| FOOTBALL CAREER OF JURGEN KLINSMANN |
|
|
 |
NEWS of KLINSMANN: 2004 - 2005
12 November 2005
Match Report: France 0 - 0 Germany
Germany held France to a goalless draw in a tense World Cup warm-up played at the Stade de France on Saturday. This draw means Germany are still chasing their first win over top-class international opposition since beating England 1-0 at Wembley more than five years ago.
Klinsmann's comment: "I would obviously have preferred us to win but I'm pleased with our performance ... France have class and can rely on many brilliant individuals. I think we did well by playing aggressively in midfield to stop them from creating too many chances."
The French remained undefeated after 17 games under Raymond Domenech, who took over as coach following their quarter-final exit at Euro 2004.
(Source: Reuters)
* * *
12 October 2005
Match Report: China 0 - 1 Germany
A Torsten Frings penalty early in the second half gave Germany a 1-0 win over China in an uninspiring friendly on Wednesday. Frings converted in the 51st minute for Germany after Bernd Schneider had fallen inside the box under challenge from captain Li Weifeng.
China, who missed out on World Cup qualification, were the better side in the first half but failed to put away two clear chances before the break.
Germany had a good spell after the goal but the game soon slipped back into mediocrity. Without Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose (both suffered from flu), Germany passed the ball around well but looked short of ideas.
(Source: Reuters)
* * *
|
30 June 2005
Klinsmann's comment after the 2005 Confederations Cup
|
|
|
Although Germany could not win the 2005 Confederations Cup on home soil, Klinsmann was satisfied with his players' performance. He commented after the end of the tournament:
"We've grown together as a team during this tournament, and we've drawn valuable conclusions ... Overall, we're hugely satisfied with our performances and the account we've given of ourselves ... We have to remain patient. We're bound to make a few mistakes."
"We have to improve our entire tactical approach when we don't have the ball. We still have a great deal to learn ... But even if we're occasionally taking a step back, we're always taking two steps forward. We still have plenty of work to do, but we're fired up and determined to keep on improving. We want to grow, and we will grow."
(Source: FIFAworldcup.com)
* * *
|
|
29 June 2005
CC05 Match Report: Germany 4(3) - 3(3) Mexico (Third place playoff)
|
|
| Match Summary from FIFAworldcup.com |
|
Hosts Germany secured third place in the FIFA Confederations Cup after a thrilling 4-3 win over Mexico after extra time in Leipzig. Down to ten men after the sending-off of Mike Hanke, it was captain Michael Ballack's beautifully flighted free-kick in the 97th minute which settled the game.
"We're determined to seal third place so the Germans don't forget about us before next year's World Cup," Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe had declared before kick-off. The Mexico coach made two changes to the side which ran Argentina so close in the semi-final, introducing Luis Perez for the suspended Rafael Marquez and replacing Jaime Lozano with Jose Francisco Fonseca up front. Influential midfielder Ramon Morales was deemed fit to start despite a facial injury suffered against Argentina.
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann made a total of four changes. Three were expected: Oliver Kahn took over from Jens Lehmann, Andreas Hinkel replaced injury victim Arne Friedrich, and Bastian Schweinsteiger returned from suspension for Fabian Ernst. The surprise choice saw youngster Mike Hanke replace regular striker Kevin Kuranyi.
The next shock almost arrived after just two minutes as the German defence parted like the Red Sea for Fonseca to burst through only to drive narrowly wide of the upright. Kahn then brilliantly parried Jared Borgetti's tenth-minute effort after Fonseca's superb build-up as the North Americans dictated the early exchanges.
The Germans looked over-eager in their attacking efforts as a disciplined Mexican defensive line stifled Lukas Podolski and company. The hosts' first chance came midway through the half when Schweinsteiger set up Podolski, but the starlet's shot whistled past the post. Hanke tried his luck from long range 60 seconds later, but the thunderbolt shaved keeper Oswaldo Sanchez's crossbar.
The tempo picked up on the half-hour, and Germany took a just-about-deserved 37th-minute lead. Schweinsteiger's cunning back-heel found Podolski on the edge of the box, and the Cologne youngster wasted no time firing home a bullet of a left-foot shot.
However, Mexico raced up the other end and Fonseca levelled on 40 minutes following Zinha's pinpoint angled ball. Just 60 seconds later, Hinkel and Podolski combined superbly for the Stuttgart full-back to lay the ball into Schweinsteiger's path. The Bayern Munich man [Schweinsteiger] slotted home from close range to hand Germany a 2-1 half-time lead.
