Welcome to coverage of hosts Germany's Women's World Cup quarter-final against Japan.

Now Celia Da Mbabi takes a shot across the face of goal but her effort flies wide of the far post.

Kerstin Garefrekes chases down a ball in the left channel and is penalised for a foul on Kinga when attempting to reach around and nick the ball as the Japan defender ushered it out for a goal-kick.

It's a robust contest out there which is good to see. Germany just about edging it so far though.

Mizuho Sakaguchi takes aim from 25 yards but her dipping effort is easily saved by Nadine Angerer.

Both sides have had half chances but nothing very clear cut as yet.

I doubt we will have similar drama to that which greeted us in Leverkusen earlier today as England were eliminated after a penalty shoot-out. You never know though.

An excellent clearance from Yukari Kinga gets Japan out of a tricky situation from a Germany cross.

Kulig's night is over, with Bianca Schmidt taking her place.

Germany team-mate Babett Peter now down following a foul by Kozue Ando, punching the floor.

The midfielder hobbles off gingerly. She may not be able to continue - she consults with the physio.

Kim Kulig rises to meet the set-piece and heads just wide! She stays down.

Corner to Germany, who have the crowd right behind them as they have done all tournament. The competition itself has also been extremely well-supported.

Japan in blue coming under early pressure from the hosts.

This last-eight match gets underway, with Germany in traditional white kicking from right to left.

France reached the semi-finals of the World Cup courtesy of penalty shoot-out victory over England in Leverkusen, with captain Faye White missing the crucial penalty.

Japan: Ayumi Kaihori; Saki Kumagai, Azusa Iwashimizu, Aya Sameshima, Yukari Kinga; Homare Sawa, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Aya Miyama, Shinobu Ohno; Yuki Nagasato, Kozue Ando

Germany: Nadine Angere; Saskia Bartusiak, Annike Krahn, Babett Peter, Linda Bresonik; Kim Kulig, Simone Laudehr, Melanie Behringer, Kerstin Garefrekes; Inka Grings, Celia Okoyino da Mbabi