Monday, June 26, 2006

Germany Vs Sweden

Yesss...Germany win again....will go to quarter-finals after two early goals from Lukas Podolski secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sweden. I really surprised that Podolski can scored 2 goal at this match. But, Sweden almost got back on level terms. Ibrahimovic and Larsson is the best player that I can see...they play very skillfull . Anyway...my fav. team, Germany will face Argentina....yeahhh...

The match:
4': Germany were given the perfect start. Miroslav Klose turned cleverly between two defenders inside the box and although goalkeeper Isaksson blocked the initial effort, Podolski followed up to shoot home. 1-0
6': Fired up by the goal, Podolski sent a 25-yard strike inches over as the hosts moved in for an early kill.
8': In a frantic opening, Sweden almost got back on level terms. Larsson turned his man on the edge of the area but could only find the side-netting with his shot.
12': The Swedes were made to pay for that miss. Klose ran across the edge of the box and played a subtle return pass right into the stride of Podolski, who steered his shot home, left-footed, for his second goal of the match. 2-0
18': Germany were looking dangerous on every attack. One one forway forward, Michael Ballack sent a 25-yard strike arrowing towards the corner and Isaksson flung himself across goal to parry away.
31': The shots were raining in on Isaksson's goal and the keeper produced a magnificent save to tip a Klose toe-poke around the post after the Werder Bremen striker had again produced a feint to trick his marker.
33': Torsten Frings, who had scored a wonderful goal in the opening match, had a 35-yarder tipped over. Seconds later, Isaksson was again throwing himself across goal as a cracking drive from Bastian Schweinsteiger whistled past his post.
35': Sweden's faint hopes were weakened further when Lucic was received his second yellow card after holding back the elusive Klose.
40': Jens Lehmann was finally given some work to do, and he did it capably enough, turning Zlatan Ibrahimovic's shot around the post.
43': The Arsenal keeper was then happy to see Philipp Lahm clear the ball after he had collided with Mattias Jonson inside the box. The action soon switched back to the other end, however, where Isaksson was forced to turn Klose's 20-yard shot around the post.
Paying the penalty:
53': Sweden were presented with a glorious opportunity to reduce the arrears when Larsson was fouled in the box after good work down the left from Ibrahimovic. However, the veteran striker blazed his penalty over the bar.
55': Only a fantastic flying save from Isaksson prevented Germany from going three further ahead shortly afterwards. Ballack was again the player involved, buying himself a shooting position with a neat turn before sending in a 25-yard shot that was heading towards goal before Isaksson turned it on to the post.
72': Sweden, though a man short, were trying everything to get back into the match, but without success. Ballack saw another shot from distance just clear the bar.
81': Desperate for a goal, the Chelsea-bound midfielder was left shaking his head again after the outstanding Isaksson saved a 20-yard piledriver, with Klose heading the rebound over.
84': Still Germany kept coming. A fine three-man move ended with Bernd Schneider's shot being deflected onto the post. Next to test Isaksson's reflexes was substitute Oliver Neuville with a snapshot from inside the area.
In conclusion:
Helped by a lightning start, the hosts produced a magnificent display of attacking football to brush past a disappointing Sweden team. Germany looked the more impressive side even when all 22 players were still on the field, but once Lucic departed there was no way back for the Swedes, for whom Larsson's penalty miss merely rubbed salt in the wounds.

2 comments:

I'm a DEUTSCHLAND supporter myself! Obviously, Germany's toughest test is against Argentina. I think Argentina are slight favorites, but fingers crossed for a thrilling match!! :-)

yess...Argentina is the toughest test for Germany....I hope Germany can play better for this match.

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