World and European champion Germany was held to a scoreless draw
by England in a tough match in Group A of the FIFA Women's World
Cup at the Shanghai Hongkou Stadium here Friday night.
After the day's actions in the group, Germany so far has gained
four points from one win and one draw, while Japan, who beat
Argentina 1-0 earlier Friday, also has collected four points.
England, with two points from two draws, ranks third. The South
American champion Argentina, with two defeats, has been virtually
knocked out of the running.
Germany will face Japan next Monday in Hangzhou, while England
will challenge Argentina in Chengdu also on Monday.
Germany, hot favorite to the tournament, seemed not as strong as
they showed last Monday when they hammered Argentina 11-0 in the
opening game of the tournament.
The two European teams played fast pace throughout, attacking
and shoveling toughly in front of 28,000 packed yelling fans.
Germany attacked many times but all their efforts were denied by
England's defenders.
In the fifth minute, Germany's Annike Krahn launched the game's
first shot, but her header went wide.
In the next minute, Germany almost lost a goal when goalkeeper
Nadine Angerer failed to reach a return ball, which rolled inches
from the post.
England, which drew with Japan 2-2 Tuesday, got a shooting
chance in the 36th minute. Fara Willias blasted a massive free kick
40 meters away but the shot was grasped by Angerer.
The next 10 minutes saw the Germans attack ruthlessly. Kerstin
Garefrekes almost scored in the penalty zone in the 43th minute,
and one minute later, a shot in a goalmouth melee was seized by the
England's goalkeeper.
Germany got three yellow cards to England's two. The Germans
shot 15 times and seven corners while England shot seven times and
only took one corner.
(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2007)