U.S. under-19 women

Germany ends American title defense, winning 3-1 in world semifinal.

BANGKOK, Thailand (Wednesday, November 24, 2004) -- Midfielders Melanie Behringer and Patricia Hanebeck scored in the second half, leading Germany to a 3-1 victory over the United States, dousing the Americans' hopes of defending their Under-19 Women's World Championships title before 10,500 at Supachalasai Stadium tonight.

The U.S. will play Brazil for third place Saturday at Rachamangala Stadium in Bangkok, China, which defeated Brazil 2-0 tonight, meets Germany Saturday to decide the second under-19 women's title.

The Germans created far more problems for the U.S. than any other team in the tournament, but the Americans still managed to limit the dangerous chances. In fact, Germany had rarely crossed midfield with possession before the winning goal came.

It originated from extended possession in midfield and finished when Hanebeck sent a perfect ball into the path of Behringer in the right side of the penalty area. Behringer crushed her first-touch shot into the roof of the net from 10 yards to make it 2-1 in the 69th minute. It was Germany's first shot of the second half.

"I thought in the beginning of the second half, especially in the first 20 minutes or so we were able to develop a very nice rhythm in the game," Krikorian said. "Our movement was good and our defending was nice and solid. But when the Germans were able break us down and create the second goal, it certainly changed the complexion of the game. It seemed that early in the second half the flow of the game was going our direction, but again credit to the German team for being able to defend and limit our chances, get a chance for themselves and score a goal."

Down a goal, U.S. coach Mark Krikorian pushed defender Rachel Buehler into the front line, moving to 3-4-3 formation.

In the 79th minute, the U.S. placed a long free kick into the box, but the Americans plowed into German goalkeeper Tessa Rinkes and a foul was called.

In the 81st minute, Krikorian sent on forward Jessica Rostedt, the team's leading scorer in the tournament with three goals. A minute later, Hanebeck volleyed home a cross from striker Simone Laudehr to increase Germany's advantage to 3-1.

"The German team was much like Australia as they were very organized in the way they defended," Krikorian said. "We knew they were going to try to protect the space behind their back line and that would minimize the amount of room for Rostedt to run. She's more of an active, running player as opposed to a target player and we were hoping that the Germans had fatigued a little bit and her quickness and speed would allow her into the space."

Rodriquez got behind the Germany defense in the waning moments, but her touch was too hard and the ball rolled harmlessly to Rinkes.

"The first 25 minutes of the second half was a good example of us defending in a positive fashion," said Krikorian. "It was aggressive, organized and hard. But again, when the Germans were able to score that second goal, which was a beautiful goal by the way, I think of course we had to take more risk and allow ourselves to be open a little bit. I don't think it matters if you lose 2-1 or 3-1."

Germany took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute on its first shot of the game. Behringer took a left-side corner kick that was cleared back to her on the flank. She served the ball in again, this time on the ground, and it skipped past one teammate to defender Annike Krahn who blasted her shot past U.S. goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris from seven yards.

Krahn gave the goal back five minutes later. U.S. midfielder Sheree Gray carried down the right wing. She beat three players to get into the edge of the penalty area and drove a cross into the middle. Krahn tried to clear the ball, but instead headed it into the left corner of the net for a 1-1 tie.

The U.S. had a golden chance to take a lead in the 34th minute when Rodriguez was fouled 23 yards from the center of Germany's goal. Midfielder Angie Woznuk's direct kick was heading just beneath the crossbar, but Rinkes made a flying save, tipping the ball over the bar.

The U.S. created a dangerous scoring chance in the 59th minute after Amy Rodriguez turned the corner into the left side of the penalty area and cut the ball back. Fellow forward Megan Rapinoe tried to finish the rolling ball, but her shot was stuffed by the scrambling German defense.

For the most part, the U.S. did a fine job on German star striker Anja Mittag, especially Buehler, who greatly limited her touches on the ball.

Neither side threatened the opposing goal often. Germany outshot the U.S. 8-6, 6-4 on frame.

Referee: Anna De Toni (Italy). Assistant referees: Cristina Cini (Italy), Anouk De Jong (Netherlands). Attendance: 10,500 at Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Weather: Cloudy, hazy, 91 degrees.