European sides celebrate

It was a good day for Europe at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup as Russia secured a place in the last eight and Sweden gained a vital victory against the Asian champions.

Quarter-final for Russia
Russia had begun the tournament with the aim of progressing beyond the group stage as they did in 1999, and have achieved that goal with a match to spare after beating and eliminating Ghana 3-0 in Carson, California to go clear at the top of Group D.

Ghana start well
Having overcome Australia in their first game, Russia found themselves on the defensive in the first half-hour against their African opponents, but on 32 minutes Natalia Barbachina forced Memunatu Sulemana to save as they began to counterattack.

Win sealed
Four minutes later, Marina Saenko's curling free-kick put Russia ahead, and after the break they took control. On 54 minutes, another Saenko free-kick was turned on to the post by Olga Letyushova and Barbachina forced in the rebound. Letyushova's volley sealed the win ten minutes from the end.

China next
With China drawing 1-1 with Australia, Russia's last-eight place was secure. A draw between China and Russia on Sunday would confirm the Asian team's progress - and give the European contenders first place in the section.

Russian reaction
Russia coach Yuri Bystritsky said: "We were biding our time and counterattacking and we converted two of those counters into goals." Of the China match, he added: "We are going to play with full force because coming out of our pool in first place would mean we would not have to play one of the harder teams, like Germany, next."

Sweden edge to victory
Meanwhile, Sweden came back from losing their first game to the United States by gaining a 1-0 win against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Philadelphia. Victoria Svensson volleyed in a Malin Andersson cross on seven minutes, and in a tight game Ri Kum Suk hit the crossbar on 57 minutes but her team could not force an equaliser - though by avoiding a three-goal defeat, the Korean side remain above Sweden on goal difference.

Taking charge
Sweden coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors said: "We set out to take charge of the match from the outset, and we did just that. This was a match for survival." The US beat Nigeria 5-0 in the group's other match - Mia Hamm scoring twice.

Tight group
Thursday's results mean Sweden must gain a better result against Nigeria on Sunday than the Korean team do against the hosts to progress to the quarter-finals. A draw would confirm the US as group winners, while Nigeria must beat Sweden by better than a four-goal margin to have a chance of progress, and Domanski-Lyfors admitted: "It is unfortunate that someone has to lose in this group. There are three teams in this group that can go to the semi-finals."

Saturday games
Before those games, Groups B and C will conclude on Saturday. In Group B, victory is paramount for both France against leaders Brazil and Norway against the Korean Republic, while Germany have already secured a last-four place in Group C and need only draw against eliminated Argentina to finish top, while Japan will be through if they hold Canada.