German Women In Semi Finals

Substitute Anja Mittag scored a late goal as tournament favourites Germany beat North Korea 1-0 to book their place in the Olympic quarter-finals on Tuesday.

The game looked destined for a draw when Birgit Prinz muscled her way past two defenders and fired a powerful drive four minutes from time which keeper Jon Myong Hui could only parry into the path of Mittag, who made no mistake.

With Brazil beating Nigeria 3-1 in the other group game, the two heavyweights sealed their places in the last eight.

North Korea, with three points, still have a chance of progressing with the top two third-placed teams from the three groups.

Despite the Germans fielding a vastly experienced side packed with World Cup stars, the pacy Koreans, who won the Asian Cup ahead of the Olympics, were the better side.

After a turgid opening 10 minutes the Koreans won a freekick 30 yards out with Kim Kyong-Hwa curling the ball round the wall and forcing a spectacular one-handed save from goalkeeper Nadine Angerer.

Angerer was in action again minutes later as the Koreans pressed the attack, punching away a looping cross under pressure.

Germany, who beat Brazil in the World Cup final last year, struggled to get their game together and had to wait till midway through half for their first shot on goal when Prinz's effort was turned around the post.

The Korean defence was rock solid and they went close at the other end again 13 minutes before the break when Kim Yong-Ae chested down a through ball and whipped off a quick shot that whizzed over the woodwork.

Germany's best chance came on the brink of half time when goal-keeper Jon Myong-Hui tipped Simone Laudehr's header onto the bar.

Korean captain Ri Kum-Suk headed wide 10 minutes after the interval but clear cut chances were scant until Mittag pounced to secure all three points.

The German women have a packed trophy cabinet including the past two World Cups and four UEFA women's championships, but they have only two bronze medals from the three Olympic Games where women's football has been contested.