Womens 2007 World Cup; match 25

Quarter Finals, 22/9/07 in Wuhan.

Germany v. North Korea

Germany: N.Angerer, K.Stegemann, A.Krahn, A.Hingst, L.Bresonik (S.Minnert 77), S.Laudehr, S.Smisek (M.Mueller 74), R.Lingor, K.Garefrekes, B.Prinz, M.Behringer.

North Korea: M.H.Jon, J.R.Om, H.O.Kong, M.G.Hong (P.S.Jong 74), K.S.Sonu, J.S.Song, U.G.Ri, S.H.Kil, Y.A.Kim (K.H.Kim 50), K.S.Ri, U.S.Ri.

Germany went into this quarter final tie as strong favourites despite North Korea's excellent form in the group stage and the early play suggested the form book was going to prove reliable.

Germany started with purpose and power and had the Koreans on the defensive for most of the opening ten minutes or so. This pressure realised no clear cut chances, however, with Melanie Behringer shooting wide from 25 yards following good play by Renate Lingor being their best effort.

Suddenly Korea came forward and almost stunned the Germans by snatching the lead. U.G.Ri threw herself at a dangerous ball into the box but was foiled by Nadine Angerer's block. When a German defender then went to launch the loose ball clear Y.A.Kim made a blocking challenge and the ball rebounded inches wide of a gaping goal.

This attack boosted the Koreans who proceeded to enjoy a good spell and their attacking play was more controlled and constructive than the Germans' who relied more on long balls forward.

Birgit Prinz was presented with possession by a stray pass and strode forward with menace before driving over the bar but the Koreans remained unfazed. S.H.Kil skipped round Linda Bresonik to shoot over from the angle and Y.A.Kim forced Angerer to save although there was little difficulty for the keeper.

Finally Germany produced a move of real quality with Bresonik sending Behringer away down the left for a cross that Sandra Smisek met with a diving header but could only find the side netting.

Bresonik then put over a telling centre herself and Prinz would have been disappointed to head wide when unchallenged.

Having more than matched Germany throughout the first period it was galling for the Koreans to concede on the stroke of half time. Smisek played a neat ball into Kerstin Garefrekes who set off towards goal. Forcing her way into the area the German forward enjoyed a lucky rebound in a challenge but made the most of it with a measured finish just inside the far post.

Korea introduced K.H.Kim early in the second half and she made an impact with some determined runs down the right flank. The sub also tried her luck with a dipping shot from distance but the effort was always too high.

Korea were now applying real pressure in search of an equaliser but they lacked conviction in front of goal and also had no luck.

K.S.Ri should have scored when sent clear through the middle but not only did an offside flag go up incorrectly but the striker lost her nerve as Angerer advanced and ended up going to ground as she missed her kick and was trampled on and kneed in the head by the dangerously aggressive German keeper.

Angerer had already Schumachered a Japanese forward and would be involved in two more unpleasant incidents before this game was out. In only one of these four incidents could the German keeper be definitely cleared of any intent.

M.H.Jon almost got her side into trouble when she advanced right to the edge of her box to punch clear and only sent the ball to Lingor some 30 yards from goal. Lingor drove in a ferocious shot that was brilliantly headed clear by K.S.Sonu.

Behringer then tested the Korean keeper with a delicate chip when a corner came straight back out to her but Jon saved at full stretch.

U.G.Ri was played in behind the German defence but chose to pass back into the area from the angle of the six yard box and two more Koreans passed on the responsibility before the ball finally bobbled out of play for a goal kick.

U.G.Ri did pull the trigger when a cross was pulled back towards her in the centre of the box, however, and it took a superb diving save from Angerer to keep Germany level.

The value of this save was highlighted when Germany then went forward to score a second goal just a minute later. Lingor played a one two with Garefrekes before producing a clinical finish into the wall of the net.

There seemed little prospect of the Koreans pulling two goals back and the game was well and truly put to bed when the Germans scored again four minutes later. Behringer whipped in a corner that Annike Krahn deflected goalwards with her thigh and the ball found the net after M.H.Jon's fingertip touch defeated the defender covering on the line.

K.S.Ri nodded a left wing centre wide for Korea nad Martina Mueller came even closer at the other end with a lunging header from a deep centre.

Korea continued to push for the goal they certainly deserved but still could not find the finishing touch. P.S.Jong actually got round Angerer but could not find the net from a very tight angle, K.S.Ri saw an instinctive effort just miss the post and then the same player could only manage a faint touch right in front of goal following a fine right wing cross.

The final scoreline did no justice whatsoever to a gallant and skillful Korean performance but there was no denying that Germany's extra firepower made theirs a merited victory.

Full Time: Germany 3 North Korea 0