Big guns of soccer start with a bang

Brazil, Spain and Chile scored convincing wins in their opening games at the men's Olympic soccer tournament last night.

In Brisbane, Brazil beat Slovakia 3-1, Spain accounted for Korea 3-0 while Chile, buoyed by a hat-trick from star striker Ivan Zamorano, beat Morocco 4-1 in Melbourne in the other Group B match.

In the other men's match, Asian champions Japan edged out South Africa 2-1.

Spain's goals came from captain Toni Velamazan, with a 25m drive, Jose Mari and his Barcelona team-mate Xavi.

Morocco's prospects of upsetting Chile were effectively ended in the sixth minute when Adel Chbouki was sent off for dissent.

The powerful United States women's football team, expected to break up after the Olympics, showed they were on course to go out in style with a 2-0 win over Norway in Melbourne, while, in Canberra, group opponents China beat Nigeria 3-1 in their opener.