Neid names strong German World Cup squad

BERLIN: Silvia Neid has included 18 European champions in her 23-strong squad for next month’s Women’s World Cup in Canada as Germany bid to secure a third world title in 12 years.
Neid will rely on the bulk of the squad which won the European Championships two years ago when Germany — who were crowned world champions in 2003 and 2007 — kick off their campaign in Group B on June 7 against the Ivory Coast, before facing Norway on June 11 and Thailand on June 15.
With 119 caps to her name, striker Anja Mittag, who scored the winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Norway in the 2013 European championship final, is named amongst the forwards alongside Celia Sasic, who has notched 57 goals in 103 appearances for Germany.
Neid says competition was fierce for places as she had to cut three names from her initial squad during Germany’s Swiss training camp.
“We have built-up a good impression of the squad in the last few weeks, it was a close call at the end of the day,” said the 51-year-old.
In her final tournament before stepping down, Neid is without injured 2014 world female footballer of the year Nadine Kessler while Paris Saint-Germain winger Fatmire Alushi sits out as she is expecting her first child.
Neid has promoted 19-year-old Pauline Bremer and Lena Petermann, 21, from the junior Germany team.