Lavolpe introduced Juan Pablo Rodriguez in place of Fonseca after half-time, bringing the total of recognised midfielders in the North American team to six as the coach sought a way back via the midfield. However, the balance of the match turned on 54 minutes in a moment of madness from Germany's Hanke, who clattered into Carlos Salcido with the ball long gone, leaving Australian referee Matthew Breeze with no option but to brandish the red card.
Just four minutes later, Luis Perez swung over an inviting cross for Borgetti to net a bullet header from five metres and level the scores. The match now developed a thrilling end-to-end character, accompanied by a deafening wall of noise from the enthralled crowd. Mexico skilfully exploited their one-man advantage to boss the play, but the Germans showed tremendous resolve to hold their lines and even edge back into the lead.
Robert Huth, roundly criticised after a nervous display in the opening match, forced home the loose ball following a Schweinsteiger corner to put his side 3-2 ahead on 79 minutes. However, the hosts' elation turned to despair just six minutes later as Borgetti conjured up another headed equaliser, this time from Pavel Pardo's cross, to send the game into extra time.
Just seven minutes into the extra period, Ricardo Osorio gave away a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box after a foul on Kuranyi, a 74th-minute substitute for Podolski. Ballack, increasingly influential, stepped up to curl the ball over the wall and beyond Sanchez to restore his side's lead. Despite the numerical advantage, Mexico now began to feel the effects of an arduous 120 minutes against Argentina and the hosts had the best of the chances thereafter, but both Kuranyi and Fabian Ernst declined to wrap up the victory.
The Mexicans' sole opportunity fell to Perez two minutes from time, but his effort slid wide as Germany held on.
|
(Source: FIFAworldcup.com)
* * *
|
| Klinsmann's Comment after the Match |
|
"Mexico are number six in the world rankings, they've beaten Brazil, and they came within a whisker of knocking out Argentina. Obviously we were going to show them respect, but we were determined to round off the tournament on a positive note.
We never thought we'd lose, even after going down to ten men. We knew we were physically strong and we'd be able to create chances. The coaching staff are delighted with the way the team's played, and we congratulated them all in the dressing room afterwards.
It's fantastic to see Robert Huth scoring a goal, the icing on the cake of an excellent tournament. We're very pleased at how he's battled his way through the competition, acknowledged his errors and corrected them himself. He's gone from one extreme to the other in the space of a few days. That can only happen in football.
Overall, one fascinating aspect has been the way the team has always been capable of responding after conceding a goal."
|
| Germany's Lineup |
G: Kahn
D: Hinkel, Huth, Mertesacker, Schneider
M: Deisler (Asamoah, 67'), Frings, Ballack (C), Schweinsteiger (Ernst, 83')
F: Hanke, Podolski (Kuranyi, 74')
|
| Goals |
| Podolski | 37' |
| Fonseca | 40' |
| Schweinsteiger | 41' |
| Borgetti | 58' |
| Huth | 79' |
| Borgetti | 85' |
| Ballack | 97' |
| Statistics |
| Team |
Ger |
Mex |
| Score |
4 |
3 |
| Shots (on target) |
28(9) |
12(4) |
| Possession |
46% |
54% |
| Free Kicks |
1 |
0 |
| Corner Kicks |
5 |
5 |
| Offsides |
2 |
2 |
| Fouls |
21 |
15 |
| Yellow Cards |
2 |
3 |
| Red Cards |
1 |
0 |
|
|
25 June 2005
CC05 Match Report: Germany 2 - 3 Brazil (Semi-finals)
|
|
| Match Summary from FIFAworldcup.com |
|
Adriano scored twice to help take Brazil past Germany and into the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup as they defeated the hosts 3-2 in the semi-final in Nuremberg's Frankenstadion on Saturday.
The big Brazil number nine - who was named the Anheuser Busch Man of the Match - settled this semi-final with a powerful low drive past Jens Lehmann and into the far corner with 14 minutes remaining. It was the third time Brazil had got their noses in front and this time there was no coming back for Jurgen Klinsmann's side.
Brazil took the lead twice in the first half but on both occasions the Germans found a swift riposte. Adriano's deflected free-kick opened the scoring on 21 minutes but within two minutes Lukas Podolski headed Germany level. Then, after Ronaldinho had restored Brazil's advantage with a 43rd-minute penalty, a Michael Ballack spot-kick levelled the scores again in first-half stoppage time.
A capacity crowd packed Nuremberg's Frankenstadion to witness the eagerly-awaited clash between hosts Germany and five-times world champions Brazil. The sides were meeting in an official competition for the first time since the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan final three years ago, which the South Americans won 2-0.
Both nations fielded first-choice line-ups. Captain Ballack and Cologne striker Lukas Podolski returned for Germany, with Maicon making a first FIFA Confederations Cup appearance for Brazil.
