New Zealand women's soccer team almost created history to end their no-winning record in major international events, only to see their Olympic opener leveled in the last moment by Japan in Qinhuangdao on Wednesday.

"Our team is improving," New Zealand head coach John Herdman said through an interpreter. "We were dominating in the first 25 minutes, but the players are still young."

Though not satisfied with the result, New Zealand's goalkeeper, Jenny Bindon, said:"We are a different team now. Same players but different spirit, different goals from three years ago." She made several incredible savings today, including Japanese attacker Shinobu Ohno's one-on-one firing.

Kirsty Yallop opened the scoring for New Zealand when Japanese defender Yukari mistakenly avoided a cross.

In the 56th minute, Japanese defender Azusa Iwashimizu received a yellow card and also gave New Zealand a penalty. Amber Hearn extended the lead to 2-0.

However, 16 minutes later, Japan was also awarded a penalty kick after New Zealand's defender Katie Hoyle pushed a Japanese player. Aya Miyama coolly sent the ball into the goalkeeper's far left corner.

"Our young players are still learning. You can't push players," Herdman said. "I hope from now on we will give away fewer penalties."

When the cheering crowds thought New Zealand had won, Japanese captain Homare Sawa leveled the match 2-2 by flicking the ball into the net after receiving a free kick.

The goal was also Sawa's 70th international goal.

"We were inspired by the penalty goal," Japanese coach Sasaki said. "We finally equalized the game because we never gave up."

Yet the game ended bad for Sawa. She clashed with New Zealand's defender during the injury time and was carried off on a stretcher.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)