Typhoon Wipha, potentially the strongest to hit east China in a decade, has forced the rescheduling of two women's World Cup matches.

The storm is expected to make landfall early today, bringing with it driving rain and gusting winds.

FIFA, the world governing body of soccer, yesterday moved today's match in Shanghai - Norway vs Ghana in Group C - to Hangzhou.

The game will be played tomorrow.

FIFA also moved a Group D match between Brazil and Denmark to Thursday. The game will be played as scheduled in Hangzhou.

Germany and England became the first two teams to reach the quarterfinals on Monday. Germany beat Japan 2-0 and England thrashed Argentina 6-1.

All four quarterfinals are to be played on Saturday and Sunday with the final on September 30 in Shanghai.

(Shanghai Daily via Agencies September 19, 2007)