The teams kept things very tight in a cautious opening. Germany saw slightly more of the ball in the first few minutes, without creating anything clear-cut in front of goal. The Brazilians offered a hint of the danger when Ronaldinho's tenth-minute free-kick evaded a sea of players in the box before passing just inches wide of Lehmann's left-hand upright.
Veteran Bernd Schneider showed great skill on the edge of the opposing box after 17 minutes, taking the ball down on his right foot before letting fly with his left. However, his volley was a little too high.
Germany dominated proceedings until midway through the half, but it was the samba stars who were celebrating the first goal in the 21st minute. Adriano's free-kick from 30 yards took a wicked deflection off Sebastian Deisler, leaving Lehmann hopelessly wrong-footed.
The hosts recovered swiftly from the shock and levelled just two minutes later. Keeper Dida did well to scramble Fabian Ernst's cross-shot over the bar, but Podolski made no mistake with a well-placed header from the ensuing corner swung over by Deisler.
The goals brought the game to life and Brazil now seized the initiative, creating a string of openings. Lehmann dealt expertly with Kaka's 33rd-minute drive, but the South Americans' ability to break at pace via Kaka and Adriano meant the Germans were permanently under pressure. Deisler did his best to relieve the siege with thrusting runs down the right.
Two minutes from the break, the Brazilians again took off down the right flank, and when Adriano powered his way into the box, the striker fell as he and Robert Huth tussled for the ball, prompting referee Carlos Chandia to whistle for a penalty. Ronaldinho tucked away the award to restore his side's lead.
Podolski was then inches away from connecting with Ernst's cross, but the Germans still had time to conjure up a second equaliser in first-half stoppage time. There was confusion in the box as both Huth and Ballack went down under challenges from Roque Junior and Emerson respectively and referee Chandia awarded his second spot-kick of the game. For the third time in the competition, Ballack dispatched the spot-kick past Dida with a well-taken effort.
The first chance after the restart fell to Robinho, but Lehmann was equal to the young striker's 20-yard snap shot. Adriano then attempted to repeat his first-half free-kick heroics, but although the ball passed through a gap in the German wall, the effort flew wide.
The South Americans opted to try their luck down the flanks more often, and Ronaldinho's skill allowed Gilberto to scamper clear on 56 minutes, but the defender's drilled shot whistled past the post.
Germany boss Klinsmann replaced the subdued Kevin Kuranyi with Gerald Asamoah after 63 minutes. The Schalke man made an immediate impact with a cunning lay-off for Ballack, but Dida made a comfortable save.
Deisler then curled a 20-yard free-kick dangerously over Dida, but the Bayern midfielder was out of luck as the ball flew narrowly wide.
In a repeat of the first 45 minutes, Germany dominated possession and created more chances, but the clinical Brazilians scored the decisive goal. Lucio had directed a close-range header just over before Adriano fought off Huth and pummelled a cross-shot past Lehmann's flailing dive and into the far corner.
Renato replaced the tiring Kaka but the South Americans remained dangerous on the break. Lehmann blocked Robinho's shot on the turn before brilliantly parrying a swerving thunderbolt by Cicinho, who had replaced Maicon at the break.
Klinsmann brought off the outstanding but exhausted Deisler ten minutes from time and threw on Mike Hanke as the Germans switched to a three-man front line in a last throw of the dice. Roared on by the passionate crowd, the weary hosts tried everything, but the Brazilians skilfully protected their 3-2 lead until the final whistle.
|
(Source: FIFAworldcup.com)
* * *
|
| Klinsmann's Comment after the Match |
|
"Obviously we're disappointed about the result, because we were aiming for the final. We wanted to beat Brazil this time but overall, we're satisfied with the team, the performances and the account we've given of ourselves. We demonstrated plenty of energy, passion and flair, and we looked good going forward. The team knows how to react in every situation. Many thanks to the fantastic crowd in Nuremberg. We have a little time for ourselves now, to make sure we do even better next year, hopefully."
"Brazil are a genuinely top team. They recognise when it's time to hit the gas and shift up two gears. But we matched them in footballing terms. Michael Ballack did an excellent job, exactly what we were expecting from him. Our task now is to sit back and review all our matches in peace."
"There are so many things you can take away from a game like this. For example, we can learn to switch from attack to defence much faster when we lose possession, which is what let us down for the third goal. Naturally, it was difficult to shift up again after going 3-2 down. Brazil enjoyed a second wind after the goal, but we looked heavy-legged."
"We have two of the best goalkeepers in the world, and an excellent third keeper in Timo Hildebrand. The goalkeepers need match practice, which is why we operate a rotation system to determine who'll be our number one at the tournament next year."
