Germany coach Neid cautious of World Cup rivals

Head coach Silvia Neid said Tuesday Germany’s women can afford to take nothing for granted when they defend their World Cup title on home soil in 2011, despite being handed a relatively easy draw.

Germany will face France, Nigeria and Canada in Group A of the 2011 Women’s World Cup which starts at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on June 26 when the hosts face Canada.

“We are very pleased with the group,” Neid told German daily Bild after the draw in Frankfurt.

“But you certainly can not say that we are already in the quarterfinals.

“Under no circumstances will we take our opponents lightly.” Having beaten Canada 5-0 in Dresden in September and Nigeria 8-0 in Leverkusen just last week, Germany captain Brigit Prinz said the goal is to defend the title they won four years ago in China at all costs. “Both Canada and Nigeria can be difficult opponents and we can’t take anything for granted against them,” said Frankfurt forward.

AFP