Germany: United States [R]

[Zeppelin]

Watching this game i thought Germany will be just fine in the WC, hopefuly all the way to the final either facing USA or Brasil ;)

[Wotan]

He's eaten too much Yggdrasil leaves and starts hallucinating. Quite entertaining though.

Anyway off to bed. Sweet dreams of Asamoah, Wotan.
Arthur- you know your Norse mythology---& of mr hanging from the Yggdrail tree. But---as you know, I hung for nine days--upside down--so, it would be impossible for me to have eaten the leaves from that position.

But---I'm glad you find me "entertaining"--maybe we both got it wrong---maybe Asamoah is really "taken" by......Klinsi.:D ----But---all joking aside-- did Asamoah suck or what?! Even I.....was appalled! Glad to see quite a few others who agree with me---what is he doing on the National Team?:confused: ---Sleep well, Arthur........i hope i do too, & not have any nightmares of Asamoah trying to play soccer.:p

[BayernWake]

Next time we'll bring a team that is actually remotely challenging to play against, deal?

Good luck at the WC boys.

If a team holds you goalless for an entire half, I think that qualifies as "remotely challenging."

[KUBI_nu11]

I am glad to see that "our Swiss player" Oliver Neuville scored a nasty goal for Germany and that he is back with the Mannschaft.

I saw some decent play from Germany (in second half) and I hope you guys continue to improve (a lot) so you can do something during this world cup.

Good luck to Germany :)

[Zwanzigoetzel]

Asamoah was a disgrace and he has no business being on the national team.
Ballack,Neuville and Schweini played well, Podolski=0 today and Kahn had a great safe....

I'm still worried about our defense who was very shaky at times and had trouble moving forward from behind and getting the ball controlled into the midfield. I still think Woerns needs to be back on the team. Then we'll have an almost all Dortmund defense!!! Yeahhhh... ;)

Overall it was a good performance but there is still lots of room for improvement.
And when is Scholl finally getting nominated??? :mad:

[balla_basti]

OK. First of all lets dispel this sense of euphoria that seems to be hanging around our victory by a 4-1 scoreline.

In all probability it was probably the most matched 4-1 scoreline ever. Add to that the fact that Steve Cherundolo scored what is quite possibly the most astonishing goal in international football history and I'd think thats enough to wipe the stupid grin of Klinsi's face.

This victory has in NO way erased all our problems. On the contrary it has compounded it as Germany looked shaky in places where i thought we were going to be fine.

First Half. The boos and catcalls emanting from the stands was fully deserved. Germany were horrendous. Absolutely horrendous. They did nothing. Created nothing. Just a lot of passing around and than a lot of mis-passes to American players. Absolutely stupid. Every single time our forwards were beaten to the long ball from the back by US defenders who then headed it to US midfielders. And since that is such a big part of our attack, we were pathetic. Poldi was isolated as everything seemed to 'try' to go through Asamoah and Schneider. And they both sucked horribly. We had two chances though. One a beautifully weighted Ballack pass behind the defence which Klose cut back and Poldi put just wide. The other a cross from Friedrich which Ballack somehow headed wide. Very uncharacteristic.

Anyhow, if it was even remotely possible, we were poorer in the second half. yes. POORER! you read that right. We scored in the 46th minute through a very lucky goal and the next twenty odd minutes was the worst football i have seen any team play for a while. No passing, no communication. Hell we couldnt even get three-four passes going.

So in retrospect the save that Olli Kahn made of a US head was what changed the match. If that had gone in, it would all have been so different.

Well we all know the rest. Neuville came in (thankfully) for Asamoah (who wouldnt be playing in the 2nd div of any other league) and prompty turned the game on its head. For once Klose won a header and the dimunitive striker thumped home a spectacular volley. Klose than showed how much improved a player he is with a superbly taken goal. One sniff at goal and the lad delivers. Thats why i like him added to the fact that he works his ass off. Ballack than got is 30th international goal with a majestic header. However Steve Cherundolo reduced arrears with as i have said before the most astonishing international goal ever.

Anyways, notes from this game?

I just have one thing to say. If people were saying that the 2002 German team was the worst team to ever go to a World Cup, id tell them to just take a look at the 2006 World Cup team.

Best of luck to us. We are going to need it.

[Dead Run]

I like Germany's chances in he cup. It will be difficult to score against you and hard to deny Klose and Ballack their goals, especially in the air. It's the sign of a strong team to get such a definitive result in what was a rather even game for 75 minutes today.

