SHANGHAI, Sept 30 (Reuters) - A solid defence and clinical efficiency in front of goal allowed Germany to triumph 2-0 over Brazil to become the first back-to-back winners of the women's World Cup on Sunday./news/story?id=468383&cc=
German midfielder Simone Laudehr's headed goal in the dying
minutes sealed the win, after captain Birgit Prinz had coolly
slotted home early in the second half.
"The whole team played very well and I am very proud,"
German coach Silvia Neid said.
"We had an aim before the game that everybody should work
their way back to defence as much as possible. We had 21 to 0
goals in the tournament, and that's pretty good," Neid said.
German keeper Nadine Angerer made several extraordinary
saves in the second half to maintain her clean sheet for the
tournament.
Despite dominating possession, Brazil's talent-studded
attack failed to breach the German defence, with breathtaking
runs from Daniela and tournament top-scorer Marta repeatedly cut
off at the last moment.
Where lesser teams would have wilted, the Germans absorbed
the pressure, bided their time and scored when it counted.
The Brazilians, playing in their first final, were left to
regret a number of missed chances, chief amongst them a penalty
brilliantly parried by Angerer.
Trailing 1-0 in the second half, Cristiane was brought down
in the penalty area, leaving Marta to take the spot kick. The
21-year-old FIFA 2006 player of the year aimed left and low but
Angerer lunged to save.
Brazilian coach Jorge Barcellos said he was "very sad," at
the result, but happy the team had played its best.
"We created a lot of chances today, but we just missed them.
The Germans scored after their first real chance. (They) were
better at finishing."
Germany's win follows their 2003 triumph over Sweden in Los
Angeles.
Earlier, two-time World Cup winner United States trounced
Norway 4-1 in the third-place playoff, scoring two second-half
goals in two minutes to bury the 1995 champions.
Abby Wambach scored two in the first half, showing great
finesse with a deft flick that beat wrong-footed keeper Bente
Nordby and opened the American scoring after 30 minutes.
Lori Chalupny and Heather O'Reilly scored second half goals
to put the result beyond doubt, before forward Ragnhild
Gulbrandsen got a consolation goal for Norway with a fine
arching header at 63 minutes.
