Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 78

6c TIMES SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 1999 SOCCER esd, dejected I 1 a. I- J. Ml AxociaUd Pnu jf 1 with the preparation we had. We proba-, bly played 10 international games. The U.S.

played 110." SWEDEN 2, GHANA 0: Victoria Svens-, son scored twice in the second half and Sweden earned a spot in the quarterfinals with a win in Chicago. Svensson scored on a header in the 58th minute, taking Malin Mostrom's crossing pass from the right corner and beating goalkeeper Memunatu Sule-mana to put Sweden ahead 1-0. The score came with Ghana one player down as defender Patience Sack-ey nursed an injury on the far sideline. Ghana, in its first World Cup, just missed tying the score in the 86th minute. As Swedish goalie Ulrika Karlsson tried to clear after a pass back from teammate Asa Lonnqvist a sliding Elizabeth Baidu of Ghana blocked her kick and the ball deflected off the cross bar.

With the Black Queens stunned by their near-miss, Svensson raced to the other end, took a pass from Malin Gus-tafsson and scored again seconds later to make it 2-0. NORWAY 4, JAPAN 0: Norway lost captain Linda Medalen to a broken nose early in the match but the defending champion scored three first-half goals to stay unbeaten through three games. To celebrate the victory, Norway's players raced around the soggy turf and did belly flops and bowed for the fans remaining in rainy Soldier Field. Attendance for the doubleheader was 34,256, the largest for a game not involving the United States. The seven other spots in the eight-team field will go to the four winning quarterfinalists and the three teams that lose by the lowest margin.

Sun, whose five goals ties Sissi of Brazil for the scoring lead in the tournament, gave China the lead in the 39th minute with a header right in front of goalkeeper Belinda Kitching, who was outstanding in defeat Zhao Lihong set up the tally with a no-look crossing pass from the left corner. Six minutes into the second half, Sun made it 2-0 with a blast from in close. Zhao also started that play with a cross from the left side that went a little too far. Pu Wei got the ball near the goal line and sent it back in front to Sun for a shot against a defenseless Kitching. Australia ended a 253-minute shutout streak by China goalkeeper Gao Hong when Salisbury scored.

A crowd of 29,401 attended the Giants Stadium doubleheader. RUSSIA 4, CANADA 1: If there is a team to fear in the second half, it's Russia. Nine of Russia's 10 opening-round goals have come after the break, with a four-goal second half against Canada leading Russia to the quarterfinals. Irina Grigorieva snapped a scoreless tie and set up the first of two goals by second-half substitute Elena Fomina as Russia (2-1) won its second straight. The loss eliminated Canada.

"I hope we didn't take 10 steps back," Charmaine Hooper said. "We have to keep playing and not take three years off. We did as well as we could EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. Stopping China in the Women's World Cup with 11 players was going to be a formidable task for Australia. Losing one player to a red card just two minutes into the match made it nearly impossible.

Sun Wen scored twice to move into a tie for the goal-scoring lead and China completed a perfect first round with a 3-1 victory over shorthanded Australia on Saturday. Australia (0-2-1) was at a disadvantage almost the entire game as forward Alicia Ferguson received a somewhat questionable red card from United States referee Sandra Hunt for a late sliding tackle. "It's the first time I've ever seen a player sent off in the first minutes at any level," Australia coach Greg Brown said. "I didn't even see the play. I was still tying my boots." FIFA, the governing body for the tournament, would not make Hunt available to explain the call after the game.

Ferguson declined to be interviewed, spokesman Richard Finn said. "I really didn't see the foul," said Australia captain Julie Murray, who set up Cheryl Salisbury's goal. "I guess it was a little hard and a little late but the penalty was very harsh. I was disappointed for Alicia." The, elimination of Australia means one of the eight quarterfinalists will not get an invitation to the 2000 Olympics. As the host for the Summer Games, Australia automatically gets a spot AP Russia's Elena Fomnia races off to celebrate a goal, leaving Canada's Nicci Wright to pick herself up and brace for another onslaught.

Russia scored four second-half goals. WOMEN'S WORLD CUP FIRST ROUND Group A U.S. looks to share some playing time IMudSMM GF GA Pts io i 3 13 4 3 3 i 2 1 1 0 North Koraa Dennurfc SUNDAY, JUNE 20 At Paudm, Calif. Mgem 2, North Kona 1 THURSDAY At Chicago United StatM 7. Nigeri1 At Portland, Ora.

