Twice champions Germany slumps out in group stage after South Korea stalemate

BRISBANE – Twice former winners Germany was despatched crashing out within the opening part of the Women’s World Cup for the primary time after being held to a shock 1-1 draw by South Korea of their ultimate Group H match on Thursday.

The Germans, champions in 2003 and 2007 and ranked second on this planet, had wanted a win to make sure of progressing and Morocco’s 1-0 win over Colombia within the different group match in Perth despatched each groups by way of to the final 16.

The Koreans took a shock early lead when Cho So-hyun netted within the sixth minute, whereas Alexandra Popp equalised with a trademark header three minutes earlier than the interval.

However, Germany had been unable to search out the winner wanted to advance.

“It’s obvious this was not ideal, I think we are all aware of that,” stated Popp. “You have seen it and it is really difficult for me right now to give you some indepth analysis.

“During the second half we had been knowledgeable that we would have liked urgently to attain and after that I believe we’ve got proven robust want, the grit to go for objective however one way or the other it simply did not need to go there.”

Casey Phair, who at 16 is the youngest ever player to feature at a Women’s World Cup, almost gave the Koreans the lead but her second minute effort was pushed onto the post by goalkeeper Merle Frohms.

Colin Bell’s side only had to wait four more minutes to strike, however, when Lee Young-ju’s pass from deep split the German defence and the unmarked Cho calmly slotted her first-time shot into the bottom corner.

Germany were frustrated by the hard-pressing Koreans, but in the 42nd minute the former champions levelled as Popp out-jumped the defence to meet Svenja Huth’s right wing cross and loop her header beyond Kim Jung-mi.

Voss-Tecklenburg’s side threw everything forward after the interval, with Popp’s 57th minute header ruled out on review by VAR as the striker strayed offside following a clever flick by Lea Schuller.

The German forward then rattled the crossbar two minutes later with another headed effort and Popp was again denied 16 minutes from time when her bullet-header flew straight into the hands of Kim.

Substitute Sydney Lohmann thumped a pair of efforts just off target deep into almost 16 minutes of added time, but Bell’s side hung on for a point that sent the Germans out.

“That was a powerful efficiency – probably the greatest the ladies have produced since I’ve been in cost,” said Bell. “I’m so pleased with them and the braveness they confirmed.

“Germany are at all times harmful and when Popp equalised I believe everybody would have thought we might crumble within the second half however we dug even deeper.” 

—Reuters