Despite a slow start, Germany powered past Norway for a 3-0 win in their semifinal match. In a match that viewers of the Germany-Korea DPR quarterfinal would have found familiar, Norway had much of the early attacking opportunities and were left to rue their missed chances. Late in the first half, Trine RØNNING deflected a Birgit PRINZ cross into her own net. Two more goals, from Kerstin STEGEMANN and Martina MÜLLER, sealed it midway through the second half. Germany await the winner of the other semifinal between the United States and Brazil.

The favourites’ potential opponents may begin quaking in their boots on SAT 22 SEP 2007. more...

The last matches of the Group of Death lived up to their billing on TUE 18 SEP 2007. more...

The Group of Death began to gain clarity on FRI 14 SEP 2007. more...

Three wild draws helped start the tournament on TUE 11 SEP 2007. more...

For the third straight time, the United States, Korea DPR, and Nigeria were all drawn into the same Women's World Cup group. And amazingly, Sweden also landed in Group B to make the exact same list as Group A of the 2003 Women's World Cup. It is the first time in World Cup history, men's or women's, that the same four teams have been in a group together for two consecutive tournaments. Other teams who are already familiar with one another include Germany, Japan, and Argentina, all of whom were together in Group C in 2003; this time they are in Group A. Interestingly, this represents the first Women's World Cup that contains no first time qualifiers. more...

RI Un-Gyong's two goals helped Korea DPR to a 3-0 lead over Japan, and the Koreans held on to win the third place match of the 2006 AFC Asian Women's Cup 3-2 and qualify for China 2007. Next year's hosts then won their eighth Asian championship, defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 final in overtime. The Matildas were up 2-0 at halftime but conceded goals to HAN Duan and to the tournament's most valuable player, MA Xiaoxu. China PR, Australia, and Korea DPR will play in the Women's World Cup, and Japan await CONCACAF's third placed team in the AFC/CONCACAF playoff.

Australia earned a place at the 2007 Women's World Cup as they won 2-0 against Japan in Adelaide, SA. Caitlin MUNOZ and Joanna PETERS each capitalised on defensive mistakes that dropped Japan into the third place playoff against Korea DPR, who fell 1-0 to China PR. After the match, Korean goalkeeper HYE Yong-Han was shown a red card for kicking at Italian referee Anna DE TONI from behind, and teammates SON Kyong-Sun and SONG Jung-Sun were suspended for violent conduct. All three will miss the third place match, from which the winner qualifies and the loser has another chance in the AFC/CONCACAF playoff.

The favourites all survived the group phase of the 2006 AFC Asian Women's Cup in Adelaide, SA, Australia and will now meet with places in China 2007 on the line. more...

Australia were rudely welcomed into the Asian Football Confederation with the draw for the 2006 Asian Women's Championship, which they will host in Adelaide, SA, SUN 16-SUN 30 JUL 2006. The Matildas' opponents in Group B include two teams who also appeared at USA 2003, Korea DPR and Korea Rep; only two teams will earn a place in the semifinals. more...