North Korai 3, Donmiit 1 TODAY At Landow, Md. Nigoiu w. Donmrt 1:30 At Foxbora, Mata. North Korw it Unttad Statat, 7 With a second-round bid all but clinched, expect reserves to be key in the battle against North Korea. Group U.S.

vs. Korea 7 tonight, at Foxboro, Mass. TV: ESPN2. Other games on TV Germany vs. Brazil, 1:30, ESPN2.

Nigeria vs. Denmark, 4, ESPN2. Mexico vs. Italy (taped), 12:30 a.m.,ESPN2. Associated Prsi yBrazil 2 0 0 Germany 1 0 1 Italy 0 0 1 Mexico 0 2 0 SUNDAY, JUNE 20 At Paaadana, CalH Germany Hah 1 THURSDAY At Chicago Brazil Hah 0 At Portland, Ora.

Germany 6, Mexico 0 TODAY At Undover, Md. Germany v. Brazil. 4 At Foxbora, Maaa. Mexico n.

Italy. 4 30 Tires thru My31sV. WELLESLEY, Mass. The U.S. soccer team is comfortably at the doorstep of the Women's World Cup quarterfinals.

So comfortable, in fact, that several starters almost certainly won't play today against North Korea. Following a spirited practice at Babson College on Saturday that attracted about 300 fans, the Americans made it clear they are taking the Koreans seriously in their round-robin finale. After all, a spot in the next round isn't quite secured, although it would take Group OF GA Pta game. As for the Koreans, DiCicco and his staff admit they don't know a lot They do know Korea likely will advance to the quarters with a victory, and could do so with a tie if the Danes beat Nigeria and don't make up a six-goal differential. "They have so much to gain," Akers said.

0 0 yNorway yRusaia Canada 1 0 2 1 2 1 I FIREHAWK SS10 SALE FIREHAWK SS10 SALE FR440 RADIAL SALE Save Thru July 31st! Long Mileage, Quiet Ride wsmmm to?" on Ammmsmi i firesfone firestone i SUNDAY, JUNE 20 At Foxboro, Maaa, Norway 2, Russia 1 WEDNESDAY At Lendovar, Md. Norway 7, Canada 1 At Portland, Or. Russia 5, Japan 0 SATURDAY At East Rutherford, N.J. Russia 4, Canada 1 At Chicago Norway 4, Japan 0 773- something very weird to keep the hosts out of the 3 W9 FT70C With UNI-T Excellent Wet Stopping firestone 70,000 Mile RADIAL SR All-Season. S-Speed Rated 45,000 Mile Limned Watranty 9' Save Thru July 31st! Indy-Style White Letters $99 50,000 Mile Limited Warranty White Letters SALE P22570R15 $61.99 P21565R15 61.99 P19560R15e 49.99 P21570R14 56.99 P18560R14 47.99 P22570R14 61.99 Black letters.

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Michelle Akers, above, and Kate Sobrero could use a day off to rest their bodies. Akers has much to gain by resting. She suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, so her practice work and game time is closely monitored. She sat out the second half against Nigeria. "When you go into a game and you spend the half a tank you have in the first half, if you stay on you dig a deeper hole in the reserve," she said.

"Any time you can some reserve, it's a bo-! nus." BANNED WEDDING Just before their opener against Denmark last weekend, married U.S. players were told by a FIFA official to take off their wedding rings. That was one battle the international organizing body for soccer was going to lose. FIREHAWK R4S SALE Save Thru July 31st! Smooth, Quiet Hwy. Ride final eight.

"We'll play to win," said defender home Fair, a likely starter in place of Kate Sobrero, who has a tender ankle. "But I think Tony will give the starters some rest." Coach Tony DiCicco said his plans heading into the match at Foxboro Stadium, where more than 48,000 tickets have been sold, were to have Sobrero and star midfielder Michelle Akers on the bench at the outset. That most likely would mean moving defender Brandi Chastain into Akers' spot and having youngsters Fair and Sara Whalen on the back line with veterans Carla Over-beck and Joy Fawcett There's a good firestone 99 Ay RADIAL AT DUELER AT With UNI-T All-Season. 2 Steel Belts Civilized All-Terrain Adventure Lexesuifsr BRiDCEsrone yChina 3 0 0 12 2 9 ySweden 2 1 0 6 3 6 Ghana 0 2 1 1 10 1 Australia 0 2 1 3 7 1 yaoVancad to qutrtttlmtlg SUNDAY, JUNE 20 At Foxboro, Mass. Australia 1, Ghana 1 WEDNESDAY At Landovar, Md.

