The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 114

i ityrt7.M,Tl,y-r--i.iy-ra- I y.y Tf Vflf tlTf If P8 MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1999 NA LOS ANGELES TIMES Ghana's Sulemana Ties Up Australia GROUP A GROUP I GF GA Pts Norway 1 0 0 2 1 3 Canada 0 0 1111 Japan 0 0 1111 Russia 0 10 12 0 GF GA Pts United Slates 1 0 0 3 0 3 Nigeria 0 0 0 0 0 0 North Korea 0 0 0 0 0 0 Denmark 0 1 0 0 3 0 behind on Joanne Peters. Australia should have taken charge of the game after that but failed to take advantage. "Of course we're disappointed," Australia Coach Greg Brown said. "When you play against a team with 10 players, they still have the same amount of defenders but as long as you keep to your game plan, you should get a result. "I felt that we created enough chances to win three games." Instead, neither team won, a result that will please China, which now has a clear lead in the group after beating Sweden on Saturday.

"We fought until the last minute," Ghana Coach Emmanuel Kwame Afranie said. And no one more so than Sulemana, who no longer has to fight to play the game. Her mom would be proud. Saturday at East Rutherford, J. United States 3, Denmark 0 Sunday at Rose Bowl North Korea vs.

Nigeria, 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Chicago Nigeria at United States, 5:30 p.m. At Portland, Ore. North Korea vs. Denmark, 8:30 p.m.

June 27 at Landover, Md. Nigeria vs. Denmark, 10:30 a.m. At Foxboro, Mass. North Korea vs.

United States, 4 p.m. Saturday at San Jose Canada 1, Japan 1 Sunday at Foxboro, Mass. Norway 2, Russia 1 Wednesday at Landover, Md. Norway vs. Canada, 3 p.m.

At Portland, Ore. Japan vs. Russia, 8:30 p.m. Saturday at East Rutherford, J. Canada vs.

Russia, 9 a.m. At Chicago Norway vs. Japan, 4:30 p.m. GROUP GF GA Pts Brazil 1 0 0 7 1 3 Germany 0 0 1111 Italy 0 0 1111 Mexico 0 10 1 7 0 GROUP GF GA Pts China 1 0 0 2 1 3 Australia 0 0 1111 Ghana 0 0 1111 Sweden 0 10 12 0 escape took her across the Atlantic, to the third FIFA Women's World Cup, where she played well enough Sunday afternoon to help Ghana earn a 1-1 tie against Australia in front of 14,873 at Foxboro Stadium. And what does mom think about that? "She hopes I will bring money home," Sulemana, 21, said with a grin.

It won't be the World Cup, that's for sure. Neither the second-best team from Africa nor the best team from Oceania produced the kind of soccer to suggest that they can make an impact in the tournament. The Australians, who held a one-woman advantage for more than an hour, couldn't finish the numerous chances they created. The Ghanaians, forced to defend for much of the game, lacked cohesion on offense. SNS i- i v.

vjf 1 Saturday at East Rutherford, J. Brazil 7, Mexico 1 Sunday at Rose Bowl Germany 1, Italy 1 Thursday at Chicago Brazil vs. Italy, 3 p.m. At Portland, Ore. Germany vs.

Mexico, 6 p.m. June 27 at Landover, Md. Germany vs. Brazil, 1 p.m. At Foxboro, Mass.

Mexico vs. Italy, 1:30 p.m. tv." i Zmb 1 1 iin iLilir? QUARTERFINALS June 30 Quarterfinal 1 At San Jose Group winner vs. Group second, 5 p.m. Quarterfinal 2 At San Jose Group winner vs.

Group second, 7:30 p.m. July 1 Quarterfinal 3 At Landover, Md. Group A winner vs. Group second, 4 p.m. Quarterfinal 4 At Landover, Md.

Group winner vs. Group A second, 6:30 p.m. 1 i MS Hamm Makes an Aggressive Start Soccer: Goalkeeper plays well but neither team looks like it will make an impact in Women's World Cup. By GRAHAMEL. JONES TIMES STAFF WRITER FOXBORO, she was growing up in Ghana, Memuna-tu Sulemana wasn't allowed to play soccer.

