by sportswriter Yan Liang

    TIANJIN, North China, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Brazil cruised to the semifinals in the Olympic women's soccer tournament after beating Norway 2-1 here on Friday.

    Midfielder Daniela put Brazil ahead in the 44th minute with a powerful shot from outside the box.

    Marta doubled the advantage in the 57th minute when Norway's center back Marit Fiane Christensen underhit the backpass, allowing Marta nip in and lob goalkeeper Erika Skarbo.

    Norway pulled one back in the 82nd minute with defender Siri Nordby's penalty kick after forward Elise Thorsnes was pushed down by goalkeeper Barbara in a counterattack.

    "I had 10 opportunities and scored two goals. I'm happy with that," said Marta, who was regarded as the best women soccer player and has scored twice in the tournament.

    "The defense of Norway was focused on me, and although that's not good (for me) it's good because it opened space for other players," Marta said. "If we can continue getting these tough wins then we can win the gold medal. It doesn't matter if the victories are easy or difficult. The important thing is the gold medal."

    "It was the first time their goalkeeper has come to the Olympic Games and I'm good at shooting so I had the chance," Daniela said. "Norway played in a defensive way, but we could still open up space. We are very good at passing. "

    "Marta at her best is outstanding and Daniela is good at shooting," said Norway head coach Bjarne Berntsen. "It was tremendous shot for the first goal."

    Looking ahead to Monday's semifinal, Brazil head coach Barcellos said: "I am not concerned about who will be our opponents. I just need to win."

    "If you need to be champion, you should have capability of beating any rivals," said Barcellos, whose team will play against the winner of Germany vs Sweden in Shanghai on Monday.

    Friday's quarterfinal match featured contrasting styles. The skillful South Americans sought to impose their short passing game while the European side tried to exploit their aerial strength with long passes and high balls.

    The Brazilian squad is almost the same with that in last year's World Cup when they humbled the United States 4-0 in the semifinal and suffered a 2-0 loss to Germany in the final.

    Brazil's top star Marta formed strike partnership with Cristiane, who had scored a hat-trick in her team's 3-1 win over Nigeria in the final group match.

    After a fairly even start, Brazil slowly controlled the situation. Cristiane produced the team's first shot in the 13th minute when she failed to steer the ball into the empty net after intercepting the pass from Barbara.

    In the 22nd minute, midfielder Formiga's powerful long shot sailed just over the crossbar.

    Norway's first shot came in the 38th minute when midfielder Marita Skammelsrud Lund headed over from a free-kick.

    Only five minutes later, forward Elise Thorsnes shot over a cross from midfielder Lene Storlokken.

    Cristiane had a chance to extend the lead in the 68th minute, but her powerful shot at the edge of the box was tipped over by Skarbo.

    Midfielder Solveig Gulbrandsen wasted Norway's last chance in the 90th minute when she headed over from a right-side free-kick.

    Brazil had reached the quarterfinals from Group F after a goalless draw with World Cup champions Germany and two wins over DPR Korea and Nigeria while Norway beat Olympic defending champions the United States and New Zealand in Group G, but was humiliated 5-1 by Japan.