Germany, USA set up semi-final clash

Germany and the United States, the top two teams in the FIFA rankings, set up a semi-final clash in the Women's World Cup on Friday by beating France and China respectively.

Top-ranked Germany, winners in 2003 and 2007, won a dramatic penalty shoot-out 5-4 to break French hearts after the tie ended 1-1 after 120 minutes in Montreal.

And the second-ranked Americans, champions in 1991 and 1999, overpowered China on front of a crowd of just over 24,000 in Ottawa's Lansdowne Stadium 1-0 thanks to a second half goal from captain Carli Lloyd.

"The confidence was slowly building and I would say that after this game it really really helped us," said Lloyd.

"It was just great, the more pressure we put China under the more they coughed up the ball up.

"We just kept our foot down on the pedal and that was just what we needed

"It's what we needed and we're going to be flying in the next game."

- 'Female Zidane' -

The ease with which the Americans won was in contrast to Germany.

The world's top team struggled against third-ranked France and played 30 minutes extra time and a tense penalty shoot-out on front of an enthusiastic crowd of just under 25,000 in the largely French-speaking city of Montreal.

Louisa Necib, dubbed the "Female Zidane" of the French women's game, could only rue a missed chance to score after just 49 seconds, before she finally nailed the opener on 64 minutes.

"We were better, we dominated and they're going to play the semi-final," said Necib.

"It's always the same feeling when you lose - disappointment."

Celia Sasic levelled for Germany with a penalty six minutes from time, and in extra-time substitute Gaetane Thiney wasted a late chance to put France into the last four for the second straight time.

Germany captain Nadine Angerer was the player of the day as the goalkeeper saved 20-year-old substitute Claire Lavogez's final penalty in the shoot-out.

"We're extremely elated, full of adrenaline right now," said the 36-year-old former world player of the year, who has won titles with Germany in 2003 and 2007.

"It was hard work. We had to fight really hard and we were rewarded."

- 'Flick that switch' -

Germany coach Silvia Neid admitted it was a tough game.

"We had to run after it and France were really ahead of us in the first half. But in the second half we really fought hard.

"Our team has proven their character, they managed to flick that switch in the second half and then to get a penalty shoot-out where you have the goalie who can hold those penalties."

Germany, who were shocked in the quarter-finals of their home tournament in 2011, live to fight for a place in their fifth final next Tuesday in Montreal.

It was the United States' 25 consecutive victory over China, in a repeat of the 1999 final which the US won on penalties, and takes the 2011 runners-up into their seventh straight semi-final in as many editions of the tournament.

Champions Japan, who beat the US in a penalty shoot-out to take the title four years ago, play 10th-ranked Australia in their quarter-final in Edmonton on Saturday, while England tackle hosts Canada in Vancouver.
Source: AFP