BTW does Ballack look like Matt Damon, the American film actor who played in the Bourne Identity, or what? Although he didn't look much like Damon on that goal. That was all Ballack.

Good luck Germany. I can't wait to see the World Cup this summer because of the soccer of course, but also because your country is a great place with great tradition and an ideal host for the tournament. Hope we get another chance to beat you in June.

[Jaison]

I honestly don't get this Asamoah bashing. Sure, he had a very bad game today, but he's been playing very well for Schalke, and to say he's complete crap, is, well... complete crap. He has a limited repertoire for sure, but he can still be an effective disrupter when he's playing well. I certainly don't see him being a starter for the NT, but he's someone who can contribute off the bench (like he did this summer vs. Holland). He's definitely not a lock for the NT (especially after today), but some of the posters are going overboard.

["Eisenfuß" Eilts]

Almost everyone here is bashing Asamoah.
He wasn´t the worst player on pitch by Germany IMO.

Bernd Schneider, who had an horrible day,
could neither play a 5 metres pass nor control the ball.
What people forgot is,
that not only Asamoah was substituted,
but Schneider, too.

After Schneider was on the bench,
the team had a better pass game,
played faster and created more chances.
The Americans seemed tired and
Germany made good pressure in this time.
(most of the time they didn´t do it, sadly)
Neuville prooved again,
that he´s a good counter striker.
Right decision by Klisi to bring him in
at this part of the match.

[snoooop]

it was a typical "before the WC" Game from germany, its always the same, we play fücking bad before the WC and when it starts we are on our top level, 100% fit and have a good condition.

the first 70min. was some of the most boring and badest ones that ive seen in the last 15-20 years.

no matter if this was an B C or F Team, it was a Testgame/friendly. so nobody playing there really hard tackles and stuff, normally we play harder football, with more body, but in an friendly both sides try to make no hard fouls that no players gets an injury.

both sides missed some of their regular starters and i dont know, i think both sides should not count on that game to much, such games do not say very much about a strength of a team or not, you can study some tactics and so:eek:

in a WC Game is there a lot more concentration a lot more motivation, the players play faster, play harder and go more in 1-1 situations.


so....sleep a night, forget the game and count the days to opening Game of the WC ;) :D

[chelodelgado]

the first 70min. was some of the most boring and badest ones that ive seen in the last 15-20 years.



That's what I was going to say :D.
I wouldn't be too carried away by the win, just as Germany didn't show up for the Italy friendly, the U.S didn't show up for this one. A few positives are Metzelder and Kehl getting a chance and doing well, and I like the way Asamoah/Neuville played on the right side.

[Wotan]

Asamoah was a disgrace and he has no business being on the national team.
Ballack,Neuville and Schweini played well, Podolski=0 today and Kahn had a great safe....

I'm still worried about our defense who was very shaky at times and had trouble moving forward from behind and getting the ball controlled into the midfield. I still think Woerns needs to be back on the team. Then we'll have an almost all Dortmund defense!!! Yeahhhh... ;)

Overall it was a good performance but there is still lots of room for improvement.
And when is Scholl finally getting nominated???
Excellent post Zwanzi---I've been asking that question about Asamoah for over a year now. Lots of people here think i have a "vendetta" against him- not true! WHAT is he doing on the NT. Also, I agree with you about Woerns...& Scholl---Hope Arthur d reads this! Right on- Wotan:)

[Onionsack]

OK. First of all lets dispel this sense of euphoria that seems to be hanging around our victory by a 4-1 scoreline.

In all probability it was probably the most matched 4-1 scoreline ever. Add to that the fact that Steve Cherundolo scored what is quite possibly the most astonishing goal in international football history and I'd think thats enough to wipe the stupid grin of Klinsi's face.

This victory has in NO way erased all our problems. On the contrary it has compounded it as Germany looked shaky in places where i thought we were going to be fine.

First Half. The boos and catcalls emanting from the stands was fully deserved. Germany were horrendous. Absolutely horrendous. They did nothing. Created nothing. Just a lot of passing around and than a lot of mis-passes to American players. Absolutely stupid. Every single time our forwards were beaten to the long ball from the back by US defenders who then headed it to US midfielders. And since that is such a big part of our attack, we were pathetic. Poldi was isolated as everything seemed to 'try' to go through Asamoah and Schneider. And they both sucked horribly. We had two chances though. One a beautifully weighted Ballack pass behind the defence which Klose cut back and Poldi put just wide. The other a cross from Friedrich which Ballack somehow headed wide. Very uncharacteristic.

