Germany, US stay in the running for a record third title
Women’s World Cup defending champions Japan face England for the other spot in the final
Germany and the United States clash in Montreal today for the first final berth of the Women’s World Cup with champions Japan and England playing their semi-final in Edmonton tomorrow.
As the tournament enters the final straight the world order remains unchanged with the only absence being thirdranked France who came up against top-ranked Germany in the quarter-finals, losing 5-4 on penalties after the tie ended 1-1 after extra time. Holders Japan are ranked fourth and take on England, two places below them, while Sweden, in fifth, also fell by the wayside to Germany 4-1 in the last 16. Japan beat Australia, the lowest ranked team in the quarter-finals at tenth, 1-0.
Record bid
Germany and the United States, ranked second behind the European champions, have split four of the six titles the tournament has had to offer since the inaugural edition in China in 1991. Both will be bidding to stay in the running for a record third title in Vancouver on July 5. The United States won in China and took a second in 1999 at home, with Germany, winning backto-back titles in 2003 and 2007.
Germany will have to show that they have recovered from their tough 120 minutes of football against France.
“Winning such a tough game as against France makes you very confident but we had to play for 120 minutes, we have some injured players, we have to rest and to recover,” said Germany coach Silvia Neid.
“The next task won’t be any easier but we are among the best four teams in the world and we’re feeling good so maybe there is some life left in us to go on,” Neid added.
The Americans will nevertheless be fresher having eased past China 1-0, although they had tougher group matches against Australia, Nigeria and Sweden.