Norway cranked up its offense in time for an expected shot at the United States in the Women's World Cup.

Norway beat South Korea 7-1 Saturday, just three days after losing to Brazil 4-1, and probably will face the United States in a quarterfinal Wednesday night in Foxboro.

"We've beaten the U.S. before and it's possible to do it again," said Dagny Mellgren, who had two goals for Norway.

That happened in the semifinals of the 1995 World Cup and Norway went on to win the tournament. The United States won the other two World Cups in 1991 and 1999.

Norway hardly looked like a threat in last Wednesday's flop against Brazil.

"We wanted to show the world, especially the Norwegians, that we're better than we played in the Brazilian game," Norway coach Age Steen said.

Norway finished second in Group B to Brazil. Norway will play the United States on Wednesday as long as the Americans beat or tie North Korea on Sunday. Norway is the only team in the World Cup with a winning record against the Americans.

"We played a great game compared to the last game" against Brazil, said Mellgren, who played for the Boston Breakers of the now-defunct WUSA.

The competition was much weaker Saturday. South Korea is making its first World Cup appearance and was shut out in its other two games. Kim Jin Hee scored the first goal in the nation's World Cup history in the 75th minute, making it 5-1.

"It's been a long journey for us so the players were tired and their condition wasn't very good," South Korea coach An Jong Goan said.

Linda Ormen also scored twice for Norway, and Marianne Pettersen, Solveig Gulbrandsen and Brit Sandaune each scored once. The total of eight goals matched a Women's World Cup record, accomplished five other times.

In Saturday's Group C game, Canada beat Japan 3-1 after going 0-4-2 in its other two World Cups and losing its opener this year. Its second straight win put it in the quarterfinals.

"Today wasn't Canada at its best," said coach Even Pellerud, who led his native Norway to the 1995 World Cup championship. "But it was the best (we've played) in the tournament."

Canada, which finished second in Group C, will play Thursday in Portland. The opponent will be the Group D winner, either Russia or China, who meet Sunday in Portland.

Canada used its superior height on two goals as it came back from a 1-0 deficit.

Christine Sinclair's go-ahead goal just cleared the raised hands of goalkeeper Nozomi Yamago in the 49th minute and.

"Against Japan, we knew we could beat them in the air," said Sinclair, who headed in a corner kick by Brittany Timko. "I just jumped a little bit and flicked it on goal. The goalie didn't have much of a chance."

Height came in handy on the third goal in the 72nd minute. Kara Lang shot the ball from 15 yards out on the left. It kept drifting to the far right of the net. Yamago backpedaled but it dropped just behind her.

"It's really difficult to respond to high balls," Japan coach Eiji Ueda said. "They have a physical advantage."

Japan took a 1-0 lead on Homare Sawa's goal in the 20th minute before Christine Latham tied it in the 36th minute.

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