World champion Germany routed China 8-0 while the United States defeated host Greece 3-0 in the openers of the women's soccer tournament, which kicked off Wednesday, two days before the official opening of the Olympic Games.

In other two matches of the day, Japan scored a 1-0 victory over Sweden and Brazil nipped Australia 1-0 in the three-group preliminaries, with top two of each group entering the

quarterfinals, together with a pair of best third-placers.

In a lop-sided Group F match, the Germans, also bronze medalists at the Sydney Olympics, enjoyed their scoring sprees against the attack-oriented the Chinese, as 26-year-old striker Birgit Prinz netted home four goals alone to justify her double awards of Golden Ball and Golden Shoe at the 2003 World Cup.

Thirteen minutes into the match, Prinz found the net in her solo run, and made her double in the 21st minute for a 2-0 lead into the second half, before she sliced open the Chinese defense twice more in the 73rd and 88th minutes.

"After losing two goals in the first half, we should have formed a better defense line, but unfortunately my attacking strategy proved to be s mistake," said Zhang Haitao, head coach of the Chinese team.

"What the Chinese side lacked is their attacking," German coach Theune-Meyer said.

A loose defense line left the Chinese goal an vulnerable target, as Pia Wunderlich and Renate Lingor made two in the 65th and 76th minutes, and Conny Pohlers and Martina Mueller completed their scoring performance in another span of eight minutes before the last whistle.

The Chinese only made a few scares in front of the German goalmouth, as they were slow in speed and shorter in height.

In Group G, the United States, the reigning Olympic champion, also surged ahead 2-0 over Greece at half time through Shannon Boxx in the 14th minute and Abby Wambach in the 30th minute before star striker Mia Hamm sealed the match 3-0 in the 82nd minute.

Marta drove home her goal to award a 1-0 victory for Brazil in another Group G match over Australia.

In Group E, Eriko Arakawa scored the lone goal in the 24th minute for Japan in a 1-0 victory over Sweden.

Source: Xinhua