TODAY’S GAMES

All Times Pacific

Australia vs. Ghana

* Site--Foxboro Stadium, Foxboro, Mass. * Time--10:30 a.m. * TV--ESPN.

* Update--This should be a wide-open game with neither team giving an inch. Both are physical sides, hard in the tackle and quick to react to a foul. The referee could have her hands full. Australia has Julie Murray to lead it up front, with Lisa Casagrande providing the creative inspiration on the wing. Ghana is something of an unknown quantity, but can counter with the speedy Vivian Mensah as the only real threat in a 3-5-2 formation.

* Prediction--Call it a tie, perhaps 2-2.

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Norway vs. Russia

* Site--Foxboro Stadium, Foxboro, Mass. * Time--1 p.m. * TV--ESPN2.

* Update--The world champion Norwegians face a bruising battle in their World Cup ’99 opener. Russia is a team of powerfully built athletes who are especially good in the air. That should curb some of Norway’s passion for the long ball. If Coach Per-Mathias Hogmo switches tactics and allows the Norwegians to play on the ground, up-and-coming stars such as forward Marianne Pettersen and the lightning-fast winger Dagny Mellgren could cause Russia’s defense problems all day long.

* Prediction--Norway by one goal.

*

Germany vs. Italy

* Site--Rose Bowl. * Time--4 p.m. * TV--ESPN2.

* Update--The fact that Brazil won its first game by six goals, 7-1 over Mexico, will not have been lost on the Germans and Italians, who know the South Americans now hold a big edge in goals scored should it come down to a tiebreaker for second place in the group and a chance to advance to the quarterfinals. It seems unlikely that this game will produce many goals, however. Germany’s defense, anchored by the vastly experienced Doris Fitschen, is one of the best in the world and Italy is, well, Italy.

* Prediction--Germany by one goal.

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North Korea vs. Nigeria

* Site--Rose Bowl. * Time--6:30 p.m. * TV--ESPN2.

* Update--This could be the match for second place in the group now that the United States has a victory under its belt and Denmark has a loss. The Koreans have the edge in technical skill and organization; the Nigerians counter with individual flair and an exceptional striker in “Marvelous” Mercy Akide. This also has the potential of being a flash-point game as far as the referee is concerned. North Korea plays a studs-up game, tackling just a little too enthusiastically.

* Prediction--North Korea by two goals.