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German Birgit Prinz (R) celebrates her second goal against China during their
women's preliminary football match of the 2004
Olympics. (Agencies) |
World champions Germany thrashed China 8-0 to open their campaign
for Olympic women's football gold in
devastating fashion as the United States trounced hosts Greece 3-0.
Inspired by a four-goal performance from women's international
footballer of the year Birgit Prinz, Germany showed they have the class to add the Olympic title to
their world title won last year.
It was a stunning defeat for China, 1996 silver medallists and once one
of the strongest women's teams in the world but currently struggling to
rebuild their squad after the retirement of legendary star Sun Wen.
German goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg summed up her team-mates surprise at
China's extraordinary second-half collapse, when they shipped six goals in
the Group F match at Patras.
"It's an amazing result," Rottenberg said. "In the second half I was
waiting for something better from China but they felt down. The final
score is a big encouragement for us."
Earlier Prinz fired Germany into the lead with a header on 13 minutes after a
marvelous cross to the far
post by veteran right-back Kerstin Stegemann, playing in her
third Olympics.
The Germans second goal was almost a carbon-copy. Again Stegemann found room down
the right wing and curled in another teasing cross. This time Prinz met
the centre with a spectacular low diving
header that gave Xiao Zhen no chance.
Wunderlich made the game safe with a shot from the edge of the area on
65 minutes to shatter the feeble Chinese resistance.
 Prinz completed her hat-trick to make it 4-0 as the floodgates
opened. Renate Lingor made it five from the penalty spot before Conny
Pohlers, Prinz with her fourth and Martina Mueller completed the rout.
In Heraklion, the United States didn't score as many but were no less
convincing in their victory over the Greeks. The United States dominated
throughout, spending the entirety of the first half camped in Greek
territory with the hosts struggling to gain possession.
In other matches Wednesday, Japan flew the flag for Asia after China's
miserable capitulation with a 1-0 win over Sweden.
Eriko Arakawa's 22nd minute strike settled the encounter in Volos, the
Japanese forward netting on 22 minutes after a blunder by Sweden keeper
Caroline Joensson.
A solitary goal also handed Brazil a 1-0 victory over Australia,
attacker Marta rifling home on 35 minutes to give the South Americans an
opening win over the Matildas in Salonika.
The Olympic football tournament got underway two days ahead of Friday's opening ceremony
in Athens.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-08-12 09:42