Euro 2016 Qualifiers: Schweinsteiger wants more from Germany
Skipper unsatisfied with performance after 2-0 win over Georgia
Making amends: After a shock defeat to Poland and a home draw with Ireland last October, Joachim Loew’s side made amends by defeating Georgia 2-0 at the Boris Paichadze Stadium. PHOTO: AFP
TBILISI/ LISBON:
Captain Bastian Schweinsteiger says Germany must improve ahead of key matches against Poland, Ireland and Scotland as they bid to qualify for Euro 2016 as Group D winners.
First-half goals from Marco Reus and Thomas Mueller sealed a 2-0 win in Georgia on Sunday which kept Germany in the hunt for automatic qualification for the finals in France after a shock defeat to Poland and a home draw with Ireland last October.
Scotland's 6-1 drubbing of bottom side Gibraltar in Glasgow left the Scots and Germany level on 10 points, while Poland’s draw with Ireland saw them top the table with 11 points.
The win sets up Germany ahead of their next qualifier away to minnows Gibraltar in June before their showdown at home to Poland, then games away to Scotland and Ireland in September and October.
But Schweinsteiger, who made his debut as Germany captain on his first appearance since the World Cup final, said there is plenty of room for improvement if they want to win their group.
"It is always hard against a team which defends so deep and we made one or two mistakes too many, but the bottom line is a 2-0 win is okay. We needed the points," said the Bayern Munich star. "We need to keep improving and we have plenty of time until our next qualifiers."
After failing to impress in their seven previous internationals since winning the World Cup in Brazil last year, this was a far more polished display from Germany, but there were frustrations with the goalless second half.
"I have mixed feelings, to be honest, we did well in the first half and scored some nice goals, but it was frustrating not to score after the break," said Mueller.
Coentrao scores winner as Portugal see off Serbia
Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao scored the winning goal as Portugal beat Serbia 2-1 in Lisbon on Sunday to move top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group I.
Coentrao arrived at the back post to convert a low ball across the box from Joao Moutinho to decide the encounter at the Estadio da Luz after Nemanja Matic had cancelled out Ricardo Carvalho's early opener with a spectacular strike.
Serbia, playing their first competitive game under Radovan Curcic and struggling in the section, drew level from a corner of their own in the 61st minute.
Aleksandar Kolarov's ball in from the left was helped on by Radosav Petrovic and Chelsea midfielder Matic — back on the ground where he used to star for Benfica — connected with a stunning acrobatic overhead kick that left Rui Patricio helpless in goal.
But Serbia were only level for two minutes before Coentrao got Portugal's winner, to the delight of the home fans in the crowd of more than 58,000.
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Captain Bastian Schweinsteiger says Germany must improve ahead of key matches against Poland, Ireland and Scotland as they bid to qualify for Euro 2016 as Group D winners.
First-half goals from Marco Reus and Thomas Mueller sealed a 2-0 win in Georgia on Sunday which kept Germany in the hunt for automatic qualification for the finals in France after a shock defeat to Poland and a home draw with Ireland last October.
Scotland's 6-1 drubbing of bottom side Gibraltar in Glasgow left the Scots and Germany level on 10 points, while Poland’s draw with Ireland saw them top the table with 11 points.
The win sets up Germany ahead of their next qualifier away to minnows Gibraltar in June before their showdown at home to Poland, then games away to Scotland and Ireland in September and October.
But Schweinsteiger, who made his debut as Germany captain on his first appearance since the World Cup final, said there is plenty of room for improvement if they want to win their group.
"It is always hard against a team which defends so deep and we made one or two mistakes too many, but the bottom line is a 2-0 win is okay. We needed the points," said the Bayern Munich star. "We need to keep improving and we have plenty of time until our next qualifiers."
After failing to impress in their seven previous internationals since winning the World Cup in Brazil last year, this was a far more polished display from Germany, but there were frustrations with the goalless second half.
"I have mixed feelings, to be honest, we did well in the first half and scored some nice goals, but it was frustrating not to score after the break," said Mueller.
Coentrao scores winner as Portugal see off Serbia
Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao scored the winning goal as Portugal beat Serbia 2-1 in Lisbon on Sunday to move top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group I.
Coentrao arrived at the back post to convert a low ball across the box from Joao Moutinho to decide the encounter at the Estadio da Luz after Nemanja Matic had cancelled out Ricardo Carvalho's early opener with a spectacular strike.
Serbia, playing their first competitive game under Radovan Curcic and struggling in the section, drew level from a corner of their own in the 61st minute.
Aleksandar Kolarov's ball in from the left was helped on by Radosav Petrovic and Chelsea midfielder Matic — back on the ground where he used to star for Benfica — connected with a stunning acrobatic overhead kick that left Rui Patricio helpless in goal.
But Serbia were only level for two minutes before Coentrao got Portugal's winner, to the delight of the home fans in the crowd of more than 58,000.
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