teams 09:53 p.m Jun 17, 1999 Eastern

NEW YORK, June 17 (Reuters) - Brief sketches of the 16 nations competing in the third Women's World Cup soccer tournament beginning Saturday:

GROUP D

China

The Olympic silver medalists boast the swiftest team in the tournament and are considered co-favourites with the United States after taking two of three meetings from the host nation earlier this year. Players to watch are veteran midfielders Liu Ailing, Zhoa Lihong and Sun Wen. Goalkeeper Goa Hong, known for her acrobatic saves, is among the world's finest.

Sweden

The Swedes have so far failed to live up to their promise and do not figure to make a breakthrough this time around. They finished fourth in the first World Cup, went out in the

quarter-finals in penalties to China as the host nation in 1995 and slipped to a sixth-place finish at the Olympics. Malin Andersson and Kristin Bengtsson are the key attackers.

Australia

The Australians are expected to battle Sweden for the other Group D second-round berth with China a virtual lock to advance. Australia is led by defender Anissa Tann-Darby and midfielders Julie Murray and Lisa Casagrande.

Ghana

Not even expected to get this far, Ghana stunned everyone but themselves by reaching the African qualifying final before losing to Nigeria. The World Cup newcomers must avoid being awed by the occasion and the tactical skills of opponents.

GROUP A

United States

The United States, World Cup champions in 1991 and 1996 Olympic gold medalists, won't be tested until the quarter-finals at the earliest.

The Americans, who finished third in 1995, boast a veteran team led by Mia Hamm, the world's all-time scoring leader with 108 international goals. But Hamm is far from a one-woman show. Tiffeny Milbrett is a lethal scorer and Kristine Lilly just might be the best all-around player in the game, making the U.S. squad favourites to win on home turf.

Denmark

Not quite good enough to play consistently with the top teams but capable of stealing a game, Denmark has participated in both Cups and the Olympics. They are expected to be the Americans' most difficult first-round opponent, although Denmark as lost its last four meetings with the United States.

Their top players are defenders Lene Terp and Birgit Christensen, midfielders Anne Nielsen and Christina Petersen and forward Gitte Krogh.

Nigeria

The premier African team must take it up a notch or two to reach the next round. The Golden Falcons, who outscored their rivals 26-0 in five qualifiers, have never won a game in the World Cup (0-5-1). Forward Mercy Akide and midfielder Nkiru Okosieme, daughter of former international goalkeeper Cyril Okosieme, are the go-to players.

North Korea

The surprise side of the Asian qualifying tournament, the physical North Koreans will draw media attention more for the political overtones of playing the United States than for the level of competition they are likely to provide.

GROUP B

Germany

Of the four seeded teams, Germany is the least likely to win it all. Doris Fitschen and Steffi Jones form a solid backline in front of goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg. Bettina Wiegmann and Martina Voss are a lethal duo in the midfield. They have paired two 21-year-olds up front in Birgit Prinz and Sandra Smisek.

Brazil

After finishing ninth in the first two World Cups, Brazil took a quantum leap at the Olympics with a fourth-place finish. They outscored their South American foes by a 66-3 margin during qualifying and beat the visiting U.S. side 1-0 last year. Forward Pretinha (27 goals in 21 matches) and midfielder Sissi (25 goals in 19 games) are keys to the attack.

Italy

Not surprisingly, the Italian women play a very disciplined, defensive game, not unlike the men's side. Midfielder Antonella Carta is considered their best player on a team that will need some luck and goals to advance.

Mexico

The first-time Cup qualifiers are coached by former Mexican World Cup captain Leonardo Cuellar. They have a U.S. flavor due to nine players with Mexican-American backgrounds. Players to watch include midfielders Laurie Hill (a three-time All-American in college) and Andrea Rodebaugh and forward Maribel Dominguez.

GROUP C

Norway

Defending champions Norway bring a team that is big, strong and knows how to win tight matches. The Norwegians finished second in 1991, took home the trophy in '95 -- surrendering only one goal -- and earned the 1996 Olympic bronze medal. Forward Marianne Pettersen (47 goals in 62 matches) is one of the world's premier players, while captain Linda Medalen, once a scoring threat as a forward, leads a physical defence. Hege Riise is one of the top central midfielders around.

Canada

Canada has not blossomed at the international level, although it features world-class players in Charmaine Hooper (28 goals) and Silvana Burtini (14 qualifying goals).

Japan

Both of Japan's previous World Cup endeavours were nothing to write home about as they compiled a lackluster 1-5 record. Japan again does not figure to play a big role except to add to the win columns of opponents.

Russia

The Russians are defensive-minded and physical, but the World Cup debutantes lack a world-class goal scorer.