WUHAN - Defending champion Germany wore down North Korea to win 3-0 on Saturday and advance to the women's World Cup semifinals.

Goals from Kerstin Garefrekes, Renate Lingor and Annike Krahn booked Germany's place in the last four, where it will face the winner of Sunday's Norway-China quarterfinal.

In the first half, the industrious North Koreans broke up German attacks, preventing the Europeans from establishing a rhythm. At the other end of the field, stout German defense held off repeated challenges.

Garefrekes put Germany ahead in the 44th minute, outmaneuvering three defenders to launch a left-foot shot from 15 meters (yards) that swerved past the fingertips of goalie Jon Myong-hui and inside the left post.

Renate Lingor widened the margin in the 67th minute with a goal from 12 meters (yards) out, after a nifty one-two exchange with Sandra Smisek. Krahn added another five minutes later, knocking in a corner kick with her right hip.

North Korea missed back-to-back scoring opportunities in the middle of the second half. Three Koreans got feet to ball in front of the German goal in the 64th minute, but none was able to finish. A minute later, goalie Nadine Angerer dived spectacularly to save a hard shot.

North Korea is Asia's top team and was considered a dark horse to make it to the finals. They were playing in the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time, after making first-round exits in 1999 and 2003.

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