Germany, Japan shocked, China held goalless at Algarve Cup

Algave Cup debutants Brazil dominated but failed to break China's defence in their opening match, which ended 0-0, while title holders Germany and world champions Japan were both shocked on Wednesday.

Though making five changes to their lineup throughout the game, the Chinese women's soccer team found themselves hard to gain possesions, not to mention to launch an attack.

After the break, the world No. 13 managed to create more opportunities, but all of their efforts went in vain.

China's best chance came in the 77th minute when substitute Tang Jiali got face-to-face with Brazilian goalkeeper Luciana Dionisio after a solo run but her flip was easily blocked off.

Star midfielder Marta could have opened scoring for Brazil on 81 minutes before her powerful shoot was tabbed over the bar by the Chinese goalie Zhang Yue.

In the other Group A matchup, current world No. 1 Germany scored twice in the opening four minutes against Sweden, but Caroline Seger and Sofia Jacobsson scored a brace each to boost the Nordic side to a huge win.

Dzsenifer Marozsan scored in the 2nd minute on a cracking volley and Simone Laudehr doubled Germany's lead two minutes later. But Seger got one back for Sweden in the 30th minute before Jacobsson wrapped it up 4-1.

The tournament opener between Japan and Denmark came out another shocker as Sanne Troelsgaard opened the scoring on just two mintues and Johanna Rasmussen scored the game-winner in the 56th minute.

Kozue Ando scored the lone goal for the reigning World Cup champions, who are on the third place in Group C after France nipped a 1-0 victory over hosts Portugal.

Switzerland are the surprising leaders in Group B after winning their first Algarve Cup match 2-0 over Iceland, beating the United States, who won over Norway 2-1, to the second place.

Lara Dickenmann scored twice for the Swiss, on a penalty kick in the 58th minute and again from the run of play in the 68th minute.

Carli Lloyd was the big hero for the nine-time winners U.S. who trailed Norway 1-0 at the half before Lloyd scored the equalizer at 56 and converted in a penalty kick just six minutes later.

All the 12 teams, with nine of them playing the women's World Cup in Canada in June, will come back to action on Friday as the 22nd edition of Algarve Cup, arguably women's most prestigious international exhibition tournament, has been slated this year on March 4-11.