"We won't have problems with motivation for the third place play-off. We're looking forward to the fantastic crowd in Leipzig. We have a duty to give everything one last time in that match, before we go off on a well-earned holiday. "
|
| Germany's Lineup |
G: Lehmann
D: Friedrich, Huth, Mertesacker, Schneider
M: Deisler (Hanke, 83'), Frings, Ballack (C), Ernst (Borowski, 87')
F: Kuranyi (Asamoah, 63'), Podolski
|
| Goals |
| Adriano | 21' |
| Podolski | 23' |
| Ronaldinho (pen) | 43' |
| Ballack (pen) | 48+' |
| Adriano | 76' |
| Statistics |
| Team |
Ger |
Bra |
| Score |
2 |
3 |
| Shots (on target) |
20(8) |
19(7) |
| Possession |
53% |
47% |
| Free Kicks |
2 |
2 |
| Corner Kicks |
4 |
6 |
| Offsides |
1 |
4 |
| Fouls |
18 |
21 |
| Yellow Cards |
2 |
4 |
| Red Cards |
0 |
0 |
|
|
21 June 2005
CC05 Match Report: Germany 2 - 2 Argentina (Group A)
|
|
| Match Summary from FIFAworldcup.com |
|
Germany have finished at the top of Group A after an entertaining 2-2 draw with Argentina at the Frankenstadion, Nuremberg in the FIFA Confederations Cup on Tuesday 21 June.
The hosts twice took the lead in the match, only to be pegged back twice by the spirited South Americans. Kevin Kuranyi opened the scoring in the 29th minute through a close-range effort, but his strike was cancelled out just three minutes later by a sublime free-kick from Juan Riquelme.
Six minutes into the second half, Gerald Asamoah finished coolly after being put through by Kuranyi to put Germany ahead for the second time, only for Esteban Cambiasso's deflected effort to restore parity for the South Americans 16 minutes from time.
The last time the 2006 FIFA World Cup hosts beat a top ten nation came way back in October 2000 via a 1-0 victory over England. The German coaching staff had called for the situation to be rectified against Argentina, determined to put one over opponents that have been close rivals since consecutive FIFA World Cup final meetings in 1986 and 1990. A further incentive was provided by the fixture schedule: the Group A winners stay put in Nuremberg for the semi-final.
The teams duly served up a lively start, although the Germans undoubtedly shaded the opening exchanges. The vast majority of the 41,926 fans at the Frankenstadion were on their feet after just five minutes as Sebastian Deisler drilled an angled pass into the box, only for Kuranyi to loft his effort over the bar. The Schalke-bound striker then miskicked five minutes later in a carbon copy of the earlier opening, Andreas Hinkel providing the lay-off on this occasion.
The South Americans rode out the storm and began to piece together their passes on the quarter hour. Carlos Tevez burst down the right flank and crossed to the back stick, but Luciano Figueroa inexplicably directed his close-range header over the bar.
The sides cancelled each other out for a phase, but on 28 minutes Slovakian referee Lubos Michel allowed Kuranyi to run on, only to call back play for an earlier Walter Samuel foul when no advantage followed. The ensuing free-kick ran loose in the box, and Kuranyi stuck out a leg to divert Fabian Ernst's effort over the line for the opening goal.
Argentina struck back at once in impressive style. Javier Zanetti's mazy run ended in a free-kick on the edge of the box, brilliantly converted by Riquelme with a superb curler over the wall on 32 minutes. The Villarreal maestro might have handed his side the lead four minutes later, but Timo Hildebrand made a timely save. The Germans had lost their shape, but withstood the increasingly strong Argentines until the break.
Argentina coach Jose Pekerman sent out an unchanged side for the second half, but Klinsmann chose to replace Bernd Schneider with Torsten Frings. The Bremen-bound enforcer was celebrating along with his team-mates just six minutes later, as Kuranyi released Asamoah down the inside-right channel for the Schalke hitman to drive across keeper German Lux into the far corner.
Fortune favoured the Germans when Argentina's attempt at another immediate riposte failed to bear fruit, Cambiasso's thunderous 20-metre drive flying narrowly over the bar. Pekerman now brought on attacking midfielder Pablo Aimar for Lucas Bernadi, with Mario Santana replacing Samuel just after the hour. For Germany, Mike Hanke took over from Asamoah at the same time.
The South Americans upped the pace now in a busy search for the equaliser, while the hosts relied on swift counterattacks as an already entertaining match developed a thrilling end-to-end character. Lux denied Deisler after the Bayern man's fine solo effort on 67 minutes, but at the other end the Argentines had chances through Santana (64), Gabriel Heinze (68) and Robert Huth, who inadvertently tested his own keeper with a header. The leveller looked only a matter of time, and Cambiasso duly obliged with a deflected long-range effort that left Hildebrand helpless a quarter of an hour from time.