"My mother didn't like me to play football," Sulemana said. "She said it was a man's game. So whenever she told me to go buy something for her at the store, then I ran away and played football." The young goalkeeper's latest Russia's Irina Grigorieva tries SOCCER Continued from Page 1 that far ahead. "We can't beat the United States now," he said, "because we meet Canada next, Wednesday in Landover, Meanwhile, he is taking comfort in the fact that Norway dominated a solid Russian team that scored one of the best goals of the tournament. "I'm very pleased with our attacking play," Hogmo said.

"We created 19 good scoring chances after some good attacking play and good individual skills. It was more exciting than I like because I thought we could be a little bit better in our defensive play. Our back four were a little bit shaky today." Norway took the lead in the 28th minute when Marianne Pettersen ITALY GERMANY 1 Tie Fits and From Associated Press There was no winner, and neither coach seemed to mind much. Germany, a finalist in the last Women's World Cup, salvaged a 1-1 tie with Italy in the European teams' opening game Sunday. "Obviously, we went into this match wanting to win, but I can live with one point," said coach Tina Theune-Meyer, whose German squad is top-seeded in its group.

Bettina Wiegmann, one of Germany's best players throughout the 1990s, scored on a penalty kick in the 61st minute to tie it. "The first half, we gave them too much space. In the second half, we got into the game more. We won the ball more, moved forward more positively. So at the end of the day, one point is not unreasonable," Theune-Meyer said through an The first goal didn't come until the 75th minute, when Australian forward Julie Murray sprinted past three defenders before beating Sulemana from close range.

Ghana took less than two minutes to respond. Its best player, striker Vivian Mensah, forced Australian goalkeeper Tracey Wheeler into a full stretch to bat away a shot from the left, and Nana Gyamfua was on hand on the right to knock the rebound into the empty net in the 76th minute. The Africans almost stole the game in the 90th minute when Elizabeth Baidu slammed a shot off the crossbar, but the ball re-. bounded safely away to the Australians' immense relief. Referee Kari Seitz of San Francisco red-carded Ghana midfielder Barikisu Tettey-Quao in the 24th minute because of a tackle from ar iff 'iff I 1 Reuters Norway's opening win.

from 20 yards. Despite scoring only a one-goal victory, Hogmo was relaxed. "I don't think the match was close," he said. "We were a lot better than Russia, but the Russian team is hard to beat. We have seen that before, so we knew this was going to be a very tough match." The next one will be a lot easier.

"Norway is a very experienced team," said Russia Coach Yurii Bystritzkii. "It has been in the World Cup three times. What surprised us was the tempo of the game, the speed of play and Norway's set plays." Sunday's count at Foxboro brought total attendance for the tournament to 117,143 even before the evening doubleheader at the Rose Bowl and surpassed the total attendance of 112,000 at the Sweden '95 championship. fender Roberta Stefanelli tackled Birgit Prinz hard in the box, missing the ball. Referee Elizabeth Abidoye of Nigeria whistled Stefanelli for the foul.

Wiegmann, a 28-year-old midfielder who was Germany's leading scorer in the 1995 World Cup and 1996 Olympics, beat goalkeeper Gioriga Brenzan on a curling penalty kick just inside the right post. A foul also led to Italy's goal, by Patrizia Panico in the 36th minute. Panico, dribbling outside the box on the left, was fouled by Doris Fitschen, and the ball was spotted 3 yards outside the penalty area. Anna Duo rolled the ball to Antonella Carter, and the 32-year-old midfielder lifted a perfect cross to the far post. Panico, charging toward the goal with no defender on her, headed the ball just inside the near post to beat goalie Silke Rottenberg.

3 IS til I tf FBI Talks to Three Members of IOC Olympics: A fourth interview is planned in inquiry in which more questioning is likely regarding Salt Lake City. By ALAN ABRAHAMSON TIMES STAFF WRITER SEOUL The International Olympic Committee warned its members Sunday they may face FBI questioning and perhaps even subpoenas in connection with the Salt Lake City corruption scandal. IOC Director General Francois Carrard also said that three IOC members were interviewed last month by the FBI, which is inquiring into the possibility of criminal wrongdoing stemming from Salt Lake's winning bid for the 2002 Games. A fourth IOC member is due to be interviewed in the coming weeks. Carrard declined to identify any of the four.

