Germany Goalless in China
January 27, 2007
The hosts came out fighting against the world number two in the opening exchanges and then held firm as Germany, with six changes from the side that drew 0-0 against the United States, got into their stride.
Germany missed a good chance six minutes into the second half when Fatmire Bajramaj wasted midfielder Conny Pohlers' pinpoint low cross from the right.
Han Wenxia denied Pohlers another goal-bound drive in the 61st minute when she blocked the close shot inside the box with her legs.
Chances go begging for both sides
China then went close to breaking the deadlock in the 67th minute when forward Liu Sa picked up a fine lobbed pass but facing the outrushing Stephanie Ullrich had her shot parried out.
In other action Sunday England drew 1-1 with the United States. England manager Hope Powell brought on a strong forward line made up of Arsenal's Rachel Yankey and Leeds United's Eniola Aluko, who sat on the bench for their first game against China.
While Yankey, Aluko and midfielder Karen Carney had shots on goal it was the Americans who went ahead after forward Heather O'Reilly headed home midfielder Natasha Kai's right flank cross in the 16th minute.
Right back Alexandra Scott dashed into the box to poke in the equalizer at the far post on 48 minutes, after Yankey fed a clinical low center from the left.
After the break England conjured up several sharp forays down the flanks but the US defense held out for a point.
No goals in clash with United States
In the first round of the tournament, Germany were held to a 0-0 by fierce rivals the United States in the opening game on Friday.
The world's number one ladies team put out a young team, as did their world number two opponents, in the clash in the 80,000-seat Guangdong Olympic Stadium. Both coaches rested half dozen likely starters for the upcoming World Cup in China, which opens on Sept. 10.
Germany was without star forward Birgit Prinz, a three-time FIFA player of the year, as well as a number of automatic choices including Kerstin Garefrekes, Renate Lingor, Steffi Jones and Sandra Minnert, who are either studying or injured.
Neither team made much of an impact and the star players at the end of the goalless draw were probably goalkeepers Silke Rottenberg and Hope Solo, although neither the German or the American had any real saves to make.
America's new hope gets first cap
The game's most notable event came with the inclusion of National Player of the Year Lauren Cheney in the US side. The 19-year-old UCLA graduate made her debut in the absence of fellow strikers Kristine Lilly and Abby Wambach, who are home resting.
American coach Greg Ryan is searching for a third striker for the World Cup and Cheney is a candidate, as are Natasha Kai, Heather O'Reilly and Lindsay Tarpley, all who featured during the game with Germany.
In the other game, China defeated England 2-0 on first half goals by Zhang Ying and Han Duan.
On Tuesday, the US take on the hosts and old rivalries are resumed when England play Germany.