World Cup champion Germany will meet on Tuesday Asian powerhouse the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the final match of Group F in the women's soccer tournament of the Beijing Olympic Games, co-hosted by north China's port city of Tianjin.
The winner of the match will secure a place in the quarterfinals while the loser still has a chance to advance as one of the best two third-place teams.
"It'll be a tough match, they are a disciplined team, who are quick and strong," said Germany head coach Silvia Neid. "We're almost ready for the game. We need another half day to regain our strength, and I have a good feeling about this game."
Neid said: "Women's soccer has been developing very fast, so many teams improved along with this development."
"More teams can be counted as world class. You could see it in our game against Nigeria. In the past it was easy but this time it was decided by better fitness. Those who want to win a medal have to do hard work," captain Kerstin Stegemann said.
The Germans, which drew 0-0 with Brazil and edged Nigeria 1-0 in the first two matches, have never won an Olympic gold medal in women's soccer. They won the bronze twice, at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004.
In addition to winning the last two World Cups, Germany is the defending European champion. The Germans did not allow a goal in six matches on its way to win the FIFA World Cup in 2007.
On the DPRK side, they edged African champions Nigeria 1-0 in their opener, but conceded a 2-1 loss to World Cup runners-up Brazil last Saturday following errors by under-pressure goalkeeper Jon Myong-Hui.
"We had some problems in training and will take responsibility. The match didn't go as we planned," head coach Kim Pong Il said.
Looking ahead to the game against Germany, he said: "Every team has a plan for their opponent. We also have (a) plan. But a game is a game and so we will see."
Spearheaded by veteran captain Ri Kum-Suk, the DPRK is famous for its fighting spirit.
Kim Pong Il said: "We tell our players that a match doesn't stop until the final whistle. No team gives up before the game finishes."
In June, the DPRK recaptured the Asian Cup title they lost to China four year ago. They also broke into the quarter-finals of last year's FIFA World Cup.
(Xinhua News Agency August 11,2008)