Germany and China booked
the first two spots in the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup on Saturday
as they brushed aside rivals Sweden and Cameroon.
Germany, champions in 2003
and 2007, demolished Sweden 4-1 in Ottawa, while China won 1-0 in Edmonton to
send the last African challenger Cameroon home.
Forwards Celia Sasic and
Anja Mittag both scored their fifth goals of the tournament, with Sasic netting
a double, as the top-ranked Germans closed down their fifth-ranked European
rivals in scorching conditions at Lansdowne Stadium.
Germany coach Silvia Neid
described the victory as "a very important game, maybe a key match"
in the tournament.
"We haven't had games
of this quality in the World Cup apart from Norway," said Neid, whose
group had included minnows Ivory Coast and Thailand.
Germany, who were shocked
in the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup at home, next play either France or
South Korea for a place in the semi-finals.
While Germany and Sweden
battled in temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius, it was raining in
Edmonton, where Wang Shanshan's first half goal was enough for China to set up
a meeting with either the United States or Colombia.
China coach Hao Wei had a
touchline ban and was forced to watch the game from the stands in Edmonton's
Commonwealth Stadium.
But his side closed down
the game early when Wang Shanshan got the opener after 12 minutes when she
picked up pass from Li Dongna who did well to control a Wang Lisi corner.
"Today all the players
were wonderful, they put on a spectacular performance, demonstrating amazing
resilience and bravery," said assistant coach Chang Wei-Wei.
"They fought like
warriors for over 90 minutes. I want to thank them for their hard work."
The defence of the
16th-ranked Chinese was rock solid allowing few chances for 53rd-ranked
Cameroon's energetic forwards.
"The Chinese deserved
their victory we can just say bravo. Their team is very complete," said
Cameroon coach Enow Ngachu, whose side were just the second from Africa to
reach the knockout rounds after Nigeria in 1999.
"They don't score many
goals but they defend very well. We knew that if we conceded a goal it would be
very difficult for us."
China failed to qualify for
the 2011 tournament and the Olympic Games the following year, and midfielder
Ren Guixin, named player of the match, said there was more to come.
"We are in the top
eight now and a huge burden has been lifted off our shoulders, we will become
even more aggressive in our next match," warned Ren.
"The biggest weapon of
the Chinese team is based on strong defence to create more scoring
opportunities."
Despite a spirited
challenge by the 53rd-ranked African side, the 16th-ranked Chinese held on to
make it through to the last eight for the sixth time
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