By Eike Zwicker,
The German squad supported their leadership in group A with a 3:0 win over the team of Guus Hiddink.
First of all coach Joachim Löw had to replace Schweinsteiger, because of an injury. Additionally, Westermann filled the gap of Riether, as a result of that, the line-up had two new starters in regard to their last qualifier against Azerbaijan. However, Turkey started completely different in addition to their last game, Goalkeeper Demirel replaced Recep and Halil Altintop, Sahin, Gönül and Hurmaci substituted Arda Turan (injury), Selcuk Inan, Tuncay and Köybasi.
Right from the beginning, the game was characterized by a lot of respect between both teams. It was a game at eye level, with little advantages for Germany. Mesut Özil (photo) of all people, a player with Turkish roots, had the first chance for the German squad, with a nice shot from 16 meters (16th). The game continued with a lot of hard, but fair tackles on both sides. Everybody expected a tie to the halftime, but after a successful combination of the Bayern Munich block, with a cross of Lahm and a marvelous header of Müller, which the Goalkeeper diverted against the post, finally Klose transported the ball over the goal line (42).
Both teams walked without any changes on the pitch after the half-time break. Just after some minutes of the second half, Halil Altintop had to tie the game, but he failed to score, free without any opposite number from 5 meters (53th). Hereinafter the Turkish selection increased the pace of the game, but without any promising chances. On the other side, it enabled the German squad a lot space for counter attacks and to score the preliminary decision. Due to that, Podolski had a marvelous chance to double the lead, but even the Cologne star failed to score, unmarked from 15 meters (70th). Minutes later, Özil scored the second goal for “the white eagles”, after a nice assist of Lahm (79th). Last but not least, the goalkeeper of Turkey ensured with a horrible goal kick directly to Klose, that the German striker scored his second goal of this evening (87th).
On Tuesday, Germany will play their next qualifier in Kazakhstan, whereas the Turkish selection will meet Azerbaijan, as well an away game.
Line-up:
Neuer – Lahm – Mertesacker – Badstuber – Westermann – Khedira – Kroos – T. Müller – Podolski – Özil – Klose
Substitutes:
86th Träsch for Podolski
90th Cacai for Klose
90th Marin for Özil
Bench:
Wiese (GK), Riether, Boateng, Gomez
