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Germany and Brazil fight back, Canada out
Nigeria will feel they were robbed of a semi-final match after going down to Germany 5-4 on penalties after being level 1-1 after extra time.
Nigeria took the game to the fancied Germans and pulled ahead when Nkese Udoh flicked past the keeper on 35 minutes to give the African nation the lead. Surprisingly the germans didn't spark into life until about the 65th minute when Anja Mittag couldn't quite get enough power onto her shot. Mittag however proved later why she's a star of this tornament during a phase that seemed well controlled by Nigeria. Peggy Kuznik sent a long cross in and Mittag volleyed perfectly to level in the 86th minute.
Nigeria could have pulled ahead before the extra time period but the German keeper pulled off two great saves. The extra tiem period didn't see any great football with both sides tired. It came down to penalties and with each side level on 2 Akudo Iwuagwu proved to be the difference when her shot was saved. Germany scored their remaining three to win the contest and book a match against the USA which looks to be a huge highlight of the tornament.
Russia too will feel dejected after collapsing to a 2-4 defeat at the hands of Brazil after leading 2-1 earlier in the match.
It bagen when Ksenia Tsybutovich latched onto a cross to score on 29 minutes for the Russians. Brazil leveled just before the break however when the Brazilian ace, Marta, started sprinting towards goal and finished clinically. Svetlana Tsidikova poked home on 61 minutes to provide a 2-1 lead for Russia in what seemed like a match winning shot. And for the next 33 minutes it seemed like just that. However a 4th minute injury time moment set the trend for the match. Cristine rose up above the pack from a corner kick to shock the Russians and sent the Thai crowd crazy.
The first half of extra time went by without a hitch. it was the second half where it broke down for Russia and sent Brazil through without a worry. With Golden Goal now eliminated from FIFA competition, Brazilian sub Sandra netted on 110 minutes to provide a 3-2 lead for the South Americans. Three minutes later Sandra scored a second and sealed the result. The match ended 4-2 to Brazil earning a shot at China in the semi finals.
Canada were immediatly on the back foot against China when keeper Stacey Van Boxmeer was given her marching orders in just the first minute. Chinese attacker Lou Xiaoxu rounded Van Boxmeer only to be brought down by the keeper. A penalty was given and the Italian referee Anna De Toni had no hesitation in issuing a red card. Stephanie Labbe came on as substitute keeper with Jodi-Ann Robinson the unlucky player to come off. Zhang Ying slotted the spot kick in the third minute. Zhang netted on 21 minutes as well when she placed a free kick perfectly, out of reach of Labbe.
After the break the Canadians seemed to be back on track when Kara Lang's free kick was spilled to Brittany Timko who quickly put the ball back in the net (63rd minute). Liu Sa however regained that two goal advantage two minutes later after Labbe miscued her kick and saw the ball in her net moments later.
China shocked Canada and now move on to play Brazil for a place in the final.
22 November, 2004 |
