Norway dominates Thailand with 4-0 victory in Group B opener
Norway defender Solveig Gulbrandsen (8) clears a pass by Thailand from in front of goaltkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth during the first half of their Women’s World Cup group game Sunday.
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OTTAWA — Norway dominated Thailand, 4-0, to open Group B play at the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.
No. 11-ranked Norway, the 1995 world champion, scored in the 15th minute when Trine Ronning bent a free kick around a wall of Thai defenders to beat goalkeeper Waraporn Boonsing.
Isabell Herlovsen added a pair of goals five minutes apart, beating Boonsing in the 29th minute and heading in a crossing pass from Solveig Gulbrandsen in the 34th. Ada Hegerberg capped the scoring in the 68th minute.
The lowest-ranked team in the field at 67th, Thailand made the tournament after a steroid scandal involving five players from No. 8-ranked North Korea at the 2011 Women’s World Cup.
Boonsing had a spectacular save on Maren Mjelde on a penalty kick in the 75th minute.
After Duangnapa Sritala was whistled for a hand ball in the penalty area and received a yellow card, Mjelde drove her kick to the keeper’s right. Boonsing guessed correctly and stopped it.