Prompted by the resurgent Riquelme, Argentina poured forward with the smell of victory in their nostrils. Pekerman threw on another striker in the shape of Cesar Delgado for Tevez with 10 minutes remaining, while Klinsmann had replaced Bastian Schweinsteiger with Marco Engelhardt a few minutes earlier. The match remained finely balanced until the final whistle, but the Germans held on for the draw and an identical result to the teams' last meeting on 9 February this year in Dusseldorf.
Should Mexico claim at least a point from their Group B meeting with Greece and remain top of the standings, Germany's likely semi-final opponents on Saturday at 18.00 CET in Nuremberg would be Brazil. Mexico and Argentina would contest the second semi-final a day later in Hanover.
|
(Source: FIFAworldcup.com)
* * *
|
| Klinsmann's Comment after the Match |
|
"We wanted to win. That was our objective. But I am very satisfied, even if we did not quite pull it off. The important thing is that the team has grown without Ballack. We sent them out like that deliberately because we wanted to share the responsibility around more evenly. That is why we replaced Schneider, to give Frings more responsibility.
The draw is not the end of the world. We wanted to 'win big' to show beyond doubt that we can do it. But now we are working better together and we did not lose to a big team. Hildebrand confirmed what he has shown over the last three weeks. He has a solid grounding in the game. And he has an inner calm which he radiates. We are very happy with him. We can consider ourselves lucky to have such a good third goalkeeper. There was nothing he could do about the two goals."
|
| Germany's Lineup |
G: Hildebrand
D: Hinkel, Huth, Mertesacker, Hitzlsperger
M: Deisler, Schneider (C) (Frings, 46'), Ernst, Schweinsteiger (Engelhardt, 70')
F: Kuranyi, Asamoah (Hanke, 58')
|
| Goals |
| Kuranyi | 29' |
| Riquelme | 33' |
| Asamoah | 51' |
| Cambiasso | 74' |
| Statistics |
| Team |
Ger |
Arg |
| Score |
2 |
2 |
| Shots (on target) |
10(4) |
17(5) |
| Possession |
38% |
62% |
| Free Kicks |
0 |
2 |
| Corner Kicks |
1 |
8 |
| Offsides |
1 |
3 |
| Fouls |
25 |
21 |
| Yellow Cards |
4 |
2 |
| Red Cards |
0 |
0 |
|
|
18 June 2005
CC05 Match Report: Germany 3 - 0 Tunisia (Group A)
|
|
| Match Summary from FIFAworldcup.com |
|
Germany secured their place in the FIFA Confederations Cup semi-finals as three goals in the last 16 minutes from Michael Ballack, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mike Hanke earned them a 3-0 victory over Tunisia in Cologne.
It was Ballack, whose captain's performance earned him the Budweiser Man of the Match award, who made the crucial breakthrough when he won and then converted a 74th-minute penalty. Goals from Schweinsteiger and Hanke followed as Germany moved on to six points from two Group A matches and they were subsequently assured a semi-final place after Argentina defeated Australia later in the evening. After two defeats Tunisia cannot progress from the group, regardless of the result in their final match against Australia.
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann made three changes from his starting line-up against Australia with Jens Lehmann replacing the injured Oliver Kahn, Sebastian Deisler stepping in for Bernd Schneider and Gerald Asamoah coming in for Kevin Kuranyi. Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre, meanwhile, completely rejigged his starting eleven, introducing seven players who had not started against Australia, among them goalkeeper Ali Boumnijel and forward Ziad Jaziri.
With the sun scorching down on the 45,000 spectators, the hosts had a great chance to take the lead after only four minutes when Gerald Asamoah broke free to run at Boumnijel, but he hesitated a moment too long and his shot from a tight angle was stopped by the Tunisian goalkeeper.
The African champions were not slow in replying and created their first scoring opportunity when, after clever work by Jawhar Mnari, Jaziri suddenly found himself alone in front of Lehmann only to send the ball flying over the crossbar. A greater scare followed for Germany in the 27th minute when Clayton almost scored direct from a corner, swinging in a dangerous ball which Lehmann, reacting late, somehow scrambled away at the near post.
At the other end Clayton cleared a header from Ballack off the line in the 32nd minute and then Schweinsteiger shot over from 20 metres. Five minutes before the break Germany finally did get the ball into the Tunisian net but Podolski's effort was ruled out for offside.
It was Podolski who provided the first effort of note in the second period but his shot from 18 metres was saved by Boumnijel. At the other end, Adel Chadli got his foot to a cross and diverted the ball towards the far corner but Lehmann's reflexes were lightning sharp and he dived to make a superb save.
