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SOCCER MEDIA REPORTS:

US WOMEN BEAT CANADA IN OLYMPIC SOCCER 15August 2008

From World Soccer News

Defending champions the United States struggled into the Olympic women's football semi-finals beating Canada 2-1 in a storm-disrupted marathon that took more than four hours to complete here Friday.

Players were forced from the field after 20 minutes in the North American local derby when a spectacular thunder and lightning storm erupted over the Shanghai Stadium field with the United States leading 1-0.

Canada, who have only beaten the United States four times in 44 meetings, equalised soon after play resumed more than 100 minutes later.

With shots going everywhere except into the goal in the slippery conditions, the score remained locked 1-1 until the final whistle forcing the players into extra time where substitute US forward Natasha Kai scored the decider.

It was a solid performance from the Canadians in their first Olympics, but the experience of the USA, who have won two of the three previous Games where women's football has been held, told in the end.

The United States' intentions of dominating early were immediately evident when standout performer Angela Hucles fired a shot after just 20sec which narrowly went over the bar.

A constant wave of US attacks eventually brought reward when in the 12th minute Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod twisted her leg and fell as she turned to cover a cross leaving the goal open for Hucles.

But the rain interruption soon allowed the Canadians time to regroup and they came out a much stronger unit when play resumed.

They quickly struck back when captain Christine Sinclair latched on to a deft pass from Clare Rustad and fired in from long range.

They had chances to go ahead in the first half but shots from Kara Lang and Emily Zurrer missed the net while Hucles wasted a sitter for the United States firing wide with only replacement goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc to beat.

The United States regained their momentum after the interval and Canada spent most of the second half desperately defending.

But the slippery conditions, worsened by further heavy rain in the closing 30 minutes, made accurate shooting difficult and Hucles best attempt, unmarked from five metres out, went straight to LeBlanc.

It took until 10 minutes into extra time before the deadlock was broken when Shannon Boxx pushed the ball across the front of the goal for Kai to crash in the winner sending the United States into a semi-final against the winner of the match between China and Japan.