Football: US, Sweden record wins

DRESDEN: Two-time world champions US lived up to their status as women’s World Cup favourites as they beat North Korea 2-0 in their Group C opener. Lauren Cheney opened the scoring for the Americans in the 54th minute and Rachel Buehler doubled the lead in the 76th minute for Pia Sundhage’s team. The Americans top Group C with three points along with Sweden who beat Colombia 1-0. A second-half goal from Jessica Landstrom got the Swedes on the points table. The 57th-minute goal came after a string of near misses from the bungling Swedish frontline but it was enough to secure all three points in their first meeting against the South Americans.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2011.