The Algarve Cup kicked off with some drama, as Australia edged Norway 4-3, the Netherlands hit Japan for six, Sweden beat Canada and Portugal came from behind to defeat ten-player China.
Australia won a seven-goal thriller with Norway 4-3. Elise Thorsnes opened the scoring but the Matildas were 3-1 up by the 31st minutes through Clare Polkinghone, Chloe Logarzo and Sam Kerr. Lisa-Marie Utland and a second from Thorsnes brought Norway level, only for Polkinghorne to dramatically hit the winner 5 minutes into added time.
Also in Group A, Portugal quickly cancelled out a goal by China’s Xu Yanlu through Carolina Mendes. Li Ying was sent off with 7 minutes left and the numerical advantage saw Carole Costa get the winner.
Russia went ahead against South Korea through Anna Belomyttseva but they could not quite hold the lead until half-time, with Mi-Na Lee equalising in the Group B game. Chae-Rin Han put the Loreans in front and Seol-Bin Jung made sure of the win with 13 minutes left.
Sweden sent Canada to a 3-1 defeat, Mimmi Larsen scoring shortly before the break and although Nichelle Prince equalised early in the second half, Fridalino Rolfo restored the advantage and Stina Blackstenius completed the scoring late on.
Denmark and Iceland drew 0-0 in Group C but the other tie saw Netherlands thrash Japan 6-2. Lieke Martens and Lineth Beerensteyn scored in the first 8 minutes, Siri Worm and van Shanice der Sanden extended the lead to 4-0. Although Emi Nakajima replied, Stephanie van der Gragt made it 5-1 on half-time and Martens later doubled her tally before Mana Iwabuchi got a late second goal back.
