US women beat Germany 1-0 to win U20 World Cup
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The United States won the women's under-20 World Cup for the third time, defeating defending champion Germany 1-0 Saturday on a goal by Kealia Ohai in the 44th minute.
Crystal Dunn beat a German defender in the penalty area and squared a pass to Ohai, who sent a right-footed shot over goalkeeper Laura Benkarth. It was the first goal Germany gave up in the tournament.
"I saw Crystal making a run and every time she does that you know she is going to get something in the box," Ohai said. "I sprinted as fast as I could and she got the ball to me and I just squared it."
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Earlier Saturday, Japan downed Nigeria 2-1 in the third-place game. Yoko Tanaka and Asuka Nishikawa scored for Japan and Desire Oparanozie had Nigeria's goal.
The U.S. and Germany also met in the group stage, with the Germans winning 3-0 on Aug. 27 in Miyagi. The Americans also captured this tournament in 2002 and 2008. Germany won in 2004 and 2010.
"It was a great performance by our team," U.S. coach Steve Swanson said. "It's a reflection of a lot of people's efforts. We had some adversity in the group stage but the players learned from that and our character showed tonight."
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Germany pressed forward in the second half, but the Americans defended staunchly to protect the lead. Leonie Maier rattled the crossbar in the 72nd minute and came close again with a long shot in the final minute, but U.S. goalkeeper Bryane Heaberlin made a good save.
"Our defense got better and better as the tournament went on," Swanson said. "They deserve a lot of credit, and when I say that I include the goalkeeper. We needed to stay compact. We got a little stretched out against Germany in the first game against them so we knew we needed to be better defensively and that was a key to our winning tonight."
Germany scored 15 goals in the group stage, but couldn't find a way to break through in the final.
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"I don't think beating them 3-0 had any implications for today's match," Germany coach Maren Meinert said. "Playing the United States is always tough. We gave up a goal in the first half and that made it harder for the players to respond and it was a totally different situation than the first time we played them."