The Germany women’s national team have kicked off their World Cup 2019 qualifying campaign with a comfortable 6-0 win against Slovenia.
The goals for Steffi Jones‘ team were scored by Svenja Huth (14’), Dzsenifer Marozsan (18’), Kathrin Hendrich (35’) and Tabea Kemme (45.+2) before the break. Kemme added her second in the 80th minute, before Kristin Demann wrapped up the victory in the 88th.
The wins sees Germany go second in Group 5, however, as Czech Republic beat Faroe Islands 8-0 on Thursday in their qualifier. “I’m very happy with how my team played," said Jones. “Our goal was create chances with quick link-up play on the weeks. We did that very well for long stretches."
Huth heads in, Marozsan from the spot
The Germany ladies started extremely well in front of 3112 fans at Audi-Sportpark in Ingolstadt, with the first chance arriving as early as the third minute, though Demann’s shot was well held by Slovenia goalkeeper Sonja Cevnik. The visitors defended resolutely early on and it took a 14th minute cross from Carolin Simon to penetrate the back four, with Huth heading the DFB side in front with her first international goal. The second goal followed just four minutes later, when Germany’s Women’s Footballer of the Year Dzsenifer Marozsan converted from the penalty spot
Schult forced off injured
The occasion was marked by the injury to Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schult in the 20th minute, when Slovenia striker Kaja Erzen accidentally stood on her foot in an attempt to win the ball. Schult initially played on, but signalled five minutes later that she needed to come off. Freiburg shot-stopper Laura Benkrath came on to replace her.
Despite the early forced change, Germany extended their lead to 3-0 in the 35th, when 1. FFC Frankfurt’s headed in from Marozsan’s wide free kick. The fourth goal for Germany came in the second minute of injury time, when Kemme latched on to a fine through ball from Sara Däbritz to make it four at the break.
Laudehr wins 100th cap: "A great feeling"
Simone Laudehr, who returned to the starting XI after 13-months out injured, celebrated her 100th international appearance in Ingolstadt. “It’s a great feeling to have played so many times. I have worked towards this for a long time," she said after the match. “I’ve played 100 international games along simde some great players and enjoyed wonderful success." In addition to the 2007 World Cup title, Laudehr won two European Championships (2009 & 2013) and the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Next World Cup qualifier in Czech Republic
Jones’ team began the second half with intensity and allowed their opponents few chances to attack. Though there were several chances to add to the already convincing lead, it took until the final ten minutes for the next goals to arrive: first through Kemme and Demann shortly before the break.
Next up for Germany’s ladies is a trip to Ústí nad Labem on Tuesday, where they face group leaders Czech Republic (17:58).
[mmc/jm]
The Germany women’s national team have kicked off their World Cup 2019 qualifying campaign with a comfortable 6-0 win against Slovenia.
The goals for Steffi Jones‘ team were scored by Svenja Huth (14’), Dzsenifer Marozsan (18’), Kathrin Hendrich (35’) and Tabea Kemme (45.+2) before the break. Kemme added her second in the 80th minute, before Kristin Demann wrapped up the victory in the 88th.
The wins sees Germany go second in Group 5, however, as Czech Republic beat Faroe Islands 8-0 on Thursday in their qualifier. “I’m very happy with how my team played," said Jones. “Our goal was create chances with quick link-up play on the weeks. We did that very well for long stretches."
Huth heads in, Marozsan from the spot
The Germany ladies started extremely well in front of 3112 fans at Audi-Sportpark in Ingolstadt, with the first chance arriving as early as the third minute, though Demann’s shot was well held by Slovenia goalkeeper Sonja Cevnik. The visitors defended resolutely early on and it took a 14th minute cross from Carolin Simon to penetrate the back four, with Huth heading the DFB side in front with her first international goal. The second goal followed just four minutes later, when Germany’s Women’s Footballer of the Year Dzsenifer Marozsan converted from the penalty spot
Schult forced off injured
The occasion was marked by the injury to Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schult in the 20th minute, when Slovenia striker Kaja Erzen accidentally stood on her foot in an attempt to win the ball. Schult initially played on, but signalled five minutes later that she needed to come off. Freiburg shot-stopper Laura Benkrath came on to replace her.
Despite the early forced change, Germany extended their lead to 3-0 in the 35th, when 1. FFC Frankfurt’s headed in from Marozsan’s wide free kick. The fourth goal for Germany came in the second minute of injury time, when Kemme latched on to a fine through ball from Sara Däbritz to make it four at the break.
Laudehr wins 100th cap: "A great feeling"
Simone Laudehr, who returned to the starting XI after 13-months out injured, celebrated her 100th international appearance in Ingolstadt. “It’s a great feeling to have played so many times. I have worked towards this for a long time," she said after the match. “I’ve played 100 international games along simde some great players and enjoyed wonderful success." In addition to the 2007 World Cup title, Laudehr won two European Championships (2009 & 2013) and the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Next World Cup qualifier in Czech Republic
Jones’ team began the second half with intensity and allowed their opponents few chances to attack. Though there were several chances to add to the already convincing lead, it took until the final ten minutes for the next goals to arrive: first through Kemme and Demann shortly before the break.
Next up for Germany’s ladies is a trip to Ústí nad Labem on Tuesday, where they face group leaders Czech Republic (17:58).
