Womens 2007 World Cup; match 6

Group C, 12/9/07 in Hangzhou.

Canada v. Norway

Canada: E.McLeod, K.Kiss, M.Franco, T.Dennis, R.Hermus, M.Tancredi (R.Wilkinson 45), D.Matheson, S.Schmidt, K.Lang (J-A.Robinson 83), C-M.Chapman (A.Walsh 73), C.Sinclair.

Norway: B.Nordby, T.Ronning, S.Nordby (C.Huse 45), A.Stengeland, G.Folstad, L.Storlokken (M.Knutsen 76), I.Stensland, S.Gulbrandsen, L.Larsen-Kaurin, R.Gulbrandsen, M.Wiik (L.Mykjaland 66).

The two favourites in Group C went head to head in their opening fixture and a strong, confident Norway side made most of the early running.

Melissa Wiik had a good chance when a long ball down the middle was flicked on over the last defender but, slightly to the left of goal, Wiik shot well over the bar.

Candace-Marie Chapman was causing problems at the other end with her direct running and won a free kick when one burst was ended crudely. Kristina Kiss lofted the free kick deep into the penalty area and after challenging the keeper Melissa Tancredi banged home the loose ball from close range.

Not surprisingly the whistle went for a foul on Bente Nordby and there could be few arguments about the decision, however.

Canada's direct approach was offering them hope against the more measured build up of the Norwegians as both Chapman and Christine Sinclair chased willingly up front.

Just after the half hour this tactic brought Canada the lead. Another long ball dropped into the Norway penalty area where Sinclair tried to force her way past a cluster of defenders.

Sinclair's charge was just about stopped but the ball ran loose to Chapman who whipped a fine left footer straight into the top corner to give Nordby no chance.

The game now swung from end to end up to half time with the impressive Norwegian midfielder Ingvild Stensland forcing a flying tip over out of Erin McLeod from distance while Sinclair headed just wide for Canada following a fine right wing cross.

The second half saw Norway strengthen their grip on the game and they were quickly level.

Gunhild Folstad was allowed to canter down the right wing and her centre picked out Ranghild Gulbrandsen outjumping two markers at the near post to glance home the equaliser.

Norway's pressure increased as they went in search of a winner and Canada were forced into some pretty desperate defending. Gulbrandsen thought she had scored again when the ball fell to her inside the box after a spell of pinball but Erin McLeod flung herself full length to keep out the effort.

McLeod then made another good save to deny Gulbrandsen's header but as the ball ran loose the Norwegian striker looked a certain scorer. From a narrow angle she could only hit the side netting, however, and Canada breathed again.

McLeod made another fine save to deny the substitute Lena Mykjaland after she had skipped through a couple of challenges and sent in a good shot and it began to look as though Canada's goalkeeper had done enough to earn her side a point.

The Canadian defence had struggled dealing with high balls all night though and with time running out Norway profited from that weakness.

Ragnhild Gulbrandsen got in a strong header from a right wing corner and although Diana Matheson blocked on the line the ball sat up for Ane Stengeland to force home from close range.

Defeat was tough on Canada after such a valiant effort but overall Norway had certainly done enough to win and look capable of making it to the last four on this showing.

Full Time: Canada 1 Norway 2