Norway, Germany into Women's World Cup quarter-finals
Norway joined Germany in the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup after a 4-1 penalty shoot-out win over Australia in Nice, France, yesterday morning (Singapore time).
Norway had taken a first-half lead through Isabell Herlovsen, but Ante Milicic's team forced extra time when Elise Kellond-Knight scored from a corner-kick with seven minutes left.
Australia then had defender Alanna Kennedy sent off in the extra period, but still managed to hang on for the shoot-out, with Samantha Kerr one of two players who missed their spot-kicks.
Said Milicic: "They really did things the hard way and, in the end, we couldn't climb the final hurdle. Once we lost a player, it became difficult.
"It was a pretty even game, but I'm disappointed with the result."
Meanwhile, Germany captain Alexandra Popp hailed a "perfect day" after the 2003 and 2007 winners eased to a 3-0 victory over Nigeria in Grenoble.
Popp, 28, marked her 100th cap by heading in the opener before Sara Daebritz converted a penalty awarded by the VAR and Lea Schueller sealed victory.
Germany will face Sweden or Canada next, while Norway's quarter-final opponents will be either England or Cameroon, who met last night.- AFP
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