Anyhow, if it was even remotely possible, we were poorer in the second half. yes. POORER! you read that right. We scored in the 46th minute through a very lucky goal and the next twenty odd minutes was the worst football i have seen any team play for a while. No passing, no communication. Hell we couldnt even get three-four passes going.

So in retrospect the save that Olli Kahn made of a US head was what changed the match. If that had gone in, it would all have been so different.

Well we all know the rest. Neuville came in (thankfully) for Asamoah (who wouldnt be playing in the 2nd div of any other league) and prompty turned the game on its head. For once Klose won a header and the dimunitive striker thumped home a spectacular volley. Klose than showed how much improved a player he is with a superbly taken goal. One sniff at goal and the lad delivers. Thats why i like him added to the fact that he works his ass off. Ballack than got is 30th international goal with a majestic header. However Steve Cherundolo reduced arrears with as i have said before the most astonishing international goal ever.

Anyways, notes from this game?

I just have one thing to say. If people were saying that the 2002 German team was the worst team to ever go to a World Cup, id tell them to just take a look at the 2006 World Cup team.

Best of luck to us. We are going to need it.

Glad someone else said this because as an outsider i didn't want to be the one to say it, but your post is sort of what i got out of this game too.

I am no German supporter, but i do like Jurgen Klinsmann an want to see him do well. But i was expecting Germany to dominate this match, much like the US did vs. Japan earlier this year, by putting themunder pressure constantly and controling and dictating the game. What i saw was a US team and a German team play to a stalemate for the better part of 70 minutes.

From my vantage point it appears Germany is disjointed and one-dimentional which is odd because generally they are amoung the most organized and disiplined teams in the world.

The result will ease the fears and pressure a bit until June, but i have to wonder if this game didn't raise more questions for Germany than it answered. 4-1 looks and smells great in a news print, but all things considered you have to wonder if that result isn't just a red harring.

[F96]

OK. First of all lets dispel this sense of euphoria that seems to be hanging around our victory by a 4-1 scoreline.

I don't sense euphoria at all, it's relief, nothing else. The team needed a good result out of this game, they got it.

I read the papers today, I talked to people about the game today, I feel people are pretty realistic. Kicker even rated Schneider 6 and Mertesacker 4,5, so it's not like anyone feels our problems are solved.

Still a 4:1 is better for the mental state of the team AND this country than a draw or loss would have been.

edit: I read too fast and thought TOLH's ratings were the real kicker ratings, lol.
They rated Schneider 4
complete ratings (http://www.kicker.de/content/news/artikel.asp?folder=7100&object=329794&liga=1&saison=2005%2F06&spieltag=27&gruppe=22304)

[Dead Fingers]

Was waiting for this

headline from MSN/Fox Sports

MANNSCHAFTED (http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer)

:D


Best part is Keller and Arena sounding off (http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/5436274)

[Dead Fingers]

photos from the game
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/pgStory?contentId=5433420&pageNumber=1

[BayernWake]

Anyone have video of the goals? I had to leave for work after the 1-0 :(

[Osnator]

http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5434544_7_1.jpg

That pic is funny. Klose looks like a granny and Conrad seems to be in agony. Obviously Klose tries to break his opponent`s collarbone with his hand of iron.

[ChrisSSBB]

Was Germany playing 4-3-3 because this is their new attacking style? Or was it due to the quality of opponent? Or because of players available?
Just curious.

Regarding Asamoah, he may not have the skills of someone like Neuville, but I think his strength can wear on a team after a period of time and can contribute to defensive mistakes late in a match.

Also, will Neuville make the WC team? An excellent finish by Oliver.

[snoooop]

Also, will Neuville make the WC team? An excellent finish by Oliver.

we still have an injured Kevin Kuranyi and an injured Mike Hanke, wich both have better chances for the WC as Neuville.
I am not a big fan of Neuville, but if Klose, Kuranyi, Hanke, Asamoah or Poldi gets an injury for the WC, he will be the first to recall.
But i hope for Stefan Kiessling, fantastic young player with a lot of talent, the new Jürgen Klinsmann. :eek: :) :D

and watch out for Benny Lauth from Hamburg, he has a good run at the moment, lets wait and see.