Lemerre now decided to throw caution to the wind and brought on an additional attacker in Hamed Namouchi. Klinsmann made a change too, replacing Asamoah with Kuranyi but still there were only half-chances falling Germany's way. Ballack curled a free-kick wide of the post, then as Podolski readied himself to shoot inside the penalty area Schweinsteiger took the ball off his foot and found himself crowded out by red shirts.
Another change followed for Germany as Bernd Schneider replaced Thomas Hitzlsperger but the game remained in the balance. Tunisia continued to defend gamely and remained dangerous going down the flanks; the fleet-footed Trabelsi went on a mazy run in the 71st minute and was only just stopped by Robert Huth.
Moments later came the game's decisive moment at the other end, however, as Ballack went down under a Wissem Abdi challenge in the area and referee Peter Prendergast pointed to the spot. The Germany captain [Ballack] did not let the chance slip, smashing his penalty straight down the middle for his second goal in the tournament.
Tunisia now threw everything into attack and pushed for an equaliser, but the Germans were clinical in exploiting the wide open spaces that appeared. On the counterattack Podolski delivered an inch-perfect through-ball into the path of Schweinsteiger, who side-stepped Boumnijel and slid the ball inside the far post from a tight angle to make it 2-0 in the 80th minute.
Podolski, playing on home turf, departed to a standing ovation and it was his replacement, Hanke, who sealed the victory a minute after taking the field. Following a pinpoint cross from Deisler, the striker's header was parried by Boumnijel, but Hanke pushed the rebound over the line to claim his first international goal.
|
(Source: FIFAworldcup.com)
* * *
|
| Klinsmann's Comment after the Match |
|
"It was hard going, but we knew it would be. We've been watching Tunisia very closely of late, and we have a great deal of respect for them. Roger Lemerre has fashioned an excellent team. I'm very satisfied with the result. We started well and had a good first 20 minutes, but Tunisia upped the tempo and made life difficult for us after that.
At half-time, I told the team to remain patient and be totally determined to score the opening goal. We were able to take control once Michael Ballack had put away the penalty, Tunisia are a good side and put us under pressure, especially in midfield. So we needed to be patient until we were set on our way by the penalty.
I think we all enjoyed Lukas Podolski's through-ball for Bastian Schweinsteiger to score the second. The pair of them combined well and found each other. We have a very young team who are busy learning. We're learning more with every game, and we're progressing step by step. The fans got behind our young players superbly, including Robert Huth, who's been the victim of some unnecessarily harsh criticism. The support helped us a huge amount.
The defence looked more solid and much better organised. Jens Lehmann made a couple of great saves which kept us settled. We'll sit down tomorrow with clear heads and consider our plans for Argentina."
|
| Germany's Lineup |
G: Lehmann
D: Friedrich, Huth, Mertesacker, Hitzlsperger (Schneider, 68')
M: Deisler, Frings, Ballack (C), Schweinsteiger
F: Asamoah (Kuranyi, 62'), Podolski (Hanke, 87')
|
| Goals |
| Ballack (pen) | 74' |
| Schweinsteiger | 80' |
| Hanke | 88' |
| Statistics |
| Team |
Ger |
Tun |
| Score |
3 |
0 |
| Shots (on target) |
21(7) |
12(3) |
| Possession |
49% |
51% |
| Free Kicks |
1 |
1 |
| Corner Kicks |
5 |
6 |
| Offsides |
2 |
2 |
| Fouls |
13 |
20 |
| Yellow Cards |
1 |
2 |
| Red Cards |
0 |
0 |
|
|
15 June 2005
CC05 Match Report: Germany 4 - 3 Australia (Group A)
|
|
| Match Summary from FIFAworldcup.com |
|
Those who witnessed the breathtaking opening ceremony in the Waldstadion were hoping that the football that followed would provide similar entertainment. They were not to be disappointed. A warm summer's evening in Frankfurt provided a fascinating contest beween FIFA Confederations Cup hosts Germany, spurred on by a capacity crowd, and Australia, the underdogs with nothing to lose.
Jurgen Klinsmann's side could have taken the lead in the opening 40 seconds. Almost straight from the kick-off Kevin Kuranyi played the ball to Lukas Podolski who flashed a left footed shot just wide of Mark Schwarzer's left-hand post.
The passionate German crowd were off their seats once again three minutes later when Thomas Hitzlsperger fired over from 25 yards. The Stuttgart midfielder's free-kick was headed back to him by Socceroos skipper Craig Moore and the 23-year-old blasted the return comfortably over the bar.
A neat passing move from Australia almost paid dividends when John Aloisi, Tim Cahill and Scott Chipperfield combined well down the left to put Germany under pressure. Josip Skoko joined in the attack and slipped a fine through-ball hoping to pick out Chipperfield, but Oliver Kahn was off his line to save smartly.
