World champions Germany beats Japan 2-0 to clinch the bronze medal at the Olympic women's soccer tournament on Thursday. [Xinhua]

Substitute Fatmire Bajramaj scored a brace to steer world champions Germany for a 2-0 victory over Japan to clinch the bronze medal at the Olympic women's soccer tournament on Thursday.

Bajramaj opened the scoring in the 69th minute, when she smashed in a rebounder from zero-angle after Kerstin Garefrekes's header was blocked by keeper Miho Fukumoto.

The substitute midfielder then netted home with her right foot inside the box after Garefrekes rounded a defender before cutting a sharp cross from the right to be missed by Fukumoto.

"She (Bajramaj) is a very creative player, and she put all her emotion and action into play. The two goals are really important for us. I'm happy to win a bronze to add to Germany's medal table," said Germany coach Silvia Neid.

"All players have done their best, everyone worked hard to win. I feel sorry for the result, but we will go back with pride," said Japan manager Norio Sasaki.

Japan made fierce attacks from the beginning and took advantage over the World Cup champions in the first half.

Striker Shinobu Ohno curved a nice shot from the edge of the box, which flew over the bar in the 13th minute.

Set-pieces specialist Aya Miyama and defender Kyoko Yano came close on 21 minutes with two powerful long-range shots, which were saved by a focused keeper Nadine Angerer. Play maker Homare Sawa missed a threatening volley inside the box one minute later.

"We did not play slowly in the first half. We didn't have good forward play, but I'm satisfied with the defence," added Neid.

"I think we played better in the 1st half. However, we relaxed and failed to play out when Germans play a low key in the first half and started to get more aggressive in the 2nd half," said Sasaki.

Germany rallied after the break and pressured the Japaneses with their speed and physical advantage. Garefrekes had a head over the bar on 78 minutes.

Japan's best second-half chance came in the 52nd mintue, but Sawa's nice drive was blocked again by Angerer.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2008)