MOSCOW, Sep 27 (SW) - Germany won Wednesday's match against Russia by a narrow one-goal difference in Moscow after going into the break with a 3-0 lead. Despite the Russians closing the gap by two goals, he result means Germany qualifies for the World Cup in China.

In group 4 the number one and two in the qualifying phase for the World Cup 2007 met, with leaders Germany being the favourites as attested by the 5-1 victory in the home game.

In front of 200 spectators, Germany and Russia both started the game playing tightly. Russia kept up with the German pace for the first ten minutes in what seemed to be an equal match.

Things changed soon after the first chance from the German side. Right winger Kerstin Garefrekes used her pace past a Russian defender in the 12th minute and sent a nice cross to Sandra Smisek, who headed the ball just wide of post. It seemed to give the Germans more courage as they created two more chances. Conny Pohlers couldn’t find the net though.

Germany scored the first goal after 30 minutes. Kerstin Stegemann, who joined the German attack several times, sent a pass from the backline to Smisek who found the net with a low strike: 0-1.

After the goal Germany pushed the Russian players further back, which immediately resulted in the 0-2. Stegemann sent a cross from the right side four minutes after the first goal. Russian keeper Pigaleva tried to catch it, but had to let go with Garefrekes on hand to play the ball in the empty net.

Birgit Prinz scpred a beauty in injury time. With a short turn in the box, she found the high corner with the inside of her foot. It’s the 99th Germany goal for Prinz, and Germany went into the break with a comfortable lead.

In the second half Germany forgot to finish the game altogether. Prinz and Wimbersky both had big chances, but it was Russia that made the goals in the second half. In both the 85th and 90th minutes both Russian strikers score one goal, Natalia Barbachina (after a huge mistake of Ariana Hingst) and Olga Kremlova.

Russia tried to make the 3-3 in the dying minutes, but failed. Even with favourites Germany winning, they showed that their prime weakness was their defence.

Russia – Germany 2-3 (0-3)

Attendance: 200
Goals: 32. Sandra Smisek 0-1, 36. Kerstin Garefrekes 0-2, 45. Birgit Prinz 0-3, 85. Natalia Barbachina 1-3, 90. Olga Kremleva 2-3