USL at the Women’s World Cup >>
Monday, September 17, 2007
England and Germany became the first two teams to move on to the Quarterfinal round of the 2007 Women’s World Cup in China, posting victories on the first day of the final set of group play games Monday.
Group A: England 6 :: 1 Argentina
England advanced from group play for the second time in their Women’s World Cup history (1995) with a decisive 6-1 win over Argentina, a long-time rival on the men’s side, in their first-ever meeting. Former W-League star Kelly Smith scored twice to move into a tie for the tournament lead in scoring with four goals, pulling level with Marta (Brazil) and Birgit Prinz (Germany). Ottawa’s Faye White (England captain) and former New Jersey Wildcat Rachel Yankey both started and played the entire match.
Smith was busy on the day, establishing positioning on the second goal when she weaved through the defense before losing posession of the ball, which found its way to Jill Scott, who blasted it in from outside the box. She set up the third strike as well with a penatrating run before being brought down by Catalina Perez for a penalty kick converted by Fara Williams in the 51st. Four minutes after Argentina's free kick goal on the hour mark, England were back to three goals ahead as Smith grabbed her third goal of the tournament. Yankey drove into the area and delivered a perfect cut-back for Smith to side foot home. Smith added her fourth of the tournament from the corner of the six in the 77th.
England Full Report [+] FIFA Full Report [+]
Group A: Germany 2 :: 0 Japan
Germany advanced from group play in a winner take all match-up against a game Japanese squad that came in with a win over Argentina and draw against England. Star striker Birgit Prinz gave the Germans a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute with her fourth goal of the tournament, becoming the all-time leader Women’s World Cup scoring with 13. She surpassed Michelle Akers of the United States. Renate Lingor secured the victory with a penalty three minutes from time. Former W-Leaguer Homare Sawa was in midfield for Japan.
FIFA Full Report [+]
Quarterfinals: Germany won Group A with a record of 2-0-1 and will face the second-place finisher in Group B (United States, Sweden or North Korea) with England (1-0-2) taking on the winner of Group B.
