CHRISTCHURCH – USA came from behind to claim a dramatic and deserved 2-1 victory over Germany today at QEII Stadium in Christchurch and have set up an intriguing final with Korea DPR.
In a terrific match that would itself have made a worthy decider, Kazbek Tambi’s side produced their best performance of the tournament to edge out Ralf Peter’s European champions in front of a crowd of 8,040 in New Zealand’s Garden City.
Yet this thrilling semi-final began badly for the Americans, with Alexandra Popp rewarding Germany’s greater early enterprise with a fine headed goal, bulleted home in seven minutes from Dzsenifer Marozsan’s drilled corner.
USA looked to be on the ropes at this stage, but they bounced back to dominate a first half that witnessed both Mewis sisters hit the woodwork; Kristie cracking the post with a left-foot shot and Sam’s looping header being denied by the crossbar.
The reward for their pressure finally came with 63 minutes played, when Germany goalkeeper Anna Sarholz flapped at a deep cross from substitute Erika Tymrak, allowing Vicki Di Martino to preserve her record of scoring in every game in New Zealand by poking home from close range.
Tambi’s side had the bit between their teeth now and, with ten minutes remaining, Courtney Verloo scored a thoroughly merited winner, sweeping the ball into the net from close range after Amber Brooks had hit the bar and Julia Roberts scuffed her attempt to convert the rebound.
German Coach Ralf Peter said USA deserved their win, though his side are bitterly dissapointed.
"We started very well and could have scored a second goal," he said.
"But after 15 minutes, we stopped playing. Against a team like USA, you can’t win if you don’t play at your best level during the whole match.
"They were just better and deserved their victory. After having won the European Championship, we wanted to win the World Cup. Now this dream has gone but there is still bronze to play for, and we’ll fight for that.
USA Coach Kazbek Tambi was full of pride after the final whistle/
"I’m so, so proud of the kids, not only because they’ve won a World Cup semi-final against a great team like Germany, but because of the way they won it," he said.
"We’ve played a great brand of soccer out there. The way they came from behind was the ultimate demonstration of their character and their workrate was incredible too.
"I have players in there cramping up because they’ve left everything out on the field there, and that was exactly what we asked of them."
Photos provided by FIFA Media/ Foto-Net. For more visit www.fifa.com
Germanys Alexandra Popp heading home the opening goal
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008 – Semi Finals
USA (0) 2 (8. Vicki DiMARTINO 63’; 7. Courtney VERLOO 81’)
GERMANY (1) 1 (11. Alexandra POPP 6’)
QE II Stadium
Christchurch
New Zealand
Thursday 13 November 2008
Kick-off: 19h00
Attendance: 8,040
USA: 18. Taylor VANCIL [gk]; 3. Amber BROOKS; 4. Crystal DUNN; 6. Cloee COLOHAN (c); 7. Courtney VERLOO; 8.Vicki DiMARTINO (9. Sam JOHNSON 82’); 10. Kristie MEWIS; 11. Sam MEWIS; 13. Julia ROBERTS, 17. Rachel QUON; 20. Olivia KLEI (5.Erika TYMARK 61’)
Substitutes not used: 1.Alexa GAUL [rgk]; 2. Lexi HARRIS; 12. Hayley BROCK; 14. Mandy LADDISH ;15. Kate BENNETT; 16. Morgan BRIAN; 21.Jenn PETTIGREW [rgk]. 19.Elizabeth EDDY;
Yellow cards: 3. Amber BROOKS 69’;
Red cards: None
Coach: Kazbek TAMBI (USA)
GER: 1. Anna SARHOLZ [gk]; 3. Inka WESLEY, 4. Valeria KLEINER ©, 5. Carolin SIMON, 6. Marie-Louise BAGEHORN (14. Ivana RUDELIC 83’), 7. Turid KNAAK; 8. Lynn MESTER; 9. Tabea KEMME (18. Svenja HUTH 85’); 10.Dzsenifer MAROZSAN; 11.Alexandra POPP; 20. Leonie MAIER;
Substitutes Not Used: 2. Angelina LUEBCKE; 12. Almuth SCHULT [rgk]; 13. Julia DEBITSKI; 21. Lisa SCHMITZ [rgk]; 16. Nicole ROSLER,16.ROLSER; 19. Claudia GOTTE; 17. Isabelle LINDEN; 15. Hasret KAYICKI;
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Coach: Ralf PETER (GER)
Referee: CHA Sung Mi (KOR)
Assistant Referee 1: KIM Kyoung Min (KOR)
Assistant Referee 2: LEE Seul Gi (KOR)
Fourth Official: AVDONCHENKO Natalia (RUS)