Women’s World Cup Catch-up – Day Twenty-One

 

The Sports Lowdown’s coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup continues and on day 21, Germany, France, China PR and the USA were all battling to see who would progress into the last 4 of the tournament.

 

 

GERMANY 1 FRANCE 1

(GERMANY WON 5-4 ON PENALTIES)

 

The Penalty shootout heroics of German captain Nadine Angerer helped Silvia Neid’s side book their place in the Semi-Finals of the Women’s World Cup.

However, it was Philippe Bergeroo’s side that struck first in the second half after midfielder Louisa Necib’s strike was deflected past German keeper Angerer.

But defender Amel Majri was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area in the closing stages, so German forward Celia Sasic duly stepped up and dispatched the spot kick, sending keeper Sarah Bouhaddi the wrong way, and levelling the match.

Substitute Gaetane Thiney wasted a glorious chance to send the French into the last four in a tense extra-time affair, meaning the Quarter-final in Montreal would be decided by penalties, in which, yet again a German side won.

 

Germany:

Angerer ©, Maier, Krahn, Laudehr, Mittag (Marozsan 46), Sasic, Peter, Leupolz, Popp (Dabritz 70), Goeßling, (Behringer 79), Kemme.

France:

Bouhaddi, Renard ©, Georges, Henry, Houara, Le Sommer (Thiney 91), Abily, Thomis (Lavogez 69), Necib, Delie (Hamraoui 101), Majri.

 

CHINA PR 0 USA 1

 

The United States dominated most of the match and ran out worthy winners in Ottawa.

Within minutes of the match starting, USA forward Amy Rodriguez broke clear of the Chinese defence and was clean through on goal, but her elaborate chip sailed comfortable wide.

The Chinese were constantly troubled and shortly after the break fell behind to a powerful header by USA captain Carli Lloyd following a Julie Johnston cross.

Hao Wei’s side hardly figured as an attacking force due to the dominance of the Americans but can be proud of their World Cup achievements.

 

China PR:

Wang F, Liu Sh Sh, Wu H Y ©, Li D N, Wang Sh Sh, Zhao R, Lou J H (Wang Sh 35), Han P (Tang J L 74), Tan R Y (Pang F Y 58), Wang L S, Ren G X.

USA:

Solo, Sauerbrunn, O’Hara (Press 61), Rodriguez (Wambach 86), Lloyd ©, Krieger, Morgan (O’Reilly) 81), Brian, Heath, Johnston, Klingenberg.

 

The Stars and Stripes will now face Germany in what will surely be an epic Semi-Final between two equally equipped sides in Montreal on Tuesday.