Germany demonstrate their power during Group B game versus World Cup debutants Ivory Coast
FIFA Women’s World Cup favourites Germany got off to an explosive start against debutants the Ivory Coast in Group B last night. The two time winners only needed three minutes to open the flood gates for goals to start pouring in. Celia Sasic got off the mark on the third minute by placing the ball into an empty net from close range. She doubled her sides lead ten minutes later with a header and from there it was as if the African side couldn’t catch their breath.
Anja Mittag was the next German player to find her way onto the score sheet Before Sasic completed her first-half hat-trick with another shot from close range. Mittag added to her goal tally ten minutes before the break after youngster Tabea Kemme served a cross into the middle of the area for Mittag to blast into the back of the net. It was 5 – 0 to Germany at half time.
It only took. 20 minutes after the break for Mittag to achieve a hat-trick, Simone Laudehr later made it 7-0 and half-time substitute Sara Daebritz made it eight shortly thereafter. The remaining goals were scored by Melanie Behringer and Alexandra Popp in the closing quarter of the game.
Although it was a high scoring game in the German’s favour, the Ivory Coast did manage to get the ball into the German net only for it to be deemed a foul on German goalkeeper and Captain Nadine Angerer. The Germans had almost 30 shots in total versus the 4 shots of the Ivory Coast but it was through the heroics of the Ivory Coast keeper Dominque Thiamale which kept the score from a higher margin.
The game ended 10 – 0 to the Germans, a harsh welcoming and eye opener for the African side in their debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. However spirits remained high within the travelling Ivory Coast fans who continued to sing and dance after the final whistle.
FIFA Women’s World Cup - Group B: Norway 4 – 0 Thailand
Yesterday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup seen Euro 2013 runner up Norway dominate in their opening game of Group B. The Norwegians began their quest for their second FIFA Women’s World Cup title with a 4 – 0 victory versus debutants Thailand.
It was Thailand who had the first opportunity of the day. An explosive run by Kanjana Sung-Ngoen beat the Norwegian defense before releasing a low cross into the six yard box. Unfortunately for Thailand, Silawan Intamee failed to make the contact needed to give their side an early lead. Norway began to dominate possession and it was on the 15th minute when the deadlock was finally broken by Captain Trine Ronning free kick which curled past the Thailand defensive wall and crept inside the post.
Isabell Herlovsen soon doubled the Norweigan’s lead after two goals in quick succession. Her first of the day was on the 29th minute when a number of short link-up passes played her through to the Thailand goal. Herlovsen grabbed a brace just four minutes later with a close range header after an excellent delivery from teammate Solveig Gulbrandsen.
The Norweigan’s were leading 3 – 0 at half time and many fans were anxious of how it might end up with Norway dominating so much possession in the opening half. Youngster Ada Hegerberg scored the final goal of the game midway through the second half from close range after a run down the left flank.
Thailand’s goalkeeper received the biggest cheer of the day from the Canadian crowd in Ottawa with a quarter of an hour remaining; as the goalkeeper saved a penalty taken by Maren Mjelde’s which was awarded for a handball. Thailand finished the game as they started with a last minute effort hitting the cross bar.
