By AFP
WINNIPEG
Germany and Norway advanced with wins
to the last 16 of the Women's World Cup on Monday
as a draw was enough to see hosts Canada and China through.
to the last 16 of the Women's World Cup on Monday
as a draw was enough to see hosts Canada and China through.
Favourites Germany beat Thailand 4-0 to progress as
Group B leaders ahead of Norway who secured their
berth by beating Ivory Coast 3-1.
Group B leaders ahead of Norway who secured their
berth by beating Ivory Coast 3-1.
Canada were held 1-1 by the Netherlands but it was
enough to top Group A ahead of China who were
held 2-2 in their fiery do-or-die clash against New Zealand.
enough to top Group A ahead of China who were
held 2-2 in their fiery do-or-die clash against New Zealand.
The four join champions Japan and Brazil, the 2007 runners-up,
who are already through to the knockout rounds with a game to
spare.
who are already through to the knockout rounds with a game to
spare.
Germany came up against stiff resistance from the 29th-ranked
Asians in Winnipeg, before Melanie Leupolz broke through after
24 minutes.
Asians in Winnipeg, before Melanie Leupolz broke through after
24 minutes.
And two quick-fire headers from second-half substitute
Lena Petermann on 56 and 58 minutes got the world's
top ranked team into their stride.
Lena Petermann on 56 and 58 minutes got the world's
top ranked team into their stride.
The damage could have been worse but for solid goalkeeping
from Thailand's Waraporn Boonsing before Sara Daebritz got
a fourth for the 2003 and 2007 winners on 73 minutes.
from Thailand's Waraporn Boonsing before Sara Daebritz got
a fourth for the 2003 and 2007 winners on 73 minutes.
"It wasn't our best match but it gives us a bit more self confidence,
" said Germany's Leupolz.
" said Germany's Leupolz.
Germany have seven points from three games, equal with Norway,
but ahead on goal difference largely thanks to their 10-0
hammering of Ivory Coast in their opener.
but ahead on goal difference largely thanks to their 10-0
hammering of Ivory Coast in their opener.
Thailand, in third with three points, could still advance as one of
the four best third-place finishers, but fellow newcomers Ivory
Coast head home after three loses with three goals scored to
16 conceded.
the four best third-place finishers, but fellow newcomers Ivory
Coast head home after three loses with three goals scored to
16 conceded.
Germany next play the best third-placed finisher from
Group A, C, or D in Ottawa on Saturday, as Norway play
the second-placed finisher from Group F, which includes
France, England, Colombia and Mexico, next Monday.
Group A, C, or D in Ottawa on Saturday, as Norway play
the second-placed finisher from Group F, which includes
France, England, Colombia and Mexico, next Monday.
"We still have a chance to go through to the next round.
We have some hope," said Thailand coach Nuengruethai
Sathongwien.
We have some hope," said Thailand coach Nuengruethai
Sathongwien.
CANADA ON A ROLL
In Moncton, an Ada Hegerberg double on six and 62 minutes,
and a third from Solveig Gulbrandsen on 67 gave 1995 winners
Norway all three points against Ivory Coast.
and a third from Solveig Gulbrandsen on 67 gave 1995 winners
Norway all three points against Ivory Coast.
Ange N'Guessan got one back for the 67th-ranked Ivory
Coast after 71 minutes.
Coast after 71 minutes.
Canada were held 1-1 by the Netherlands in Montreal after
Ashley Lawrence's early goal was cancelled out by a Kirsten
Van De Ven equaliser three minutes from time.
Ashley Lawrence's early goal was cancelled out by a Kirsten
Van De Ven equaliser three minutes from time.
The hosts have five points from three games and as
Group A winners next meet the best third-place finisher
from Group C, D, or E in Vancouver on Sunday.
Group A winners next meet the best third-place finisher
from Group C, D, or E in Vancouver on Sunday.
"This team needs to keep on a roll," said Canada
coach John Herdman.
coach John Herdman.
"We wanted to win the group because we wanted
to go back to BC (Vancouver) and give the fans
what they've been waiting for."
to go back to BC (Vancouver) and give the fans
what they've been waiting for."
China battled to a 2-2 draw against New Zealand
as tempers flared in Winnipeg Stadium.
as tempers flared in Winnipeg Stadium.
Chinese coach Hao Wei was send to the stands
late for hampering Ria Percival's bid to take a
quick thrown in and New Zealand boss
Tony Readings refused to shake his hand
after the game.
late for hampering Ria Percival's bid to take a
quick thrown in and New Zealand boss
Tony Readings refused to shake his hand
after the game.
A point was good enough for the Chinese, runners-up
in 1999, to advance but dumped New Zealand out of
the tournament once again in the group stage.
in 1999, to advance but dumped New Zealand out of
the tournament once again in the group stage.
Rebekah Stott scored first for New Zealand from a corner
after 28 minutes, and four minutes before the break Wang
Lisi equalised from the penalty spot.
after 28 minutes, and four minutes before the break Wang
Lisi equalised from the penalty spot.
China pulled ahead with 30 minutes left when Wang
Shan-shan headed in. But the advantage lasted only
four minutes when Hannah Wilkinson headed past Wang Fei.
Shan-shan headed in. But the advantage lasted only
four minutes when Hannah Wilkinson headed past Wang Fei.
The tournament continues on Tuesday with all to play
for in Group D where the United States take on Nigeria and
Australia are up against Sweden. In Group C Japan tackle
Ecuador and Switzerland face Cameroon.
for in Group D where the United States take on Nigeria and
Australia are up against Sweden. In Group C Japan tackle
Ecuador and Switzerland face Cameroon.