Stuart Holden scores in second half to give US a 1-0 win over Japan

Source: Agencies  |   2008-8-7  |     ONLINE EDITION

Keisuke Honda, left, of Japan and Maurice Edu, right, of USA, vie for the ball during a Group B Men's Soccer match between Japan and the USA at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Tianjin, China, today. The Scottish-born Stuart Holden scores in second half to give US a 1-0 win over Japan. More in photo gallery

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STUART Holden ended the United States' three-game scoring drought with a goal in the second half today, giving the Americans a 1-0 victory over Japan in the Olympic opener for both.

The Scottish-born Holden, who hasn't scored for Houston in 16 Major League Soccer games this season but had three goals in the North American SuperLiga, struck a loose ball at the top of the penalty area that Japanese goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa was able to slow, but couldn't keep from trickling over the line in the 47th minute.

"It's always a good feeling to get a goal," Holden said. "MLS is on the side right now. It's great to get a goal not only personally, but to get a win."

A victory was critical for both teams with the more heavily favored Dutch and Nigerians yet to play in Group B.

"It was very important," US midfielder Freddy Adu said. "Now we have to go against Holland, then Nigeria. I couldn't be happier. The guys couldn't be happier. (Coach) Peter (Nowak) couldn't be happier."

Wing back Marvelle Wynne was critical in creating the US goal, using sheer speed down the right side to get a half step on Yuto Nagatomo and send his low drive into the goal box. Japanese captain and center back Hiroki Mizumoto deflected the ball out to the top of the penalty area, where Holden ran onto it unchallenged.

The Americans entered the game not having scored a goal since a 3-0 victory over Canada in the semifinals of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying. It lost the final to Honduras. The Americans also failed to score against Cameroon and Ivory Coast in friendlies last week at the ING Cup in Hong Kong.

"It was a relief to get our first goal," American midfielder Robbie Rogers said. "We created a lot of chances and we were dangerous in the final third."

Maurice Edu was a force in the center of the American backline. Normally a midfielder for Toronto FC, he was paired with Michael Parkhurst in the middle of the US defense and repeatedly stymied Japanese threats.