World Cup
July 1, 2011
Germany's women's soccer team progressed to the quarterfinals of the World Cup on Thursday, thanks to a 1-0 win over Nigeria. Despite the win, the brutal nature of the exchange left a bitter taste with the players and the crowd in a sold-out Frankfurt Arena.
Midfielder Simone Laudehr put the Germans ahead after 54 minutes, with a much-needed goal to break the heavy and scrappy deadlock of the first half.
Nigeria played aggressively and defensively in the first half, ensuring possession was evenly distributed between the two sides. Although Germany won the ball in midfield, they failed to feed it though to their forwards. The strikers, in turn, were struggling to stay on their feet as they faced a barrage of heavy tackles from the Super Falcons.
One tackle took out Germany's powerful midfielder Melanie Behringer, who limped off after 30 minutes with suspected torn ankle ligaments.
Germany's best chance in the early stages of the game came from some quick thinking by Celia Okoyino da Mbabi - scorer of the second goal in Germany's opener against Canada. Da Mbabi picked the ball up on the edge of the box to score from a one-on-one position with the keeper, only to be judged offside by the lineswoman.
Second half revival
A deflated and bruised Germany entered the dressing rooms at the break, and coach Silvia Neid was keen to make changes in the second half.
Neid brought off celebrated striker Birgit Prinz in the 50th minute, replacing her with Inka Grings. A furious Prinz looked less than happy to be substituted, although she has not netted a goal for Germany since November.
Just a few minutes after the substitution, Germany got the break they needed. A free kick rebounded off the Nigerian defense only to be followed up with Laudehr's strike.
With a one goal cushion, Germany then seemed to relax into the game, with the rest of the second half played in a slightly less confrontational style to the first.
As the final whistle blew, an exhausted and miserable German team gathered to thank the crowd for their support in getting them through to the quarterfinals.
Neid on the defensive
In post-match interviews Neid lashed out at the refereeing. "Due to the number of fouls we never quite found ourselves in the game," Neid said. "But we're happy we're through one round further."
She also defended her substitution of star Prinz. "A few minutes after the substitution we went one goal up, and that was the idea," she told broadcaster ARD.
Goal-scorer Laudehr said despite the "aggressive" tactics of the Nigerians, the German side "made life difficult for themselves."
"We held on to the ball too long," she said.
In Thursday's other Group A game, France thrashed Canada 4-0 to put them at the top of the group. France and Germany are now guaranteed places in the quarter finals and their meeting on 5 July will determine who finishes as group winners, and runners up.
Author: Catherine Bolsover
Editor: Joanna Impey