Sweden to vie for World Cup title with Germany

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, October 07, 2003

Sweden to vie for World Cup title with Germany

Sweden edged out Canada 2-1 on Sunday in the women's World Cup semifinals to set up a final duel with European champions Germany, who earlier ousted the United States 3-0.

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Sweden beats Canada 2-1

Two second half goals in seven minutes from Malin Mostroem and substitute Josefine Oeqvist at Portland's PGE Park on Sunday gave Sweden a 2-1 win over Canada and a final berth in the fourth Women's World Cup soccer tournament.

Kara Lang put Canada ahead in the 65th minute but their lead was canceled out by Mostroem and Oeqvist in the 79th and 86th minute respectively.

Sweden will meet European champions Germany in the final next Sunday at the Home Depot Center at Carson, California. Germany shocked defending champions the United States 3-0 in an earlier afternoon match.

Sweden set the attacking tone of the match as their two strikers Victoria Svensson and Hanna Ljungberg were active up front.

Germany dethrones US 3-0

In the 20th minute, Jane Tornqvist rose up to head on the MalinAndersson corner to Ljungberg, who got off a hard shot but it wentstraight at Canadian goalkeeper Taryn Swiatek.

Svensson should have put Sweden up in the 41st minute when Swiatek dropped a Anna Sjoestroem cross right at the Swede's feet,but she touched her shot wide of the open net.

Canada turned around and two minutes later they gave Sweden a fright when Lang banged a shot off the crossbar from a tough angle.

Lang hammered a free kick past Jonsson after Tornqvist knocked down Latham 25 meters from goal. Lang drove the shot towards the post to leave the Sweden 'keeper Caroline Joensson to have no chance in the 65 the minute.

Mostrom finally ended the drought in the 79th minute as she picked up a perfectly placed through ball off a quick re-start by Svensson, and she put the ball into the back of the net for an equalizer.

Sweden pressed forward to find a winner and their hard work paid off when Svensson set up for Oqvist, who was on the field foronly 15 minutes, to blast it home for her first goal in the tournament four minutes from time.

Sweden coach Marika Domanksi-Lyfors said after the match: "We have worked hard for this for many years. We needed to adapt and respond and be our best tonight, and we did it."

Svensson, named Player of the Match, said they are very confident to win the title for the first time. "We have good players all over the field. Germany are a very strong team, but wehave strong defense and I think we have a good chance."

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