Germany's Kerstin Garefrekes (Top) heads the ball during the Group A match against Japan at the FIFA 2007 Women's Football World Cup in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province on Sept.17, 2007. [photo: Xinhua]
Defending champions Germany and European new force England on Monday September 17th cruised to the quarter-finals after victories over Japan and Argentina, and German talisman Birgit Prinz scored her record 13th goal to become the top scorer ever in the FIFA Women's World Cup.
In Germany's 2-0 win over Japan, Prinz broke the deadlock in the 21 minute after collecting a corner and fired a powerful shot into the net inside the box. The goal helps Prinz surpass American legend Michelle Akers's 12-goal-record to top the showpiece tournament scoring tally.
Playmaker Renate Lingor converted a 87-minute penalty without problem to seal victory.
Germany topped Group A after the win with seven points, they will meet the second placed team in Group B. Japan had to say goodbye as the third place side with 4 points.
In the other game this evening, England trounced Argentina 6-1 to stamp the second place with five points to advance. Argentina had to fly home with three defeats, conceding 18 times and striking merely one consolation goal.
"The pitch today is much better than in Shanghai. We can play some skillful football with good passing," said Japan coach Hiroshi Ohashi.
"We prepared to get to the quarter-finals, so I'm sorry for the result. But I'm satisfied with the players' performance, we played in our usual way.
"I'm very happy with the result. Our team do good job in defence. We play a very skillful opponent," said Germany coach Silvia Neid.
Japan changed their habitual 4-4-2 formation to 4-5-1, leaving major striker Eriko Arakawa on the bench. But the Germans dominated the first half with obvious advantage. Japan were lucky enough to avoid a big deficit after 45 minutes.
Ohashi brought on Arakawa after the interval, and Japan seemed to get some attacking power. But the poor striker could not continue after fighting for a long pass with German keeper Nadine Angerer in the 61st minute and had to be replaced by Shinobu Ohno.
Then the Nadeshiko lost the attacking gunpowder and withered finally.
