By Eike Zwicker
Özil scores the goal in an even game between Germany and Ghana
Coach Joachim Löw changed two positions concerning their last game against Serbia. Jerome Boateng replaced Holger Badstuber as left defender and Cacau replaced Miroslav Klose as striker after his ejection against Serbia.
Right after the kick off “the white eagles” had the aim to control the game, but the Ghanaian offensive players disturbed the German defensive players wide in the half of the German squad. Özil had the first chance for the German team, when he ran free, without an opponent of the Ghanaian goal, but he failed to score (25th). On the other side the West Africans had their first chance after a corner kick, when Neuer failed to fend the ball, but Lahm cleared on the goal line (26th). Kevin-Prince Boateng was the next Ghanaian player who had a chance to score with a header, after an ayew-cross, but the midfielder failed to score as well (32th). The last chance of the first half time had the German squad, with an cross free kick of Schweinsteiger, but goalkeeper Kingson saved this ball with a little bit of luck (41th).
Both teams appeared with the same eleven players after the half-time break, as in the first half. Germany had again more from the game in the second half, whereas Ghana operated with long balls over the wings. Suddenly Asamoah was free in front of the German goalkeeper, when Prince Tagoe lengthens a header, but Neuer prevent the goal with a marvelous reflex (51th). Özil secured the victory for the German squad with a 20 metre shot in the left corner of the goal (60th).
Coming Sunday Germany expected a hard game against England to move into the quaterfinals.
Line-up:
Neuer-Lahm-Mertesacker-Friedrich-Boateng-Khedira-Schweinsteiger-Müller-Özil-Podolski-Cacau
Substitutes:
Trochowski for Müller (67th)
Jansen for Boateng (73th)
Kroos for Schweinsteiger (81th)
