Sweden defeat Australia at Women’s World Cup

Defending champions Germany knocked out of football event.

AUGSBURG:

Sweden outclassed Australia 3-1 to book a semi-final clash with Japan in the Women’s World Cup.

Therese Sjogran and Lisa Dahlkvist gave the Swedes an early lead in their quarter-final tie, before Ellyse Perry got one back five minutes before the break. Lotta Schelin sealed the win after 52 minutes.

Sjogran got them off the mark after 11 minutes after a Schelin cross. Dahlkvist then found the net with a 16-minute header for her third goal in four World Cup matches.

20-year-old Perry then picked up a corner to rifle in a curling effort outside the box to leave Hedvig Lindahl with no chance. However, Schelin gave the Australians a mountain to climb after rounding the goal-keeper and slotting into an empty goal.

On Saturday, Japan knocked defending champions Germany out of the tournament, beating the hosts 1-0 after extra-time to advance to their first semi-finals along with France, who needed a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout to get past England.

Japan’s winning goal in Wolfsburg came in the 108th minute when substitute Karina Maruyama drilled past Germany goal-keeper Nadine Angerer.

In the other match, France dominated England for most of the quarter-final in Leverkusen. Jill Scott put England ahead after 59 minutes before Elise Bussaglia equalised with two minutes to go taking the match into extra-time.

After extra-time failed to settle the game, the match was decided after a penalty shootout. Camille Abily missed France’s first penalty but Claire Rafferty and Faye White then failed to net England’s last two to send Les Bleus through to a final-four showdown.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2011.