Women’s World Cup: Canada, Germany, Norway and China advance to last-16

The four join Japan and Brazil, who are already through to knock-out rounds

WINNIPEG: Germany and Norway advanced with wins to the last-16 of the Women’s World Cup on Monday as a draw was enough to see hosts Canada and China through.

Favourites Germany beat Thailand 4-0 to progress as Group B leaders ahead of Norway who secured their berth by beating Ivory Coast 3-1.

Canada were held 1-1 by the Netherlands but it was enough to top Group A ahead of China who were held 2-2 in their fiery do-or-die clash against New Zealand.

The four join champions Japan and Brazil, the 2007 runners-up, who are already through to the knockout rounds with a game to spare.

Germany came up against stiff resistance from the 29th-ranked Asians in Winnipeg, before Melanie Leupolz broke through after 24 minutes.

And two quick-fire headers from second-half substitute Lena Petermann in the 56th and 58th minutes got the world’s top ranked team into their stride.

The damage could have been worse but for solid goalkeeping from Thailand’s Waraporn Boonsing before Sara Daebritz got a fourth for the 2003 and 2007 winners in the 73rd minute.

“It wasn’t our best match but it gives us a bit more self-confidence,” said Germany’s Leupolz.

Germany have seven points from three games, equal with Norway, but are ahead on goal difference thanks largely to their 10-0 hammering of Ivory Coast in their opener.

Thailand, in third with three points, could still advance as one of the four best third-place finishers, but fellow newcomers Ivory Coast head home after three loses with three goals scored to 16 conceded.

In Moncton, an Ada Hegerberg double on six and 62 minutes, and a third from Solveig Gulbrandsen on 67 gave 1995 winners Norway all three points against Ivory Coast.

Meanwhile, Canada were held 1-1 by the Netherlands in Montreal after Ashley Lawrence’s early goal was cancelled out by a Kirsten Van De Ven equaliser three minutes from time.

China battled to a 2-2 draw against New Zealand as tempers flared in Winnipeg Stadium.

Chinese coach Hao Wei was sent to the stands late for hampering Ria Percival’s bid to take a quick throw in and New Zealand boss Tony Readings refused to shake his hand after the game.

A point was good enough for the Chinese, runners-up in 1999, to advance but dumped New Zealand out of the tournament once again in the group stage.

France, England, Colombia chase last-16

France will be bidding to put their shock 2-0 defeat to Colombia behind them and seal a last-16 berth along with their South American rivals and England at the Women’s World Cup on Wednesday.

France take on Mexico in their final group game in Ottawa, while England play Colombia in Montreal.

Brazil, already through to the next round, are also in action as they take on Costa Rica in Group E in Moncton with Spain playing South Korea in Ottawa. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17^th,  2015.

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