After more than a year spent recovering from a ruptured cruciate ligament, Svenja Huth is returning to the women’s national team. The 23-year-old European champion will join Germany as they contest their final two World Cup qualifiers against Russia in Moscow on 13 September (live on ARD from 14:45 CET) and against Ireland in Heidenheim on 17 September (live on ARD from 18:00 CET).
Meanwhile, long-term absentees Lena Lotzen, Saskia Bartusiak and Leonie Maier and the injured Nadine Keßler, Alexandra Popp and Bianca Schmidt will not be among the 21-strong squad, while Lira Alushi is suspended for the match against Russia.
Neid: The reverse fixture against Russia means nothing
Germany’s women currently lead World Cup Qualifying Group 1 with a five-point lead over second-placed Russia and need just one more point from their remaining two matches to qualify directly for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 in Canada. The team defeated the Russians 9-0 in the reverse fixture in Cottbus almost a year ago.
"We must not make the mistake of believing that the result from the reverse fixture means anything now," Silvia Neid warned. "Everything just clicked for us that day and the momentum from our European Championship victory whipped us up into a real frenzy. On home soil the Russians will once again do everything they can to make the most of their last chance to qualify directly for the World Cup," she continued. "Over the last few months they’ve shown the kind of quality they have."
Germany then face Ireland in Heidenheim four days later, having narrowly beaten them 3-2 in the reverse fixture in Dublin with Melanie Leupolz only netting the winner in the final minute. "This match showed how important it is to go into each and every game with total concentration and commitment," Neid recalled. "We’re aware of Ireland’s strengths and will prepare intensively to ensure this match goes our way too."
After more than a year spent recovering from a ruptured cruciate ligament, Svenja Huth is returning to the women’s national team. The 23-year-old European champion will join Germany as they contest their final two World Cup qualifiers against Russia in Moscow on 13 September (live on ARD from 14:45 CET) and against Ireland in Heidenheim on 17 September (live on ARD from 18:00 CET).
Meanwhile, long-term absentees Lena Lotzen, Saskia Bartusiak and Leonie Maier and the injured Nadine Keßler, Alexandra Popp and Bianca Schmidt will not be among the 21-strong squad, while Lira Alushi is suspended for the match against Russia.
Neid: The reverse fixture against Russia means nothing
Germany’s women currently lead World Cup Qualifying Group 1 with a five-point lead over second-placed Russia and need just one more point from their remaining two matches to qualify directly for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 in Canada. The team defeated the Russians 9-0 in the reverse fixture in Cottbus almost a year ago.
"We must not make the mistake of believing that the result from the reverse fixture means anything now," Silvia Neid warned. "Everything just clicked for us that day and the momentum from our European Championship victory whipped us up into a real frenzy. On home soil the Russians will once again do everything they can to make the most of their last chance to qualify directly for the World Cup," she continued. "Over the last few months they’ve shown the kind of quality they have."
Germany then face Ireland in Heidenheim four days later, having narrowly beaten them 3-2 in the reverse fixture in Dublin with Melanie Leupolz only netting the winner in the final minute. "This match showed how important it is to go into each and every game with total concentration and commitment," Neid recalled. "We’re aware of Ireland’s strengths and will prepare intensively to ensure this match goes our way too."
