The ManicaPost
Zimbabwe…………………. 1
Germany……………….. (2) 6
THE Mighty Warriors opened their Rio Olympics account with a gallant show albeit for a losing cause on Wednesday night when they fell 6–1 to Germany but could keep their hope for a quarter final place if they get a positive result against Canada tomorrow (Saturday) in their second group encounter at the ongoing 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
There are three groups of four teams at the Rio Olympics where top two teams from every group qualify while two third best placed teams also make it to the quarter finals.
However, in a David vs. Goliath matchup, two-time World Cup winners Germany beat the heavy underdogs of Zimbabwe 6-1 on Wednesday in Sao Paolo.
Zimbabwe attempted to hang with the world heavyweights but Germany dominated and dictated play from the get-go.
The Germans nearly struck in the 6th minute when midfielder Isabel Kerschowski lofted in a cross to Simone Laudehr who’s first time volley struck the outside of the post.
Germany head coach Silvia Neid was forced to make an early substitution in the 19th minute as Laudehr appeared to roll her ankle attempting a cross.
She attempted to shake it off on the sidelines with Germany playing down a player for a couple minutes but she was replaced shortly thereafter by 22-year old Melanie Leupolz.
After a lengthy spell of possession without creating many dangerous scoring opportunities, Germany tallied their first goal in the 22nd minute when a Dzsenifer Marozsan corner kick found the head of midfielder Sara Daebritz.
In the 36th minute, Germany’s aerial ability would prove difficult for the Zimbabwe defense once again. Melanie Leupolz whipped a cross into the box that was perfectly met by forward Alexandra Popp to double the lead for the heavyweights.
On the stroke of halftime, midfielder Melanie Behringer almost made it three goals for the Germans but her left-footed blast from outside the box rang off the post.
In the 50th minute shortly after the halftime break, Zimbabwe would put a scare into the Germans and get on the scoresheet. A Rutendo Makore shot on goal was parried by Almuth Schult to the feet of Kudakwashe Basopo who slammed home the rebound.
However, the one-goal deficit would be short-lived as Melanie Behringer rifled home a free kick in the 53rd minute to give the Germans a 3-1 lead.
As the second half wore on, Germany continued to dominate possession but Zimbabwe held strong. But in the 78th minute, Leupolz was involved in the action again as she was fouled in the box, giving the Germans a penalty kick.
Behringer extended the lead to 4-1 as she volleyed home the rebound after her initial effort was denied by Zimbabwe goalie, Lindiwe Magwede.
Germany would make it 5-1 in the 83rd minute when Leupolz controlled a long pass from inside the box and calmly finished past Magwede. It would ultimately end 6-1 when Eunice Chibanda redirected a ball into her own goal off a cross from German subsitute Lara Goessling.
After this afternoon’s action, Germany sits atop Group F with three points and a +5 goal differential. Canada is in second with three points and +2 goal differential, Australia is 3rd, and Zimbabwe is last with a -5 goal differential.
Germany is next in action on Saturday, August 6th at 6pm vs. Australia while Zimbabwe takes on Canada at 3pm on the same day. Both games will be played at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paolo.
Zimbabwe sent one of their biggest contingents the country has sent to the Olympic Games.
More importantly, Zimbabwe will also be fielding a football team for the first time following the qualification of the Mighty Warriors last year.
The Zimbabwe senior women’s football team were drawn in Group F together with Germany, Australia and Canada, who claimed bronze at the 2012 London Games.
All the teams that the Mighty Warriors face are ranked in the top 10 of the FIFA World Rankings while Shadreck Mlauzi’s side, which sits on number 95, is the lowest ranked of all the 12 participating teams. — Senior Sports Reporter/Online.