Sweden 3, Australia 1 At Portland, Ora. China 7, Ghana 0 SATURDAY At East Rutherford, N.J. China 3, Australia 1 At Chicago Sweden 2, Ghana 0 QUARTERFINALS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30 Quarterfinal 1 At San Jose, CaKf China vt. Russia, 8 Quarterfinal 2 At San Jose, Calif. Norway vs Sweden.

10 30 THURSDAY, JULY 1 Quarterfinal 3 At Landovar, Md Group A winner vs. Group second piece, 7 Quarterfinal 4 At landovar, Md Group winner vs. Group A second place. 9:30 SEMIFINALS SUNDAY, JULY 4 At Stanford, Calif Quarterfinal 3 winner vs quarterfinal 4, 4:30 At Foxboro, Maaa. Quarterfinal 1 winner vs quarterfinal 2 7:30 SUMMARIES Russia 4, Canada 1 Our Best Price 50,000 Mile F570 RADIAL SALE Save Thru July 31st! Premier Small Car Tiro Tiresfone SALE! $999 aaaaW aT i6rV7onm 60,000 Mile Limited Warranty Blackwall SALE 16570R13 37.99 17570R13 38.99 18570R13 41.99 18570R14 43.99 19570R14 45.99 20570R14 48.99 Call lor other sizes For Uofit Trucks Limited Waiianty White Letters Price METRIC RADIAL Flow-Thru Tread Grooves' 40,000 Mile United Wsiianty Blackwall Price 155R12 $899 17570TR13 26 99 18570TR13 2799 155TR13 10 99 18570TR14 28 99 19570TR14 29 99 20570TR14 32.99 Call lor other sizes.

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wires, distributor caprotor, filters more Install new Bosch spark plugs Set timing idle (if applicable) Road test vehicle Most a cylrnder etectinwc sjnrtwo whKJel 6 a c-wster sirgMri rHgner Transwrse 6 engine and Art rtMertwenre esba Includes refill of up to 5qts.Kendain0W-30oil Lubricate chassis (If applicable) Most wnirtw Prtr rTM-urtes on Disposal Ins. FREE MANUFACTURER'S MAINTENANCE SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR YOUR CARI Most models 1983 -98 A pattirrslloo tocatJom. Install brake pads or shoes Resurface drums or rotors Adjust drum brakes (on serviced axle) Road test vehicle Most -erHClPs rsquir, sen nwlalic pads Brsei Ira rnesl ffirscles per a' Grsase vals and wnctl tearing repack ealra it needed ana compressor Adjust AC belt Perform system leak test Run performance test Ask About Retrofit To R134A, An Ozone-Safe Refrigerant! ma vtfickrs RptrrqnrOT flrtr, Certain stales raquinr added relrKjeranl la remand liom leasing srstern First half NoKoring. Second half 1, Russia, Grigorieva (Barfoaehina), 54th minute. 2, Russia, Fornma IGrigorieva), 66th.

3, Canada, Hooper (Donnellyl, 76th. 4, Russia, Fomina Letuchova, Kth. 5, Russia, O.Karasseva (Letuchova), 91st Yellow Cards Tanya Franck (Canada), 32nd minute, Isabella Harvey (Canada), 49th Natalia Karasseva (Russia) 77th. Red Cards None. Referee Zuo Xiudi, China.

Linesmen Lijuan, China; Ri Song Ok. North Korea. Attendance NA Norway 4, Japan 0 Norway i 1-4 0 0-0 5IOTIWff629l-9lh St. N. MV05262 527-6451 Open Sunday mmmi 770049 St.

MV052J8 544-6601 Open Sunday tMlM MKKt 36298 U.S. 19 MV05257 785-8814 Open Sunday WW S.R. 580 4 Pdricia MV05255 733-41 77 Open Sunday BMH.ighborfiood Core Care iVVMullenfloc Ccochman R. 590) MV25448 725-2563 (Affiliated Dealer) tUrfff9009 U.S. Hwy.

19 N. MV05260 145-1094 Open Sunday rWWiMjIfr5425 U.S. Hwy. 19 N. MV05256 142-76 5 8 Open Sunday "This FIFA guy was having a cow about our rings and told us we had to take them all off before we could go on the field," Julie Foudy said.

