TODAY’S GAMES
United States vs. Denmark
* Time--Noon PDT. * TV--Channel 7.
* Site--Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
* Update--A sellout crowd of 77,000 is expected for the opener. That would be a record for the Women’s World Championship. The previous high was 65,00 for the U.S.-Norway final in China in 1991. The U.S. defeated the Danes, 5-0, the last time the teams played each other, in the 1998 Goodwill Games. Look for Danish defender Lene Terpe to have an impact, or at least a busy afternoon, and also watch for Denmark’s Mikka Hansen, a California-born forward who once played for the U.S. under-21 team.
* Prediction--U.S. by two goals.
*
Brazil vs. Mexico
* Time--2:30 p.m. * TV--ESPN2.
* Site--Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
* Update--This will be Mexico’s world championship debut and it probably will have the support of the U.S. fans, who would like to see the dangerous Brazilians stumble. Chances are, Brazil’s Pretinha and Katia will have a field day with the inexperienced Mexican defense. A lopsided score is likely. “We expect in the near future to be contenders,” said Mexico’s coach, Leonardo Cuellar. It won’t be this year, however. Brazil needs a victory to gain the jump on Germany, its main rival for first place in the group.
* Prediction--Brazil by four goals.
*
China vs. Sweden
* Time--5 p.m. * TV--ESPN2.
* Site--Spartan Stadium, San Jose.
* Update--The teams have met in the quarterfinals in each of the first two world championships, with the Swedes prevailing, 1-0, in China in ’91 and the Chinese winning on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie in Sweden in ’95. China has improved more in the last four years, and its fast and technically skilled team should be able to handle Sweden, which is more robust but not as quick. The game features two of the best goalkeepers in the world--Sweden’s Ulrika Karlsson and China’s Gao Hong. The narrow field will hurt both teams’ play.
* Prediction--China by a goal.
*
Japan vs. Canada
* Site--Spartan Stadium, San Jose.
* Time--7:30 p.m. * TV--ESPN2.
* Update--The Japanese are quick and could exploit Canada’s ponderous defense, but the Canadians have a solid goalkeeper in Karina LeBlanc and, in any case, the ball will mostly be at the other end of the field as midfielder Charmaine Hooper uses her speed and power to cut through the Japanese lines. The Canadians will have a definite height advantage, making them dangerous on set plays, but they will have to be aware of Homare Sawa. The talented midfielder easily could turn the game Japan’s way if she is in form.
* Prediction--Canada by two goals.
