Women's football kicks off Beijing Olympics

Brazil held world champions Germany to a goalless draw as the Olympic women's football competition got underway across China.

The Brazilians were seeking revenge for their 2-0 defeat in last September's World Cup final but had to settle for a share of the points in the Group F opener in Shenyang.

Hosts China launched their campaign with a 2-1 win over Sweden in Tianjin.

Han Duan grabbed a 72nd-minute as the football preliminaries kicked off two days before the opening ceremony.

Han's strike thrilled a near 38,000 crowd at the Tianjin Olympic Sports Center Stadium.

Defending Olympics champions USA were shock 2-0 losers against Norway.

Japan hit back from 2-0 down to snatch a 2-2 draw with an equaliser just four minutes from time against New Zealand in Qinhuangdao.

Canada opened their Group E campaign with a 2-1 win over Argentina in Tianjin.

The men's tournament begins on Thursday with eight matches at four venues.