Germany scored three goals in a five-minute span of the second half Thursday to rout Russia 7-1 in the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup.
In the day's other match, Canada produced the only goal to defeat China 1-0.
PHOTO: AFP
Canada now faces Sweden in the semifinals tomorrow at Portland's PGE Park, while Germany plays takes on the US in the other semi.
The Germans have outscored their World Cup competition 20-3 while going 4-0.
"The German team is at its best right now," Russian coach Yuri Bystritsky said through an interpreter. "I think the German team has a real opportunity and is capable of winning the title."
Birgit Prinz and Kerstin Garefrekes each scored twice for Germany, which had six second-half goals.
"What I saw on the field was we were able to create many, many chances, and that is important as we go into the next game," German coach Tina Theune-Meyer said.
Germany, ranked third in the world behind the US and China, has never lost to Russia in women's soccer.
Charmaine Hooper scored an early goal to lead Canada over China.
"Four years ago, I would have never imagined us winning a game in the World Cup," said Hooper. "Probably China was under more pressure than us, because nobody expected Canada to win."
Christine Latham challenged Han Wenxia early in the match, but the Chinese goalkeeper made a diving stop at the corner of her goal.
A minute later, Han was unable to stop Hooper's dramatic header into the net as Canada went ahead in the seventh minute.
Sun Wen, who had just one goal in the tournament and needed one more to tie Michelle Akers' World Cup record of 12, missed a shot on Canada goaltender Taryn Swiatek in the 16th minute, jumping up and down in frustration.
"This is a dream come true for me and I think for many other members of our team," Swiatek said. "As for our next match, that's for tomorrow. I'm going to try to enjoy this one now."
Originally scheduled to host this year's World Cup before the SARS virus outbreak, China advanced to the final in 1999 before losing to the host US on penalty kicks.
Sun, who plans to retire at the end of the year, led the 1999 tournament with seven goals and has 106 in her career.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care