Germany’s next group opponent Colombia managed an unchallenged opening victory at the World Cup. The second in the Copa America won 2-0 (2-0) against South Korea with former Frankfurt coach Colin Bell in Sydney, Australia, thanks to high efficiency, and after the DFB women’s success against Morocco (6-0) occupies second place in group H.
Catalina Usme (30′, hand penalty) and Colombia’s only 18-year-old exceptional player Linda Caicedo (39′) scored for the South Americans. On Sunday (11.30 a.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the women’s World Cup and on ARD) the three-time World Cup participant has to play against the German team in what may be the decisive game for group victory.
South Korean Casey Phair wrote World Cup history. At the age of 16 years and 26 days, the daughter of an American father and a Korean mother came on after 78 minutes and became the youngest player at a World Cup. She surpassed the record set by Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Chiejine, who played at the 1999 World Cup aged 16 years and 34 days.
Prior to the tournament, Colombia caused a stir after a friendly against Ireland was abandoned for being too harsh. The team were also physically robust against South Korea, but also benefited from the opponent’s mistakes: Seo-Yeon Shim played the ball clearly with his hand before the penalty kick, while goalkeeper Young-Geul Yoon let the ball slip through Caicedo’s long-range shot.
The technically adept Asians of national coach Bell, who led the women of 1. FFC Frankfurt (today Eintracht) to victory in the Champions League in 2015, played well at the start, but missed a great chance to catch up before the break. After the change of sides, South Korea developed far too little danger.
Turn to the Colombian party: Catalina Usme (2nd from right) has scored : Photo: AP
Philippines surprise New Zealand
Co-hosts New Zealand suffered their first setback. After the 1-0 win at the start against Norway, there was a surprising 0-1 (0-1) defeat against the Philippines on Tuesday. In Wellington, Sarina Bolden scored the only goal in a hard-fought game in the 24th minute. Her header was also the Philippines’ first shot on goal at a World Cup.
At the start of Group A, the Philippines lost 2-0 to the Swiss coached by Inka Grings. Before the last group game against Norway, they can still dream of progressing. New Zealand contests its group final against Switzerland, which is expected to be stronger. It threatens to end in the preliminary round.
Marc Heinrich, Melbourne Published/Updated: Recommendations: 4 Michael Horeni Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 7 Marc Heinrich, Melbourne Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 6
After Bolden’s somewhat flattering lead, New Zealand pressed vehemently for the equaliser, but missed a number of opportunities. Jacqui’s hand was the best in the second half, hitting the inside of the post. Shortly thereafter, their supposed header goal to make it 1-1 was disallowed for offside after a video evidence decision.
