United States under-20s win 2012 Women’s World Cup

TOKYO, Japan – The United States defeated defending champion Germany 1-0 on Saturday to win the 2012 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Tokyo, Japan.

Kealia Ohai scored a 44th-minute goal to end Germany’s record shutout streak en route to the USA’s third World Cup crown in this tournament’s history. The U.S. won the first-ever U-19 World Cup Final against Canada in 2002 and captured the 2008 U-20 World Cup against Korea DPR.

Ohai’s game-winning goal was created by U.S. right back Crystal Dunn who maneuvered down the right flank before getting past Germany’s Annabel Jaeger and providing a low searching pass into the middle of the box. The ball initially looked like it could fall to the USA’s Katie Stengel, but it got past her and Ohai converged to calmly convert with her strike to the upper left corner of the goal

That goal put an end to Germany’s record shutout streak at 610 minutes and it was the first goal Germany conceded during the 2012 FIFA World Cup.

The U.S., which had lost 3-0 to Germany during the group stage of this year’s tournament, put together a strong defensive effort during Saturday’s rematch. Led by captain Julie Johnston and goalkeeper Bryane Heaberlin, the stout USA defense confidently shut out a strong German squad.

Heaberlin had a game-high five saves, most of which came in the closing minutes. Among some of Germany’s last-minute chances, Heaberlin had a lunging save to her right against Lina Magull in the 89th minute and stopped Leonie Maier’s deep strike that was bending toward the upper right corner.

Additional Notes:

• During FIFA’s post-game ceremony on Saturday, USA defender Julie Johnston was awarded the Bronze Ball for being voted the third most outstanding player in the tournament. Germany’s Dzsenifer Marozsan was the Golden Ball winner.
• U.S. U-20 WNT head coach Steve Swanson made one change to the starting lineup from the 11 that started the quarterfinal and semifinal, inserting forward Katie Stengel at center forward in place of Kelly Cobb.
• Maya Hayes made her team-leading 43rd career U-20 appearance on Saturday.
• Five U.S. players scored in the U-20 Women’s World Cup: Hayes (4), Kealia Ohai (2), Vanessa DiBernardo (1), Chioma Ubogagu (1) and Morgan Brian (1).
• Earlier in the day, host Japan defeated Nigeria 2-1 to win the third-place match with Asuka Nishikawa’s 50th-minute goal proving to be the game-winner.
• The 2012 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup begins in two weeks in Azerbaijan and the USA will face France, Gambia and Korea DPR in Group B play.

– U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team Match Report –

Match: United States U-20 Women’s National Team vs. Germany
Date: Sept. 8, 2012
Competition: 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup; Final
Venue: Tokyo National Stadium; Tokyo, Japan
Kickoff: 6:20 a.m. ET (7:20 p.m. local)
Attendance: 31,114
Weather: 80 degrees, hot and humid

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 0 1
GER 0 0 0

USA – Kealia Ohai (Crystal Dunn) 44th minute

Lineups:
USA: 1-Bryane Heaberlin; 4-Crystal Dunn, 8-Julie Johnston (capt.), 3-Cari Roccaro, 2-Mollie Pathman; 16-Sarah Killion (14-Mandy Laddish, 89), 10-Vanessa DiBernardo, 6-Morgan Brian; 7-Kealia Ohai, 12-Katie Stengel (9-Chioma Ubogagu, 60), 5-Maya Hayes (13-Samantha Mewis, 68)
Subs not used: 11-Becca Wann, 15-Kassey Kallman, 17-Taylor Schram, 18-Abby Smith, 19-Stephanie Amack, 20-Kelly Cobb, 21-Jami Kranich
Head Coach: Steve Swanson

GER: 1-Laura Benkarth; 2-Leonie Maier, 4-Jennifer Cramer, 5-Luisa Wensing, 6-Kathrin Hendrich (20-Lina Magull, 66); 7-Annabel Jaeger, 8-Melanie Leupolz (18-Silvana Chojnowski, 78); 16-Anja Hegenauer (3-Carolin Simon, 59), 10-Ramona Petzelberger (capt.), 11-Lena Lotzen; 14-Dzsenifer Marozsan
Subs not used: 9-Nicole Rolser, 12-Meike Kaemper, 13-Sophie Howard, 15-Karoline Heinze, 17-Katharina Leiding, 19-Marie Pyko, 21-Anke Preub
Head Coach: Maren Meinert

Stats Summary: USA / GER
Shots: 9 / 17
Shots on Goal: 4 / 5
Saves: 5 / 3
Corner Kicks: 6 / 12
Fouls: 5 / 6
Offside: 2 / 2

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
Referee: Pernilla Larsson (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Maria Sukenikova (SVK)
Assistant Referee 2: Sanja Rodak (CRO)
Fourth Official: Nami Sato (JPN)