Germany shatter Korean hopes to make semi-finals
Sunday, 23 September 2007
WUHAN, China, Sept 22 (AFP): Defending champions Germany powered into the women's World Cup semi-finals Saturday with a 3- 0 win over North Korea, shattering the hopes of the Asian number ones.
Kerstin Garefrekes pounced in the 44th minute and Renate Lingor and Annike Krahn hit the target in the second half to ensure Germany remain on track to be the only team to defend its title since the World Cup began 16 years ago.
It also kept intact their record of never having lost to an Asian team in World Cup history, having six wins out of six with 13 goals scored to none conceded.
Their victory sets up a semi-final against either host nation China or 1995 champions Norway in the northeastern city of Tianjin Wednesday.
Germany went into the match at Wuhan Sports Center Stadium as clear favourites but wary of a North Korean side seen as the dark horses of the tournament after impressive form in the group games.
In a flowing first-half, Germany had the first chance in the seventh minute when Garefrekes sent a weak left-foot shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.
A minute later Melanie Behringer let rip from 30 yards with her piledriver narrowly off target.
North Korea came close with 11 minutes on the clock as striker Kim Yong Ae breaking free and toe-poking a shot under pressure. Goalkeeper Nadine Angerer half-saved but Ri Un Gyung was unable to take advantage of the loose ball.
Germany brought roars from the sparse crowd in the 28th minute when Behringer whipped over a cross from the left and Sandra Smisek's diving header flew into the side-netting.
Kerstin Garefrekes pounced in the 44th minute and Renate Lingor and Annike Krahn hit the target in the second half to ensure Germany remain on track to be the only team to defend its title since the World Cup began 16 years ago.
It also kept intact their record of never having lost to an Asian team in World Cup history, having six wins out of six with 13 goals scored to none conceded.
Their victory sets up a semi-final against either host nation China or 1995 champions Norway in the northeastern city of Tianjin Wednesday.
Germany went into the match at Wuhan Sports Center Stadium as clear favourites but wary of a North Korean side seen as the dark horses of the tournament after impressive form in the group games.
In a flowing first-half, Germany had the first chance in the seventh minute when Garefrekes sent a weak left-foot shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.
A minute later Melanie Behringer let rip from 30 yards with her piledriver narrowly off target.
North Korea came close with 11 minutes on the clock as striker Kim Yong Ae breaking free and toe-poking a shot under pressure. Goalkeeper Nadine Angerer half-saved but Ri Un Gyung was unable to take advantage of the loose ball.
Germany brought roars from the sparse crowd in the 28th minute when Behringer whipped over a cross from the left and Sandra Smisek's diving header flew into the side-netting.