Tuesday 4 September 2012
© Getty Images
THE DAY REPLAYED - When the draw for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Japan 2012 was made all eyes were on Group D, where Germany and USA, two of the strongest nations in the women’s game, were pitched together. Confirming their status as favourites, the big two both negotiated their way to the semi-finals before chalking up comprehensive wins on Tuesday to tee up their first meeting in the final of the competition.
Both sides will go in search of their third world title in the age category, the Germans hoping to retain the trophy they won on home soil two years ago. The USA were the first to check into Saturday’s showpiece, scoring a goal in each half to see off Nigeria, while Germany were at their ruthless best against hosts Japan, hitting three early goals to silence a vociferous 28,000 home crowd.
FIFA.com rounds up the highlights of an exciting day of semi-final action at Japan 2012.
Results
Semi-finals
Nigeria 0-2 USA
Japan 0-3 Germany
Goal of the day
Japan 0-1 Germany, Melanie Leupolz 1
Confidence was high among Japan fans going into this game, but it only took the Germans one minute to dent home hopes of victory. Receiving the ball in midfield, Dzsenifer Marozsan shook of the attentions of two opponents with some fancy footwork and played a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Leupolz, stationed on the edge of the area. The midfielder held her nerve to stroke the ball past the advancing Sakiko Ikeda and just inside the post.
Memorable moments
A fine line
Nigeria will look back on two excellent chances that came their way against the USA and ponder the fine line that separates success and failure. Francisca Ordega was the first to go close, lifting the ball coolly over keeper Bryane Heaberlin only to see it drift agonisingly wide. Team-mate Desire Oparanozie then found the back of the net from the edge of the penalty box but had her joy cut short when she was ruled to have been marginally offside.
A unique experience
Tuesday’s first semi-final was a special one for USA’s Chioma Ubogagu, whose grandparents are Nigerian and who regularly goes back to visit them. In an interview on U.S. Soccer’s website, she described what the game meant to her: “It’s definitely unique to get this opportunity as life takes some amazing turns,” said Ubogagu. “Who knows? I maybe could have been playing on that team. I know I’m probably the only on our team who can pronounce all their names.”
Settling old scoresUSA and Germany’s wins were made all the sweeter by the fact they avenged painful defeats to the same opposition at recent tournaments. The Americans atoned for their penalty shoot-out exit to the Nigerians at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010, while the Germans went some way to making up for their quarter-final loss to Japan on home soil in last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Living up to their word
September is Fair Play month in world football and today’s two semi-finals were very much in keeping with the campaign FIFA has been promoting since 1988. Before their matches the captains of all four teams each gave a short address in support of respect and fair play, and posed for photos together. And when the ball got rolling, the four sides lived up to the pledges they had made, with not a single yellow card being shown in 180 minutes of football. Only two previous semi-finals in the competition’s history have been caution-free.
The stat
9 - USA’s win over Nigeria was their ninth consecutive match without defeat against African opposition in a major women’s tournament (FIFA Women’s World Cup, FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament). The Americans have won seven of those games and drawn the other two, one of which nevertheless ended in their elimination from Germany 2010 at the hands of the Nigerians on penalties.
Both sides will go in search of their third world title in the age category, the Germans hoping to retain the trophy they won on home soil two years ago. The USA were the first to check into Saturday’s showpiece, scoring a goal in each half to see off Nigeria, while Germany were at their ruthless best against hosts Japan, hitting three early goals to silence a vociferous 28,000 home crowd.
FIFA.com rounds up the highlights of an exciting day of semi-final action at Japan 2012.
Results
Semi-finals
Nigeria 0-2 USA
Japan 0-3 Germany
Goal of the day
Japan 0-1 Germany, Melanie Leupolz 1
Confidence was high among Japan fans going into this game, but it only took the Germans one minute to dent home hopes of victory. Receiving the ball in midfield, Dzsenifer Marozsan shook of the attentions of two opponents with some fancy footwork and played a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Leupolz, stationed on the edge of the area. The midfielder held her nerve to stroke the ball past the advancing Sakiko Ikeda and just inside the post.
Memorable moments
A fine line
Nigeria will look back on two excellent chances that came their way against the USA and ponder the fine line that separates success and failure. Francisca Ordega was the first to go close, lifting the ball coolly over keeper Bryane Heaberlin only to see it drift agonisingly wide. Team-mate Desire Oparanozie then found the back of the net from the edge of the penalty box but had her joy cut short when she was ruled to have been marginally offside.
A unique experience
Tuesday’s first semi-final was a special one for USA’s Chioma Ubogagu, whose grandparents are Nigerian and who regularly goes back to visit them. In an interview on U.S. Soccer’s website, she described what the game meant to her: “It’s definitely unique to get this opportunity as life takes some amazing turns,” said Ubogagu. “Who knows? I maybe could have been playing on that team. I know I’m probably the only on our team who can pronounce all their names.”
Settling old scoresUSA and Germany’s wins were made all the sweeter by the fact they avenged painful defeats to the same opposition at recent tournaments. The Americans atoned for their penalty shoot-out exit to the Nigerians at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010, while the Germans went some way to making up for their quarter-final loss to Japan on home soil in last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Living up to their word
September is Fair Play month in world football and today’s two semi-finals were very much in keeping with the campaign FIFA has been promoting since 1988. Before their matches the captains of all four teams each gave a short address in support of respect and fair play, and posed for photos together. And when the ball got rolling, the four sides lived up to the pledges they had made, with not a single yellow card being shown in 180 minutes of football. Only two previous semi-finals in the competition’s history have been caution-free.
