Women's World Cup semi-final preview: USA v Germany
Tuesday 30 June 2015 11:48, UK
Germany take on the USA in the Women’s World Cup with a place in the final at stake in Montreal on Tuesday.
Both sides came into the tournament among the favourites with Germany top of the world rankings and the USA just behind them in second.
The Stars and Stripes have arguably had a more comfortable route to the last four, particularly in the knockout stages where they have beaten both Colombia and China without conceding a goal.
Indeed, the US have conceded just once in the tournament and that came in the first half of their opening fixture with Australia.
That record will be put to the test against a Germany side who have already plundered 20 goals in Canada. They only just edged through in the quarter-final, however, beating pre-tournament favourites France in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw.
Bayern Munich and Germany full-back Leonie Maier is expecting another tough match but sees it as a rather different hurdle to overcome.
“These are two good teams who never give anything away, and it’s going to be a really tough match,” she said.
“USA are physically and mentally stronger than France, who played a more eye-catching brand of football.”
USA coach Jill Ellis was also complimentary of her side’s opponents and is anticipating an intriguing match-up.
“We’re thrilled to be in the semi-finals and playing a tremendous opponent in Germany, which we haven’t faced in, I think, a couple of years,” Ellis said.
“Obviously they are a terrific team and I think it’s going to be a fantastic match. We’re two great teams worthy of a semi-final match up.”
Such is the magnitude of the contest, striker Alex Morgan believes the game comparable to the final itself.
“We’ve been watching Germany a lot in this tournament knowing that we could very well see them in the semi-final,” she added.
“It’s almost like a final in itself. Germany has had a great run in this tournament and we’ve done pretty well. We have been continuing to get better and better.”
The winner of the first semi-final, which kicks off at midnight on Tuesday/Wednesday morning will face the winner of England v Japan.
Follow our live blog of England v Japan (KO midnight on Wednesday/Thursday morning) at skysports.com or via the Sky Sports apps.
