After a dream start with a 2-0 win over Olympic champion the United States, Norway is now to shift its focus on Saturday's match against New Zealand in the Olympic women's soccer tournament.
The quickest ever two goals in less than four minutes put the Vikings on top of the Group G standings after their first match.
If it continues to crack the rest of the group opponents, New Zealand and Japan, it will meet the third-placed contender from either Group E or Group F -- possibly, Canada or DPR Korea.
Norway started strong and aggressive in the match against the U.S. The attacking trio, Solveig Gulbrandsen, Melissa Wiik and Leni Larsen Kaurin created many opportunities in front of American's goalmouth, and took the outcomes at the very beginning.
Asked about their plans against New Zealand, Norway's head coach Bjarne Berntsen, however, declined to reveal anything. "We have an observation team watching New Zealand and Japan tomorrow, and on Friday we will decide what our strategy will be," he said in a press conference after beating the U.S.
New Zealand, though perceived as an underdog before the tournament, presented its quality with a strong debut on the Olympic stage in its opener against Japan.
It is the same team with the same players in the 2007 Women's World Cup, which conceded nine goals but scored none, but it is a team with "a different spirit and belief," said head coach John Herdman.
It almost stunned Japan in their first group match, but saw the scoreboard leveled 2-2 in the last fifth minute.
The result should be disappointing to the Kiwis, and now it has to face much stronger Norway.
"We must be very aware of the U.S.A. and Norway, as they are very, very good teams," Herdman said.
(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)