As the sun set in Frankfurt, the frustrations of the home fans appeared to grow as an opening goal was not forthcoming. However, they did not have to worry too long as Kuranyi scored a fine goal to put Germany ahead in the 17th minute. The Stuttgart striker showed great skill to slip his marker and divert the ball past Schwarzer from Arne Friedrich's cross.
Joy turned to despair for the supporters of the Nationalmannschaft four minutes later when Australia drew level. Robert Huth fouled Aloisi on the edge of the box and from the resulting free-kick, Skoko drilled the ball through the German wall and past the unsighted Kahn.
Per Mertesacker capped an amazing six-minute spell when he volleyed home to put Germany 2-1 ahead. The young defender finished in style from close range following Australia's inability to clear a corner kick. But the drama was not over yet.
Just as the crowd began to draw breath following the flurry of goals, Australia once again displayed their unquestionable spirit. This time the goalscorer Skoko turned architect as his precise pass picked out Aloisi's run and the striker was left with the easiest of chances to turn the ball past Kahn on 31 minutes.
The home supporters were left to rue their team's inability to hold on to a lead - raising the same questions that were asked of Germany's defence following their recent 2-2 friendly draw with Russia. It was Australia's defence, rather than Germany's, who were tested as the second half began, however. Klinsmann's side were looking to restore their lead at once but they found Schwarzer in excellent form on three separate occasions.
Three minutes into the second half the Middlesbrough keeper made a stunning stop to palm away Bastian Schweinsteiger's powerful right-footed drive. Then he saved low to deny the influential Michael Ballack from close range. And on 53 minutes, it was Schneider who was frustrated by the Aussie No1 when his curling shot was superbly tipped round the post.
Germany finally took the lead for the third time in the match on the hour when Paraguayan referee Carlos Amarilla felt that Ljubo Milicevic's challenge on Friedrich was unfair and awarded a penalty kick. Ballack stepped up to the spot and sent Schwarzer the wrong way.
Substitute Sebastian Deisler almost created Germany's fourth of the evening in the 84th minute. After a powerful run through the centre of the midfield, he found Podolski in space, but the young striker's finish was wayward. However, the Cologne man [Podolski] got the goal his efforts deserved when he converted Ballack's low cross to double the hosts' advantage with two minutes remaining.
Aloisi grabbed his second and Australia's third of the evening in injury time with a cool close-range finish past Kahn, but it was Germany who got their FIFA Confederations Cup campaign off to a winning start.
Lineup of Germany:
Kahn, Friedrich, Huth, Mertesacker, Hitzlsperger, Schneider (Deisler, 76'), Frings, Ballack (C), Schweinsteiger (Ernst, 83'), Kuranyi (Asamoah, 68'), Podolski
|
(Source: FIFAworldcup.com)
* * *
|
| Klinsmann's Comment after the Match |
|
"I would have rather have won 4-1, but that's football. The players have to learn. We have got three points and the win will give our players confidence, but we have a lot of work to do."
"In the first half we had problems with cohesion. The forwards, midfielders and defenders didn't play well together, but eventually, by altering the system a little, we found a solution. Australia had an extra man in midfield, which made things difficult for us."
"Mistakes were made, but we're a young team and making mistakes is human. We have to show that we have learnt from those mistakes in the next few matches."
"Certainly there were nerves in the team tonight. They had to play the opening match of an opening tournament in front of their own fans. We also had to face a very good Australia side, who battled hard in midfield and attacked with intensity. Having said that, in the first 25 minutes of the second half, I think we did very well."
"In the next few games there will be some changes, especially in defence. We want to change our teams to allow other players to get more experience. We need to allow our young players to develop."
"I think Michael Ballack can be even better. In critical situations like the penalty kick, he is always excellent. He was important for us tonight."
|
| Germany's Lineup |
G: Kahn
D: Friedrich, Huth, Mertesacker, Hitzlsperger
M: Schneider (Deisler, 76'), Frings, Ballack (C), Schweinsteiger (Ernst, 83')
F: Kuranyi (Asamoah, 68'), Podolski
|
| Goals |
| Kuranyi | 17' |
| Skoko | 21' |
| Mertesacker | 23' |
| Aloisi | 31' |
| Ballack (pen) | 60' |
| Podolski | 88' |
| Aloisi | 92+' |
| Statistics |
| Team |
Ger |
Aus |
| Score |
4 |
3 |
| Shots (on target) |
20(7) |
10(3) |
| Possession |
51% |
49% |
| Free Kicks |
0 |
3 |
| Corner Kicks |
5 |
6 |
| Offsides |
2 |
3 |
| Fouls |
15 |
17 |
| Yellow Cards |
4 |
1 |
| Red Cards |
0 |
0 |
|
|
13 June 2005
Klinsmann's young defence under fire
|
|
|
After Germany was drawn with Russia by 2-2 on 8 June 2005, the young defence of Germany was criticized for its lack of experience and stability.
