September 24, 2007	Monday	Ramazan 11, 1428

WUHAN (China), Sept 23: Norway sent hosts China packing and Brazil did the same to Australia as they clinched their places in the women’s World Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

A defensive howler put paid to Chinese dreams as they lost 1-0 to traditional powerhouse and former champions Norway in Wuhan, while the Brazilians ended the Australian fairytale 3-2 in Tianjin.

Norway now travel to Tianjin to play defending champions Germany on Wednesday while Brazil make the trip to eastern Hangzhou to face off against the top ranked US on Thursday.

China had only themselves to blame for not upsetting Norway, who won the tournament in 1995.

They had most of the first-half possession only to see their hard work go to waste when Wang Kun’s hesitation in the 32nd minute let Isabell Herlovsen collect the ball in the box and fire it into the roof of the net.

China had plenty of chances to level but once again strikers Ma Xiaoxu and Han Duan failed to deliver, squandering what came their way as the renaissance under Swedish coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors ground to a halt.

In a pulsating encounter in Tianjin, Brazil ended Asian interest in the tournament but needed some magic to subdue Australia.

The Samba Girls were 2-0 up in 23 minutes but were pegged back by Lisa de Vanna and Lauren Colthorpe before Cristiane settled the tie with a classy strike on 76 minutes.

The Matildas, ranked 15th to Brazil’s seventh, were always going to be up against it and their task looked mountainous in the fourth minute when Formiga curled a shot in off the bar.

With Australia struggling to settle, things went from bad to worse when Kate McShea dragged down Renata Costa in the box and Marta converted the penalty for her fifth goal of the tournament.—AFP