U.S. under-19 women

Rodriguez, Rapinoe score for 2-0 decision over Australia in world quarterfinals.

CHIANG MAI, Thailand (Sunday, November 21, 2004) -- Second-half goals by striker Amy Rodriguez and and midfielder Megan Rapinoe, plus a stifling defense that did not allow a shot on goal, led the United States to a 2-0 victory over Australia in the quarterfinals of the Under-19 Women's World Championship before 8,280 at 700th Anniversary Stadium tonight.

The defending champion U.S. advanced to a semifinal meeting Wednesday with Germany in Bangkok.

In the other quarterfinal matches, Germany's Anja Mittag scored to tie Nigeria at 1-1 with just five minutes left. The teams played 30 minutes of scoreless overtime before Germany won on penalty kicks 5-4, with Mittag nailing the clinching shot.

Brazil had an even wilder ride, falling behind underdog Russia twice before tying the game 2-2 on literally the last kick of the game in the 94th minute when Cristiane scored a header off a corner kick. Brazil, which will face China in the other semifinal, won 4-2 with two goals in overtime.

China prevailed 3-1 over Canada, the runnerup of the inaugural under-19 world championship two years ago. Canada's goalkeeper Stacey Van Boxmeer was ejected just one minute into the match for a foul in the penalty area. China's Zhang Ying converted the penalty kick and her side never trailed.

Both U.S. goals tonight were the result of long drives. In the 54th minute, defender Stephanie Lopez carried through the Australian defense and slammed a 30-yard blast off the chest of goalkeeper Alison Logue. Rodriguez was first to the rebound and slotted home her second goal of the tournament to make it 1-0.

"I knew that shot was going to go in or hit off the goalie or the post, so I knew I should try to follow it up," Rodriguez said. "It happened so quick, I was just thinking keep it low because you see people hit those over all the time."

In the 68th minute, Rapinoe took a pass from Lopez on the left side and carried into the middle. When no defender closed her off, Lopez struck a wicked swerving shot from 28 yards out that had Logue leaning to her right before it whipped past her left arm and into the net for a 2-0 lead. It was Rapinoe's second goal of the event.

"I wasn't going to shoot. I kept trying to bait them because I saw Wozzy (Angela Woznuk) on my right," Rapinoe said. "I saw a girl front of me and I kept trying get her to step to me for about 10 yards so I could play Wozzy, but she never stepped up and it was a wide open shot."

The U.S. was playing on two days rest compared to four for Australia. The Americans dominated the tempo of the game, outshooting the Young Matildas 12-4, 5-0 on frame.

The Australians repeatedly dropped players back to assist their back four, limiting the U.S. scoring chances.

"I thought that Australia did a great job of minimizing our chances. They were very organized and disciplined," Krikorian said. "At halftime, I reminded our team that we needed to make sure to be tight in our defending and not push too many players forward and give them space for the counter, and I think we did that. We also knew that sooner or later we would get a couple chances and that it was important that when that chance came to finish it, and we did that."

Rapinoe, the attacking midfielder, provided most of the Americans' early danger, creating three chances in the opening 18 minutes. First, she leapt to get her head on a corner kick from Lopez, but drilled it over the crossbar. Later, Rapinoe struck a dangerous shot that skidded past the left post from 22 yards. Soon after, she forced Logue into a diving save, slipping two defenders before firing a shot from 20 yards.

Australia did not produce a dangerous chance until the 30th minute when a long cross brushed off the head of Leena Khamis and wide of the left post. Without making a save, U.S. keeper Ashlyn Harris recorded her third shutout of the tournament.

U.S. coach Mark Krikorian sent on Woznuk to be the playmaker at halftime, moving Rapinoe to forward, and Woznuk made the Americans more dangerous with her darting runs and pinpoint passes.

Australia had one chance in the second half when a cross from the left side nearly found the foot of the sliding Catherine Cannuli in the 84th minute. However, the Canadians seldom challenged the U.S. back line of Rachel Buehler, Becky Sauerbrunn, Megan Holmes and Lopez.

Referee: Mayumi Oiwa (Japan). Assistant referees: Fu Hongjue (China), Saori Takahashi (Japan) Attendance: 8,280 at 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Weather: Cloudy, cool, 77 degrees.