President Juan Antonio Samaranch, asked at a news conference Sunday whether he was worried about being questioned by the FBI, answered: "No. If I am interviewed, there will be an interview. It is no problem for me." As it closed up shop after a weeklong session, the IOC also condemned the "excessive reaction" in Switzerland to Sion's defeat Saturday in the vote for the 2006 Winter Games. According to police, vandals sprayed "Mafia" on the statue, with a letter written in each of the five Olympic rings on the sculpture; underneath was inscribed "Torino 2006." "The IOC understands the disappointment of the people of Sion and Switzerland," the statement issued Sunday said. "However, it points out that the IOC chose freely and democratically between the two finalists, both of whose bids were excellent.

"The IOC regrets the excessive reactions of certain people but is sure the traditional Swiss sense of calm will soon prevail once more." Just in case, IOC sources said, the institution is almost certain to deploy extra security this week at its offices. In a related development, Samaranch told delegates that the site for the next IOC session in December is still undecided. The meeting had been scheduled for Lausanne. Samaranch's comments hinted that the IOC, concerned about possible protests, may move the session to another country. In the meantime, IOC officials said that they intend to cooperate fully with the FBI.

"We will respect 'the FBI," Samaranch said Sunday. "We will respect the Justice Department in the United States. The only thing I said is we want this problem to be finished as soon as possible." Carrard said the IOC would provide its members with a one-page document outlining their legal rights and explaining how to contact the IOC's attorneys in the United States. (The membership roll grew to 104 Sunday with the addition of world soccer chief Joseph "Sepp" Blatter.) In addition to those already questioned, more interviews are likely, Carrard said. The FBI has given the IOC no indication of a timetable for the conclusion of its investigation, several IOC sources said Sunday.

And, Carrard said, so far the FBI questioning has been carried out "in a respectful and djscreet way." Saturday at San Jose China 2, Sweden 1 Sunday at Foxboro, Mass. Ghana 1, Australia 1 Wednesday at Landover, Md. Australia vs. Sweden, 5:30 p.m. At Portland, Ore.

China vs. Ghana, 6 p.m. Saturday at East Rutherford, J. China vs. Australia, 11:30 a.m.

At Chicago Ghana vs. Sweden, 2 p.m. SEMIFINALS July 4 At Palo Alto Quarterfinal 3 winner vs. quarterfinal 4 winner, 1:30 p.m. At Foxboro, Mass.

Quarterfinal 1 winner vs. quarterfinal 2 winner, 4:30 p.m. THIRD PLACE July 10 At Rose Bowl Semifinal losers, 10:30 a.m. CHAMPIONSHIP July 10 Semifinal winners, 1 p.m. relaxed us all.

It was like, 'OK, we can do Hamm certainly can do this, but the sport's career goal-scoring leader has not been an overwhelming force in the biggest events. She scored only once as the Americans won the 1996 Olympic gold medal. She wasn't dominant in the '95 World Cup, when the United States, as de-, fending champion, finished third. But she's off to a superb start this time as the Americans head into their second game, against Nigeria on Thursday in Chicago. "In a tournament like this, you want to start off on the right foot," Hamm said.

"Playing here in the U.S., with all the emotion, I can't tell you how proud we are. But this is just the beginning of what we want to accomplish." Hamm's teammates anticipate she will perform well under any circumstance. They do warn outsiders, however, not to predict too much for her or any single player. "Expecting her to score three goals a game is not realistic," Chastain said. "Expecting her to score a goal a game is realistic because she's that good.

The only pressure Mia feels is to be the best player she can be. Mia knows if the team is a success, it's because she's part of it." A big part of it. Denmark could not handle her and other teams will need to devise specific defenses to slow her. That, of course, creates space and opportunities for the other accomplished scorers on the U.S. squad.

"It was just a very, very proud moment for us and for our sport," she said of the opener, before 78,972, the largest crowd for a sports event at Giants Stadium "We still have a long way to go to win the Cup, and it's not going to be easy, but what a great first day." Shots-Norway 28, Russia 6. Shots on Goal-Norway 15, Russia 2. Foult-Nomay 7, Russia 3. Goalies-Norway, Nordby; Russia, Petko. Reloree-Zuo.

