Brazil began their campaign for a first world women's title with
a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Australia while Norway grabbed a late 1-0 win
over outsiders Equatorial Guinea at the World Cup in Germany
Wednesday.

Brazil, losing finalists in 2007, struggled for long spells
before Rosana finished well in the 54th minute to give the South Americsn the
edge in the Group D game in Moenchengladbach.

Cristiane was the provider
with some neat work on the edge of the area, heading the ball on to Rosana who
swivelled and hit a left-foot half-volley past Melissa Barbieri in the Australia
goal.

Australia came close to snatching a stoppage time equalizer, but
the Brazilians managed to scramble the ball away following a corner.

"We
have a strong team, I think we have seen that," said Rosana.

"We played
well and our girls defended well, and now we will fight to the
end."

Australia coach Tom Sermanni said: "Of course, I am disappointed
but we achieved a lot, entertained the public, showed a lot of quality and
almost got something at the end.

"You are up against one of the
tournament favourites with quality players. There were chances at both ends. I
am very proud of the performance but disappointed we didn't get anything out of
the game."

Fancied Norway were also unconvincing in a scrappy Group D
game in Augsburg which was settled by Emilie Haavi six minutes from time with a
shot into the roof of the net after keeper Miriam could only get her fingertips
to a low cross from the right from Larsen Kaurin.

Norway had twice been
denied by the post but the Africans could count themselves unlucky after captain
Genoveva Anonma missed a hat-trick of chances.

"It was an incredibly
important victory," Norway coach Eli Landsem said.

"We wanted to score
more goals but we couldn't manage it unfortunately.

Equatorial Guinea
coach Marcello Frigerio said: "It was a very equal game right to the end. At big
tournaments like this it is the little things that give you victories. You can
despair when you fail to take so many chances."

Hosts Germany, who won
their opening Group A game 2-1 against Canada, play Nigeria in Frankfurt
Thursday. In the group's other game, Canada take on France, who beat Nigeria
1-0, in Bochum