U20s begin World Cup with 3-1 win over Venezuela

Germany’s U20 women’s were able to celebrate a successful start to their World Cup campaign in Papua New Guinea. In the capital city of Port Moresby, Maren Meiner’s team overcame Venezuela 3-1. The national team have made a good start towards qualification for the quarter-finals with three points and a convincing performance.

”It was a tough game and just what we expected,” explain Meinert. “We’ve got off to a dream start, but we could have done a bit more. Nevertheless, we are really happy with the win and I am too.

Madeline set the defending champions on their way to victory after just two minutes. Germany then lost their way for a short period and conceded a 26th minute equaliser to Mariana Speckmaier. Gier then scored again (45’) top restore Germany’s lead, before Lea Schüller (51’) added a third. The margin of victory could have been even bigger, had Meinert’s side made us of some clear-cut chances in the closing stages of the game.

Germany’s second group game is on Thursday (07:00 CET) against Mexico, before their final group fixture against South Korea next Monday (10:00 CET).

Lightning start through Gier

In 31 degrees heat at Papua New Guinea’s national stadium, the national team wanted to “be alert right from the start,” as captain Rebecca Knaak explained and she kept her promise. It took just two minutes for Gier to find the back of the net. Following the early goal, Germany dominated proceedings from the beginning and hemmed the World Cup debutants from South America inside their half. Meinert’s side missed good chances to extend their lead, however. Referee Finau Vulivuli also ignored appeals for a handball in the Venezuelan box (12’).

After a quarter of an hour, The Venezuelans then began to assert themselves in the game, putting pressure on the Germans in their own half, but without creating any clear opportunities to score. Speckmaier’s equaliser therefore came as bit of a surprise, with Pia-Sophie Wolter a touch too late in her efforts to prevent the goal. After that, the Germans looked to be more engaged and launched more attacks on the Venezuelan goal.

However, shortly before half time things started to happen. Germany initially benefited from some good luck when Idalys Perez hit the post from 15 yards out (42’). Three minutes later, a Laura Freigang free-kick went just wide of the goal. But in the same minute, Madeline Gier slotted home deflected cross into the box from Anna Gerhardt, to restore Germany’s lead going into the break.

Schüller seals victory

After the break, Germany continued to be positive and extended their lead soon after. Lea Schüller latched on to a long ball from the Germany half and fired a low shot from 25 yards past Franyely Rodriguez in the Venezuelan goal (51’). The U20s then controlled the game following the third goal and came close to scoring to a fourth.

Despite the opening win, there was some bad news for the women’s side. Schüller injured herself in a one-on-one opportunity and had to be substituted soon after. “We are worried that Lea has a bad knee injury. It definitely puts a dampener on the victory,” said Meinert. Stefanie Antonia Sanders replaced Schüller (71’) and had chances herself to extend Germany’s lead. However, the game finished 3-1 and with it Germany secured three points and a good start to their defence of the World Cup trophy.