China. Unesmen-Peron-Labbe, France; Lu, China; Ogston, Australia. Ghana Australia 1-1 1-1 Flitt half-No scoring. Second halt 1. Australia, Murray 1, 74th minute.

2, Ghana, Gyamfua 1, 76th. Yellow Cards Australia 2, Ghana 4. Red Card-Ghana 1. Shots-Australia 26. Ghana 13.

Shots on Goal-Australia 13, Ghana 11. Fouls-Australia 1 1. Ghana 13. Goalies-Ghana, Sulemana; Australia, Wheeler. Referee-Sertz, United States.

Unesmen-Kleven, Norway; Ri, Korea; Gaye, SEN. Attendance-NA. to slow down Hege Riise during headed the ball into the path of Brit Sandaune, who fired it past Russian goalkeeper Svetlana Petko from close range. The Norwegians doubled their advantage in the 68th minute when Pettersen pounced on a mistake by Russian defender Natalia Karasse-va, whose attempted clearance header fell directly at Petersen's feet. Pettersen buried the ball in the back of the net.

That should have been it, but Norway missed two other fine opportunities, Alexandra Svetlitzkaia and Tatiana Tcheverda both desperately scrambling to clear shots off the Russian goal line. Russia's goal came in the 78th minute when substitute Larissa Savina chased the ball to the end line, cut it back to Natalia Barba-china in front of the net and Barbachina, rather than taking a shot, wisely played it out for Galina Komarova to rocket into the net From Associated Press U.S. Coach Tony DiClcco says he wants "personality players." In Mia Hamm, he has the most personable of all. "I think a personality player is like what Mia was today," DiCicco said after Hamm scored 17 minutes in the United States' 3-0 victory over Denmark in the World Cup opener Saturday. "She wanted the responsibility.

She wanted the bail. She wanted the responsibility of feeding the players in the best area for a shot, or taking the shot herself. "That's the quality of player and person Mia is. As a coach, you can't measure how important it is for your star player to be such a leader and a character person." While most of her teammates appeared nervous before the largest crowd to see a women's sporting event in the United States, Hamm was dominant. On her second touch of the game, she accepted a long pass from Brandl Chastain with her right foot.

Immediately, Hamm tapped the ball around defender Katrine Pedersen and onto her left foot for a blast into the top of the net. It was the kind of play special players make. In the second half, after several of her setups were botched by teammates, she sped down right wing and sent a floating pass that Julie Foudy put in. "Up until the first goal, we really weren't playing our game," said Cindy Parlow, one of the main culprits in not converting her opportunities on Saturday. "We were playing a lot of defense, and they were getting in threatening position.

And then we get one chance, and Mia puts it away. That's a veteran player for you. "She settled everyone down. She scored the important goal. I think that did a lot for us.

It Germany 0 1-1 Italy 10-1 First half 1, Italy, Panico 1 (Carta), 36th minute. Second half 2, Germany, Wiegmann 1 (penalty kick), 61st Yellow Card-Italy 1. Shots-Germany 23, Italy 10. Shots on Goal-Germany 14, Italy 6. Fouls-Germany 16, Italy 19.

Goallest-Germany, Rottenberg; Italy, Brenzan. Referee-Abidoye, Nigeria. Unesmen-Adeyemi, Nigeria; Saez Blanquice, Panama: Im, Korea. Attendanc-NA. Russia Norway 0 1-1 .1 1-2 First half 1, Norway, Sandaune 1 (Pettersen), 28th minute.

Second half 2, Norway, Pettersen 1 (Sandaune), 68th. 3, Russia, Komarova 1 (Barbachina), 78th. They'll Gladly Wear It Italy coach Carlo Facchin agreed the Germans were more in control of the game in the second half. "In the first half, we managed to offset them rather well. When we had the ball, we had full freedom to express our capabilities," he said, also speaking through an interpreter.

"In the second half, we demonstrated certain limits in our game. We appeared to have some doubts." He added, however, "I'm very satisfied with the end result." The game was played before a relatively quiet crowd of some 18,000 about one-fifth the capacity of the cavernous Rose Bowl. Germany, beaten by Norway in the 1995 world championship game, fell behind in the first half. Then it barely missed on several good scoring opportunities early in the second, including a shot by Maren Meinert that hit the crossbar. But shortly later, Italian de-,.