(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-09-18 17:07

SHANGHAI, China - Typhoon Wipha, potentially the strongest to hit East China in a decade, has forced the rescheduling of two women's World Cup matches.

The Notice to reschedule two women's World Cup matches is seen in FIFA's official website www.fifa.com, September 18, 2007.

The storm was expected to make landfall early Wednesday, bringing with it driving rain and gusting winds.

FIFA, the world governing body of soccer, on Tuesday moved a match set for Wednesday in Shanghai - Norway vs. Ghana in Group C - to the neighboring city of Hangzhou. The game will be played on Thursday.

FIFA also moved a Group D match between Brazil and Denmark from Wednesday to Thursday. The game will be played as scheduled in Hangzhou.

FIFA decided to try playing a Group B match Tuesday in Shanghai between the United States and Nigeria. The other Group B match in the northern city of Tianjin between North Korea and Sweden was also set to go ahead.

The Americans and North Korea need only a draw to reach the quarterfinals.

Germany and England became the first two teams to reach the quarterfinals, advancing on Monday. Germany defeated Japan 2-0 and England thrashed Argentina 6-1.

All four quarterfinals are to be played on Saturday and Sunday with the final on September.