DFB Women in USA: Second Test, First Defeat

At the end of the year, the DFB Women lost their second friendly in America. The vice European champions were only confirmed in the first round. The game was marred by an injury to Lena Oberdorf.

The German footballers had to concede defeat to the host world champions in the second Test match of their US tour. The European champions lost 2-1 (1-0) to the Americans in Harrison near New York on Sunday evening (11/13/2022/local time), three days after a 2-1 win in Fort Lauderdale.

VfL Wolfsburg’s strongman Jules Brandt scored in the 18th minute in front of 26,317 spectators. Sophia Smith and Mallory Book both turned the game around with their goals (54th/56th) within two minutes.

Lena Oberdorf suffered a shoulder injury

An initially very safe DFB women’s game was marred by an injury to Lena Oberdorf. The very important Wolfsburg defensive midfielder had to be substituted after 33 minutes and received an ice pack on his injured shoulder.

With the exception of four players, Voss-Decklenburg changed their starting XI to limit the load. So goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger made her fourth international appearance in the first half. After the European Championships in England, the 32-year-old went public with the return of her thyroid cancer. After radioactive iodine treatment, she returned to the pitch at length – and now she is listening to the national anthem with a happy face.

Berger with the fourth international competition

Berger didn’t do much: The Americans (200th cap) had a remarkable first half around Alex Morgan. While VfL Wolfsburg’s first-choice goalkeeper Merle Frohms was rested, Angel City FC’s Almuth Schulte was reportedly between the posts after the break.

After the conversion Bayern professional Lena Magul missed a big chance to make it 2-0. Shortly after, Smith gave Schulte no chance with a shot under the bar. At 1:2, Frankfurt’s Nicole Anyomi and Sjok Nusken didn’t look good. The second round clearly belonged to the Americans.

Schult blocks 1:3

The high tempo took its toll, with the DFB selection waning in concentration and intensity – only to be emboldened by the rabidly cheering hosts. Schulte avoided an even bigger defeat with a strong save against Buck (77th).

For DFB Women, the two friendlies are already in preparation for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20, 2023. There, Germany, Morocco, Colombia and South Korea meet in the preliminary round.

Source: sportschau.de