The stat
9 - USA’s win over Nigeria was their ninth consecutive match without defeat against African opposition in a major women’s tournament (FIFA Women’s World Cup, FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament). The Americans have won seven of those games and drawn the other two, one of which nevertheless ended in their elimination from Germany 2010 at the hands of the Nigerians on penalties.
The words
“The atmosphere in the stadium was amazing. It was a pleasure to play in this stadium today. The fans sang the whole game and supported their teams over the whole 90 minutes. That shows that they know what football is. It was a game between two great football nations. Thanks to the fans.” Maren Meinert, Germany coach
“The atmosphere in the stadium was amazing. It was a pleasure to play in this stadium today. The fans sang the whole game and supported their teams over the whole 90 minutes. That shows that they know what football is. It was a game between two great football nations. Thanks to the fans.” Maren Meinert, Germany coach
The schedule (all times local)
8 September 2012
Third place match Japan v Nigeria, Tokyo, 15.30
Final Germany v USA, Tokyo, 19.20
8 September 2012
Third place match Japan v Nigeria, Tokyo, 15.30
Final Germany v USA, Tokyo, 19.20
Germany halt Japan’s title push
Tuesday 4 September 2012
© Getty Images
The two giants of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will meet in Saturday’s decider after Germany stormed into the final against USA with a stunning 3-0 win against in-form hosts Japan.
The reigning champions were three goals to the good inside the opening 20 minutes, while Japan - playing in their first-ever semi-final - had no answer to the early onslaught.
Germany made a dream start scoring in the opening minute as Dzsenifer Marozsan threaded a perfect pass behind the defence for the onrushing Melanie Leupolz to coolly slot home. At 60 seconds, Leupolz’s goal was the fastest at Japan 2012 and the second-quickest over six editions of the tournament.
The margin was doubled by the 13-minute mark as central defender Shiori Kinoshita misjudged a high ball, allowing Marozsan to slip behind the backline and casually lob exposed Japan goalkeeper Sakiko Ikeda. Incredibly, Germany soon extended their lead as Lena Lotzen found space on a corner to power an unstoppable header into the net for her sixth goal of the tournament.
The home side to their credit soon found their feet and the game settled into a more familiar rhythm, with Japan slowly starting to dominate possession. The hosts started the second half with gusto, seeking to make a quick impression and Asuka Nishikawa came close, only to see her effort blocked.
Leupolz grazed the crossbar at the other end with a sharp drive, while Japan continually tried to increase the pressure, causing the German defence moments of panic on several occasions. Most notably, Hanae Shibata went on a stunning mazy run past several would-be tacklers only to scuff her shot wide.
Substitute Ayaka Michigami saw her shot close range shot blocked by a defender as Japan racked up a lengthy list of agonising near-misses. The hosts will now meet Nigeria in the play-off for third on Saturday before USA and Germany do battle for the title.
“We worked together the whole game,” said Germany coach Maren Meinert. “We knew that Japan has a great team and we tried as much we could. The atmosphere was amazing and the fans supported the team for the whole 90 minutes.”
Japan coach Hiroshi Yoshida said: “At the beginning of the game we made some mistakes and Germany scored. That was really tough and my players lost their confidence. Germany played well but we also had some good moments. My team has lot of potential.”
Nigeria’s ambitions ended as USA reach final
Tuesday 4 September 2012
© Getty Images
USA have won their way into a third FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final with a 2-0 victory over 2010 finalists Nigeria in Tokyo.
Goals midway through either half from Morgan Brian and Kealia Ohai proved enough for the two-time champions to see off the hitherto unbeaten Africans and set up a decider against either holders Germany.
Nigeria made the brighter start as Francisca Ordega latched onto a through ball on seven minutes and beat USA goalkeeper Bryane Heaberlin in a race to the ball, only for her prodded effort to go wide of the post.
Brian scored the all-important opening goal halfway through the first half, perfectly directing a header over goalkeeper Ibubeleye Whyte, following Mollie Pathman’s cross from the left.
USA were in the ascendency after the goal, and created several chances in the closing stages of the half. Cari Roccaro pushed a first-time effort over the crossbar directly from a corner, while Kelly Cobb headed onto the roof of the net.
The half-time came at an opportune time for Nigeria, despite the Africans dominating possession overall during the opening period. Nigeria thought they had drawn level soon into the second half but Desire Oparanozie’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Almost immediately a skilful run from Ngozi Okobi set up Oparanozie for a gilt-edged opportunity to draw level, only for the No9 to blaze over.
However, midway through the second half came a hammer blow for the Nigerians as substitute Samantha Mewis pushed a short defence-splitting pass through for Ohai to get the better of her marker and score.
The Stars and Stripes will now have the opportunity to win their third title in Saturday’s final, following previous U-20 women's triumphs in 2002 and 2008.
"I‘m totally exhausted but really happy," said USA coach Steve Swanson. "It was a tough match, very physical. Nigeria demanded everything from us. The first goal was important.
"The game against Ghana probably helped us. And in my opinion probably we may not have won the quarter-final against Korea DPR if we didn‘t have the tough games in the group stage. My players learnt really quick, learnt the lessons from each game and made it better in the next games."
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