World and European champion Germany was held to a scoreless draw by England in a tough match in Group A of the FIFA Women's World Cup at the Shanghai Hongkou Stadium here Friday night.

 

After the day's actions in the group, Germany so far has gained four points from one win and one draw, while Japan, who beat Argentina 1-0 earlier Friday, also has collected four points.

 

England, with two points from two draws, ranks third. The South American champion Argentina, with two defeats, has been virtually knocked out of the running.

 

Germany will face Japan next Monday in Hangzhou, while England will challenge Argentina in Chengdu also on Monday.

 

Germany, hot favorite to the tournament, seemed not as strong as they showed last Monday when they hammered Argentina 11-0 in the opening game of the tournament.

 

The two European teams played fast pace throughout, attacking and shoveling toughly in front of 28,000 packed yelling fans.

 

Germany attacked many times but all their efforts were denied by England's defenders.

 

In the fifth minute, Germany's Annike Krahn launched the game's first shot, but her header went wide.

 

In the next minute, Germany almost lost a goal when goalkeeper Nadine Angerer failed to reach a return ball, which rolled inches from the post.

 

England, which drew with Japan 2-2 Tuesday, got a shooting chance in the 36th minute. Fara Willias blasted a massive free kick 40 meters away but the shot was grasped by Angerer.

 

The next 10 minutes saw the Germans attack ruthlessly. Kerstin Garefrekes almost scored in the penalty zone in the 43th minute, and one minute later, a shot in a goalmouth melee was seized by the England's goalkeeper.

 

Germany got three yellow cards to England's two. The Germans shot 15 times and seven corners while England shot seven times and only took one corner.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2007)