American Women Reach Semis
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TIANJIN, China_ Second-half goals by Abby Wambach, Shannon Boxx and Kristine Lilly put America into the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup with a 3-0 victory today over England.
Three goals in 12 minutes broke open a tight game and the top-ranked Americans improved to 51-0 in the last three years. It left England winless against America in 19 years as the Americans seek their third World Cup title.
America will face the winner of tomorrow’s quarterfinal between heavily favored Brazil and Australia. That match will be Thursday in Hangzhou with the final on September 30 in Shanghai.
In today’s other semifinal in central Wuhan, Germany defeated North Korea 3-0 and will play either Norway or China in the semifinals.
Ms. Wambach banged in a header in the 48th, directing home a corner from Lilly before a small crowd of about 18,000 at 60,000-seat Olympic Center Stadium in the northern industrial city of 10 million. It was her fourth of the tournament, tying her for the scoring lead.
Midfielder Ms. Boxx made it 2-0 in the 57th. She stripped a ball near midfield from England’s Jill Scott and scored on a long-range shot, the ball going in off the fingertips of surprised England keeper Rachel Brown.
In the 60th, American captain Lilly finally broke through with her first goal of this tournament — and her eighth in World Cup play. A long ball from across midfield bounced high and fooled Brown, who went far out from the net. She leaped and could only tip it, with Lilly running in behind to knock it home.
Although England had more possession time and frustrated the United States with its pressing defense in the first half, it failed to muster any serious chances with Karen Carney, Kelly Smith and Eniola Aluko trying to organize most of the offense.
America struggled early in the match, similar to the first three games — a 2-2 draw against North Korea and narrow wins over Sweden and Nigeria.
Unable to manage long possessions, the Americans were most threatening on set plays.
America its seeking its third World Cup to go with titles in ’91 and ’99. The Americans have never failed to reach the semifinals. Four years ago they lost to eventual champions Germany 3-0.
England was making only its second appearance in the World Cup quarterfinals and was more lightly regarded than at least two of the American opponents in group play — North Korea and Sweden.
