Germany, USA set up semi-final clash at Women´s World Cup

OTTAWA: Footballing giants Germany and the United States set up a much-anticipated semi-final clash in the Women´s World Cup on Friday by beating France and China respectively.

But the world´s top two teams advanced to the final four in contrasting fashions.

Top-ranked Germany, winners in 2003 and 2007, won a dramatic penalty shoot-out 5-4 to break French hearts after the tie ended 1-1 after 120 minutes in Montreal.

The United States, champions in 1991 and 1999, overpowered China 1-0 in front of a largely American crowd of 24,000 fans at Ottawa´s Lansdowne Stadium thanks to a second half Carli Lloyd goal.

The scoreline was deceptive as the young Chinese "Steel Roses" were no match for the world´s number two ranked team.

"It was just great, the more pressure we put China under, the more they coughed the ball up," said Lloyd, who earned her 200th cap in the game.

"We just kept our foot down on the pedal and that was just what we needed.

"We´re going to be flying in the next game."

Although the Germans played 30 minutes more than the Americans, US coach Jill Ellis doesn´t expect that to hamper them in Tuesday´s game in Montreal.

"They´re Germans, it won´t be a disadvantage for them," quipped Ellis.
"I don´t think it impacts the players at this level. Everyone who steps on this pitch will be committed to playing."

The Americans shrugged off the absence of two of their key players -- Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday -- through suspension.

"This team steps up in big moments, we didn´t have two starters on the field and everybody needed to pitch in. They did a great job," said Ellis.

China coach Hao Wei blamed himself for their 25th consecutive defeat to the Americans who beat them in the 1999 final.

"We lost the game because of me," he said. "These girls did their best. I didn´t do well in tactics.

"Our goal was to go to the semi-finals. We didn´t fulfill that so it´s a pity." (AFP)