Monday 20 August 2012
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Reigning champions Germany have commenced their title defence with a powerhouse 4-0 victory China PR in Hiroshima.
Two goals in each half saw the strong German side cruise past an outclassed China and match the scoreline achieved by Group D rivals USA earlier in the afternoon.
The evening kick-off made for cooler conditions than those experienced by USA and Ghana earlier at the Hiroshima Big Arch.
Germany made the perfect start as Lena Lotzen prodded a loose ball home from close range on three minutes, after a ponderous China defence made a hash of clearing the danger,
With their goal rarely threatened, Germany created a host of chances with Lotzen hitting the crossbar, before ending the half in the same way they started as Anja Hegenauer scored after Dzsenifer Marozsan’s free-kick was blocked.
The second period mirrored the first with Germany dominating, however it took until 16 minutes before time until the two-time champions extended the margin. Yupong Lin turned a Leonie Maier cross into her own net, while Luisa Wensing iced the cake with an injury-time strike.
"It is important to start with a win without conceding a goal," said Germany coach Maren Meinert. "But this means nothing for the tournament. We need three good games to go through. Now we have three points in a very difficult group - thats all."
Hayes stars as USA overpower Ghana 4-0
Monday 20 August 2012
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Two-time winners USA commenced their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Japan 2012 campaign in winning fashion recording a 4-0 victory over Ghana in Hiroshima.
The scoreline was harsh on a stubborn and hard-working Ghana, with the scoreline blown out by a second-half treble from Maya Hayes in hot and humid conditions.
Ghana started strongly and had the first sight of goal only for Florence Dadson to be pushed off her stride by a desperate last-gasp Julie Johnston challenge.
USA, however, went ahead on the 20-minute mark, albeit thanks to an element of luck. Direct from a corner, midfielder Morgan Brian powered an impressive header against the crossbar only for the ball to ricochet home off Ghana defender Linda Addai.
The second period was a different story as USA slowly turned the screws and gained the ascendency with a hat-trick from the impressive Hayes.
The Penn State University student profited from an inch-perfect Kealia Ohai cross soon after the interval to head home, before adding to her tally midway through the second half and then again in the second minute of injury time.
It was a vastly different start to the tournament compared to two years ago for the Stars and Stripes who, on that occasion, drew against Ghana in the opener before being eliminated by Nigeria at the quarter-final stage.
“I could not be happier after this match,” said USA coach Steve Swanson. “We are really happy with the result. Ghana is fast and athletic and played well. We have a great team and put in a good performance.”
Four-star Korea DPR defeat Norway
Monday 20 August 2012
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Korea DPR got off to the best possible start in Group C with a convincing 4-2 win over Norway in Kobe. A first-half brace from Yun Hyon-Hi set the North Koreans on their way in a game played in soaring temperatures at the Kobe Univer Stadium.
The Asians went ahead after 15 minutes when Yun jumped higher than Ida Aardalen to head home Kim Un-Hyang’s cross from the right. Norway levelled eight minutes later when Caroline Hansen’s superb finish from just inside the box gave O Chang-Ran no chance.
Korea DPR made it 2-1 five minutes before the break when Aardalen mistimed her tackle and upended Yun. The striker stepped up to take the resulting spot kick and sent Nora Gjoen the wrong way.
Nine minutes after the interval, Norway were level. The North Korean goalkeeper dwelt too long on the ball and Ada Hegerberg was ready to pounce. She robbed the keeper of possession and converted the simplest of chances.
As the game wore on, the superior physical condition of the North Koreans began to tell and they went ahead in the 72nd minute with a header from substitute Kim Un-Hwa. Kim Su-Gyong made the game safe 13 minutes from time when she applied a sliding finish to Yun Song-Mi’s long ball.
Norway must dust themselves off and bounce back against Canada on Thursday, while Korea DPR take on Argentina.
We played our best, we worked very hard, but still, I think we haven’t reached our best level yet,” said Korea DPR coach Sin Ui Gun.
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