Germany stunned 1-0 by Serbia
PORT ELIZABETH:
Serbia stunned Germany 1-0 in a pulsating World Cup tie marked by a cluster of yellow cards, Miroslav Klose’s sending off and Germany’s Lukas Podolski missing a second-half penalty.
Milan Jovanovic’s first half goal gave Serbia victory to throw Group D wide open with Radomir Antic’s side joining Germany and Ghana – who play pointless Australia today – with three points.
Germany striker Klose picked up the first booking of the game and then his fatal second, from Spanish referee Alberto Undiano, in the 37th minute for a tackle on Serbia captain Dejan Stankevic. Less than a minute after he had left the pitch Serbia went ahead after a fine three-man move.
Milos Krasic sent a high ball in from the right post for Nikola Zigic, the tallest player at 2m 2cm high in the World Cup, to head down for Jovanovic to flick in past keeper Manuel Neuer.
Trigger-happpy Undiano dished out two bookings in the space of barely a minute to Serbian duo Branislav Ivanovic and Aleksandar Kolarov.
Undiano must have thought it was Christmas as he handed out yet another card to Serbia’s Neven Subotic. The game’s eighth booking for a handball by Vidic in the box, led to Germany being awarded a penalty on the hour.
Podolski stepped up but his spot kick into the left hand corner lacked inspiration and Wigan’s Stojkovic comfortably saved. Jovanovic then hit the woodwork down at the other end.
Late goal earns a draw for the US
Midfielder Michael Bradley’s late goal sealed the US fight back as they drew 2-2 with Slovenia to keep their hopes of reaching the last-16 alive.
Slovenia were heading to their second win of the tournament, and unexpectedly becoming the first team into the second round, having led 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals by Valter Birsa and Zlatan Ljubijankic before the US fought back to force the equaliser.
Landon Donovan scored a superb goal on 48 minutes, then the equaliser came with eight minutes left as Jozy Altidore flicked on a header deep in the penalty area and Bradley fired his shot home.
Both teams now have all to play for in their last group match when Slovenia play England and the US face Algeria.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2010.
Serbia stunned Germany 1-0 in a pulsating World Cup tie marked by a cluster of yellow cards, Miroslav Klose’s sending off and Germany’s Lukas Podolski missing a second-half penalty.
Milan Jovanovic’s first half goal gave Serbia victory to throw Group D wide open with Radomir Antic’s side joining Germany and Ghana – who play pointless Australia today – with three points.
Germany striker Klose picked up the first booking of the game and then his fatal second, from Spanish referee Alberto Undiano, in the 37th minute for a tackle on Serbia captain Dejan Stankevic. Less than a minute after he had left the pitch Serbia went ahead after a fine three-man move.
Milos Krasic sent a high ball in from the right post for Nikola Zigic, the tallest player at 2m 2cm high in the World Cup, to head down for Jovanovic to flick in past keeper Manuel Neuer.
Trigger-happpy Undiano dished out two bookings in the space of barely a minute to Serbian duo Branislav Ivanovic and Aleksandar Kolarov.
Undiano must have thought it was Christmas as he handed out yet another card to Serbia’s Neven Subotic. The game’s eighth booking for a handball by Vidic in the box, led to Germany being awarded a penalty on the hour.
Podolski stepped up but his spot kick into the left hand corner lacked inspiration and Wigan’s Stojkovic comfortably saved. Jovanovic then hit the woodwork down at the other end.
Late goal earns a draw for the US
Midfielder Michael Bradley’s late goal sealed the US fight back as they drew 2-2 with Slovenia to keep their hopes of reaching the last-16 alive.
Slovenia were heading to their second win of the tournament, and unexpectedly becoming the first team into the second round, having led 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals by Valter Birsa and Zlatan Ljubijankic before the US fought back to force the equaliser.
Landon Donovan scored a superb goal on 48 minutes, then the equaliser came with eight minutes left as Jozy Altidore flicked on a header deep in the penalty area and Bradley fired his shot home.
Both teams now have all to play for in their last group match when Slovenia play England and the US face Algeria.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2010.