Germany snatches Olympic bronze medal

Shinobu Ohno of Japan is challenged by Babett Peter of Germany. (Photo Credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 21) -- Germany snatched the Olympic Women's Football bronze medal by beating Japan 2-0 in the bronze medal match at the Workers' Stadium tonight in Beijing. Both goals were scored by second-half substitute Fatmire Bajramaj in the 69th and 87th minutes.

Germany didn't look like the two-time World Cup champion and a strong medal contender at the beginning of the game, since most of the early attacking was done by Japan. If it were not for the efforts of Germany's goal keeper Nadine Angerer, the team could have conceded goals in the first half.

Thirteen minutes into the first half, Ohno Shinobu wasted a good scoring chance, failing to connect to the cross by Kinga Yukari inside the penalty area, allowing the goal keeper to dive and save at her feet.

In the 21st minute, Angerer warded off a long-range shot from Kinga Yukari. And only one minute later, she again denied a shot from Sawa Homare.

Few opportunities were created by either of the team in the last 15 minutes of the first half, as both were competing for possession in the midfield.

Japan carried on with its attack with the opening of the second half, but couldn't penetrate Germany's defense. At the other end of the pitch, Japanese defenders were very successful with their offside trap, as many of Germany's attacks were flagged offside.

Although Germany was not in clear advantage, it scored the opening goal. 21 minutes into the second half, Kerstin Garefrekes's towering header was parried out by Angerer, but the ball went into the path of Bajramaj, who quickly collected the ball and fired it into the top right corner of the net.

Germany began to get into its stride with the opening goal. Kerstin Garefrekes's header in the 78th minute almost widened Germany's lead, but the ball whistled just over the bar.

With thirteen minutes of regular time to go, Bajramaj scored again to seal the victory for the team. Conny Pohlers delivered a well-placed cross in front of the face of Japan's goal, allowing the unmarked Bajramaj to carve into the box from the left edge, and slot home from a tight angle.

As the reigning world champion, it is Germany's third consecutive bronze medals in the Olympic tournament. The first two were claimed in the Athens 2004 and Sydney 2000.