Germany

5-1

England

Stegemann 28, Smisek 36, Prinz 66, Muller 75, de Mbabi 86

 

Scott 26

Women's International Friendly
4.15pm (GMT), Wednesday 25 October 2006
Waldstadion, Aalen

England received a short sharp shock after the joy of qualifying for the World Cup as they found themselves on the end of a heavy defeat to the reigning World and European Champions Germany.

Although the scoreline was a little unfair on the Three Lions, it goes to show just how difficult it will be in China when they will be taking on the best teams in the world.

Germany are deserved World Champions and few would contest their status in the game, and tonight they showed all their class with Birgit Prinz in particularly buoyant form up front.

England's unbeaten run of eleven games, stretching back to June 2005, has come to an end but if they learn from their opponents tonight and come back stronger over the next few months then it can only help them when arrive in China next September.

Rachel Yankey had the first effort on goal inside 60 seconds, in space on the left flank and found by Fara Williams, the Arsenal winger's effort sailed narrowly over the bar.

Prinz then went close moments later when Sandra Smisek crossed dangerously from the right hand side, only for Rachel Brown to deny the birthday girl with a firm punch.

Alex Scott gave the Three Lions the lead after 26 minutes with a superbly guided finish to lob the ball over the onrushing Ulrike Schmetz and into the empty net. From Jody Handley's through ball, the German keeper came out of her goal very early and the full back showed great composure to lift the ball from 30 yards into the goal.

The true mark of World and European Champions is to hit back quickly and Silvia Neid's side were in no mood to be behind for long.

From a free kick on the edge of the area which Prinz both won and took, the ball rebounded high off the head of Fara Williams and looped out to Kerstin Stegemann. The right back hit a true volley into the bottom corner and levelled the scores within two minutes of the Scott's opener.

Germany continued to press forward with power and pace and took the lead eight minutes later through Smisek who reacted quickest in a goalmouth scramble. Prinz was at the heart of the attack once again as she pulled the ball back from the left hand touchline and Rachel Brown bravely dived at the feet of Kerstin Garefrekes to prevent a simple tap in.

Unfortunately for Brown the ball rebounded straight to the feet of Smisek who guided the ball into the net despite the efforts of captain Mary Philip to deny the goal.

While England had played some fine football in periods during the first period, few could deny the home side their lead at the break after their sustained attacking play.

The second period saw England force themselves into the contest through some assured build up and considered through balls, and Rachel Yankey in particular had three chances to level the scores.

It was therefore unfortunate that they conceded a further goal shortly after the hour mark to give the Germany skipper her wish of her 100th goal for her country on the occasion of her 29th birthday.

It was a typically clinical finish from the record-breaking striker, who drilled the ball past substitute keeper Siobhan Chamberlain and in off the far post with her left foot.

Germany added two late goals through Martina Muller's spectacular overhead kick and da Mbabi's low drive, although the scoreline was not a fair reflection of the play in the match - what it demonstrated however was the level that England will need to strive for in order to make an impact at next September's World Cup.

Teams:

Germany: 1 Ulrike Schmetz, 2 Kerstin Stegemann (Babett Peter 73), 5 Annike Krahn, 6 Britta Carlson (Celia Okiyino da Mbabi 45), 7 Isabell Bachor (Petr Wimbersky 45), 8 Sandra Smisek, 9 Birgit Prinz (Conny Pohlers 84), 10 Renate Lingor (Martina Muller 68), 13 Sandra Minnert (Bianca Rech 84), 17 Ariane Hingst, 18 Kerstin Garefrekes

Subs: 12 Ursula, 3 Bianca Rech, 4 Babett Peter, 11 Martina Muller, 14 Celia Okiyino da Mbabi, 15 Petra Wimbersky, 16 Conny Pohlers

England: 1 Rachel Brown (Siobhan Chamberlain 56), 2 Alex Scott, 3 Casey Stoney, 4 Fara Williams (Eniola Aluko 77), 5 Anita Asante, 6 Mary Philip (c), 7 Karen Carney (Lindsay Johnson 45), 8 Vicky Exley, 9 Jody Handley, 10 Kelly Smith (Jill Scott 61), 11 Rachel Yankey (Sue Smith 68)

Subs: 13 Siobhan Chamberlain, 12 Eniola Aluko, 14 Amanda Barr, 15 Laura Bassett, 16 Stephanie Houghton, 17 Lindsay Johnson, 18 Lianne Sanderson, 19 Jill Scott, 20 Sue Smith

Att: 11,161