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.
The Koreans held World Cup all-time leading scorer Birgit Prinz to a quiet game. She was not able to increase her tally of 13 World Cup goals, and missed her best opportunity at the end of the first half when her leaping header went wide.
Germany still has not allowed a goal in this World Cup, recording its fourth straight shutout.
The final of the 16-team tournament is September 30 in Shanghai.
【体坛英语资讯:Germany beats North Korea 3-0 to advance to semifinals】相关文章:
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Jessica Simpson hawks her line of handbags and shoes
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Katie Holmes runs NYC marathon
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Lindsay Lohan spends 84 minutes in jail
★ 体坛英语资讯:Brazil notice Valencias Diego Alves
★ 体坛资讯:Yi among few global prospects to stay in NBA Draft pool
★ 娱乐英语资讯:K-Feds lawyer wants Spears to pay bill
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Gucci is worlds most wanted brand
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Mel B enlists Posh to design sexy frocks
★ 体坛英语资讯:Peng upsets Mauresmo to reach semis at China Open
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Posh Spice tops Blackwell worst-dressed
最新
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15