United States and China finish level
Olympic News Service

MELBOURNE - Goalkeeper Gao Hong and captain Sun Wen were the heroes
as the People's Republic of China secured a deserved 1-1 draw in its Group F
match against the United States at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Gao saved a 73rd minute penalty from US striker Kristine Lilly after Swiss referee Nicole Petignat ruled that defender Fan Yunjie had handled. She
then parried the rebound from substitute Cindy Parlow.

Earlier Chinese captain Sun Wen scored with a brilliant freekick in the 66th minute to cancel out Julie Foudy's goal seven minutes before halftime.

In a spirited match, China was unlucky not to claim victory over an uninspired
United States, being more incisive in attack than the world champion for much
of the game.

Despite enjoying lengthy periods of possession in the first half, China failed to
trouble US keeper Siri Mullinix unduly, and in the 38th minute the Americans
made them pay.

A corner by Shannon Macmillan eluded Gao and US captain Foudy headed into the net at the far post. It was rough justice for the Chinese.

China made it 1-1 midway through the second half. Sun Wen, equal top scorer at the 1999 World Cup finals, took a freekick from 20 metres out. Mullinix got her fingertips to it but could only deflect it onto the crossbar, and it dropped
tantalisingly over the line.

In the other game in Group F, Norway beat Nigeria 3-1.

China now tops the group on goal difference over the United States with 4 points each. Norway is third with 3 points while Nigeria has yet to pick up a point.

In the final games of the preliminary round on Tuesday, the United States
plays Nigeria and Norway plays China. The top two teams in the group will
qualify for the semifinals.