OTTAWA, June 21:
Germany and China booked the first two spots in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup 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. (Agencies)
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