"That's a joke. The men have all these chains they wear when they play, and in international friendlies, we can wear jewelry. "So we stood in the tunnel and just kept smiling as he talked and nodded and said, I looked over at Mich (Akers) and we said to each other, "We're not taking them "I guess, theoretically, they could do something." Instead, another FIFA official came along and said it was fine to keep wedding rings on. ANYTHING THEY CAN DO Oleg Lapshin, the president of the Russian women's soccer association, had a short response when asked about the popularity of women's soccer in his homeland. "Very weak support, quite frankly," he said.

Despite that, Lapshin noted Russia has a professional women's league of eight teams, from which most of Russia's national players are picked. That should offer ammunition for those supporting a professional league for the United States. chance DiCicco will find a way to give some time off to forwards Mia Hamm and Tiffeny Milbrett. Hamm sat out most of the second half of a 7-1 rout of Nigeria, a rough game in which she and Milbrett took a physical beating. If the Americans can build a lead on the surprising Koreans, who are 1-1 after a 3-0 pasting of Denmark, look for Danielle Fotopoulos of the University of Florida and Shannon MacMillan to get a lot of time up front "We won't do anything that jeopardizes our winning the game and our group," DiCicco said.

"But it would be nice to get them in and get some rest for the players who've played three games in eight days. "But if we need any of them on the field, they will be on the field." For the United States to fall out of the tournament, it would have to lose by at least five goals and Nigeria would have to beat Denmark by 10. An observer at practice noted that the U.S. men might be capable of such a collapse, but not this group. So pencil in the Americans for the quarterfinals in Landover, on Thursday against Brazil, Germany or Italy.

And expect them to be relatively well-rested for that First half Norway, Rise (pan arty kick), 9th minute. Norway, Japan's tsoioii (own goal), 29th. Norway, Aaronea 36th. Second hatf Norway, MeHgren Lehnl, 91st Yellow Cards Japan, Homare Sawa, 65th. Norway, Sifte Jwgensen, 72nd.

Norway, Anna Tonneasen, 93rd. Referee Maneeta Confreres, Venezuela; Ghielaina Per. lon-Labbe. France; Susanna Borg, Sweden. I Attendance Sweden 2, Ghana 0 nWinSHOtt 4901 W.

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MV05252 371-5927 Open Sunday MJU1I2121 SKduieyn.MV05251 9224843 Open Sunday 0-0 0 2-2 Ghana Sweden PgmQnum 900 E. Ifennedy MV05267 229-2626 1MOISnMU 2102 E. Fowler Aw. MV0527I 977-5846 Open Sunday First half No scoring. Second hat Sweden, Svensson (Moatrom), 59th minute Sweden, Svensson Gustefsson, 96th.

Yellow Cards Nana Gyamfua (Ghana), 10th rneiuta; tjieae Oka), IGhana) si Referee Sonia Denoncourt Canada. Linesmen Ann IVenche Kleven, Norway; Come Krunhof, Hoftand We also honor: NO PAYMENT FOR 90 DAYS! NO INTEREST! NO ANNUAL FEE! XfTM MONfFRI. SAT. SUN. 9AM-5PM Attendance run.

China 3, Australia 1 see stereo vexm llriarJrJitirTrial II-tutor retire Specific prrerjuct oflerinrB and trMd rtasea may iiwy Mess, mrmet, MarrttarCars Smica ottaar rfJfsrs avratawa at hrrstorss fire Sarvsce rjanters and Tert Station, seat -rflihalsd rteakeis tested tor ft cornpetitiv offers and vwrrantajs you do not axtieeve ranteed tmhsaoe your rnrestone retaras, Actual tread eft) may wry A aaraxrarrties apply onty to ixiqmat cwrrajr on ongmalty mstallad vofecta See retailer for detatfa. art com al each kmttolimTanli tCredit terms mar availarjle by Credit First A No Payment tor 90 Days on qualifying purchases Ho Interest due on Qualifying purchases if paid fuH within 90 days Interest as I fixed rate (21 84 wrtt be imposed from me oaia or ourciRSSB nw mhu wi iun eanimi au uays minimum ciitnut; au au. osser yuua ueuri itfiu ewjmeriieni roe runner detain) Australia 0 11 China 1 23 First half 1, Chins, Sun IZheol, minute. Second hal 2 China. Sun (Pu), 51st 3, Australia, Mnbury IMurrsy).

96th 4, Liu (Pul, 73rd. Yellow Cards Fan Vunjie IChma), Ml; Wen Ltrong fChinal. 70th Red Cards Alicia Ferguson lAujtraaal, 2nd. Rf eras Sandra Hunt, United States. Linesmen Ana isabef Perez Assante, Peru; Hrset yosfnzawa, Japan.

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