Germany seeks first ever defense of women's title

FE Team | Published: September 30, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

SHANGHAI, SEPT 29 (AP): Germany's quest to become the first team in women's soccer history to defend a major title will face its ultimate test against a brilliant Brazil in Sunday's final of the women's World Cup.
No team in history has been able to defend a World Cup or Olympic title in the women's game, but never before has a team had credentials to match those of Germany.
From the time it won its opening match 11-0, Germany was stamped as the team to beat, and it will enter the final not only as the highest scoring team, but having also gone 529 minutes without conceding a World Cup goal.
Nadine Angerer is the custodian of that record as goalkeeper.
"It would be absolutely special to be the first team to win two in a row," Angerer said. "We are aware of that record. We have a whole list of reasons we want to win this World Cup, and that is one of them."
"I'm proud of what we've achieved by not letting in a goal, but if we win the final 3-2 it would be fine with me."
Germany's perfect defensive record will face its greatest challenge against Brazil, whose striker Marta and Cristiane have scored 12 goals between them in this tournament, and who destroyed the United States 4-0 in a semifinal.
"I've been a little bit surprised in this tournament because Brazil are much more disciplined with their tactics than they have been in the past," Angerer said. "They've really improved their tactical systems a lot.
"I've played together with Cristiane for one and half years in club football, so of course I know that they have good individualplayersâ€.