Most of Klnismann's chosen defenders were under the age of 23, including: Hinkel, Huth, Mertesacker and Hitzlsperger.
Beckenbauer was one of the leader in this criticism. He told TV channel ZDF: "The defence does not offer a lot of hope and quite frankly it is not stabile enough ... The backline is too young and does not have enough experience. ...
If you are vulnerable at the back then the system does not work. It is all very well to give young players a chance but you can not use all of them. The World Cup is for men not a youth world championship."
But Klinsmann insisted to rely on his young defence explaining that: "I am aware that there are a lot of discussions about our defence after the Russia game. It is a learning curve but we will not budge from four at the back. The system suits us and we have the players to fit in ...
We have a young team and players make mistakes. But there is no team in world football that is perfect."
Klinsmann further added: "There has been a lot of discussion about our back line in the press but it is not something we are really worried about. We are not going to move away from the current back four formation ... the strikers also have a role to play in defence. This is something else we have to work on".
(Source: AFP, FIFAworldcup.com)
* * *
|
4 May 2005
Klinsmann: Players must wear Adidas
Under the terms of Germany's sponsorship and equipment contract, Germany's players must wear Adidas gear.
Klinsmann said in an interview with Sport Bild newspaper: "There won't be any Germany players with any other boot than Adidas ... If any player believes he has to take legal action so that he can play in his own boot (brand), well he can't sue to play for us ... If he doesn't accept the terms, he won't come with us and he can watch the match on television."
(Source: Reuters)
* * *
6 December 2004
Germany appointed sports psychologist for the first time in their history
German football continues to venture into unchartered territory under coach Jurgen Klinsmann as they confirmed that they will appoint Dr Hans-Dieter Hermann as sports psychologist for the first time in their history.
Dr Hermann, 44, who has previously worked with the German ski team, will join the football squad during their trip to Asia from 13 to 22 December.
When commenting on Dr Hermann, Klinsmann said "We are delighted that he is there for the mental side of things ... He has a lot of experience having worked with top sportsmen. He can help them deal with stress and maximise their performance."
(Source: SCMP)
* * *
|
1 November 2004
Germany will face Argentina, Australia and Tunisia in Confederations Cup
|
|
|
The grouping of the 2005 Confederations Cup was drawn today. Germany was grouped in Group A with Argentina, Australia and Tunisia.
After the draw, Klinsmann had the following comment:
"We'll see how far the team has come by next summer. It's also vital to get the team together for a decent length of time occasionally."
"It's always a highlight and an honour to play a team like Argentina. It's a special moment for the players, the kind of match you never forget. We're looking forward to all our games. There are no easy opponents, and we'll approach every game with the proper amount of respect."
"Australia are very strong with a team mainly made up of players who earn their wages in Europe. We'll do a thorough job of checking out all our opponents, either by going to games or on video."
"We regard the FIFA Confederations Cup as a dress rehearsal for the FIFA World Cup a year later. Every game is a chance to grow. It's an opportunity to test ourselves in a competitive situation against top-class opposition ahead of the World Cup."
"We'll be properly focused on the tournament and we'll be taking it seriously. It's an opportunity to try one or two things out. We'll draw some important conclusions."
Since Germany qualified into the 2006 World Cup automatically as a host country, so Klinsmann would not have the advantage to test his players in the World Cup Qualifying matches. Therefore, the 2005 Confederations Cup became very crucial in Klinsmann's preparation for the 2006 World Cup
because it gives Germany the opportunity to test their team's development in a more competitive environment.
(Source: FIFAworldcup.com)
* * *
|
|
|
Klinsmann after Confederations Cup Draw
|
|
|
18 August 2004
March Report: Austria 1-3 Germany
Kevin Kuranyi scored a hat-trick against Austria earning Klinsmann's first victory as Germany coach on Wednesday.
Klinsmann's comment: "I'm pleased, primarily with the way the boys played. They showed a great deal of commitment ... We said we would try to put the Austrians under pressure from the start of the game."
(Source: Reuters)
* * *
3 July 2004
Klinsmann's comment on Euro 2004
The policy of fielding a lone striker had cost teams dear at UEFA EURO 2004, according to Klinsmann.
Citing the Netherlands and Germany as example, Klinsmann explained that "it was a shame the Dutch started with only one up front in Ruud van Nistelrooij - it puts pressure on the attacking midfield players. Germany played with one striker so everything was on the shoulders of Michael Ballack to come forward."
(Source: uefa.com)
* * *
|
| 
| 