interval, as the South Americans appeared to ease off, and were rewarded with a late goal by captain Ri Kum-suk.The result puts Brazil and German on four points in Group F, with Brazil ahead on goals after the Germans beat Nigeria 1-0 thanks to a face-saving goal by Kirsten Stegemann.It was a crucial win for Germany, and should ensure they qualify for the knockout rounds, but it was a performance riddled with wayward passes and lack of cohesion.In Group G, being played in Qinhuangdao, Norway overcame stiff resistance to beat New Zealand 1-0 to have a firm grip on Group G and be the only team in the tournament with two wins from two matches.Defending Olympic champions the United States, who lost to Norway first up, recorded their win with a well-deserved 1-0 victory over Japan.China and Canada share the lead in Group E with their 1-1 outcome decided in a frantic burst just before halftime.Canadian captain Christine Sinclair scored first when Kara Lang chested the ball down and lobbed it into her path, leaving the Vancouver Whitecap 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. A lunging Randee Hermus hooked the ball off the line but it was adjudged to be a goal.Sweden are third in this group, a point behind China and Canada after beating Argentina 1-0 for their first win at the Games.
One of several CNG filling stations between Kanchpur Bridge and Jatrabari of the capital which BNP big shots built on the Kutubkhali canal, drastically reducing Dhaka's drainage capability. PHOTO: STAR
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