| The German juggernaut coasted to victory against the USA in Paris. Moving to
the top of Group F with the win, the Germans produced a thoroughly
workmanlike performace against outsiders America. With less than ten minutes
on the clock and with their second corner of the game, Berti Vogts' side made
their greater experience pay dividends. Thon's inswinging corner found
Klinsmann and his header back across the face of the American goal gave
Andreas Moeller the perfect opportunity to put the former two time World
Champions ahead. Reeling from this early setback, the Americans never really
got to grips with the German's well organised defensive unit and although they
had plenty of possession, they managed only one shot on target throughout the
first 45 minutes. The Germans, on the other hand, were playing on the break with
Klinsmann, Bierhoff and Moeller looking dangerous. Steve Sampson, the US
coach made a tactical switch during the break, introducing attacking full-back
Frankie Hejduk and he was soon in the thick of the action. Regis crossed into the
German penalty area and Hejduk beat Juergen Kohler in the air to steer his
header towards the bottom right hand corner of Koepke's goal. The 'keeper
could only parry the header and had to recover quickly to save from Reyna on
the edge of the six yard box. It was the United States' best chance, but this was
no more than a false dawn, the Germans were playing within themselves and
seemed to accelerate the pace of the game at will. With 65 minutes gone the result
was put beyond doubt, full-back Jeremies was moving down the right wing when
Regis' attempted tackle saw the ball bounce over the US defence. Bierhoff was
quickest to react to the breaking ball and sent over a pinpoint cross for Jurgen
Klinsmann. The former Spurs' star beat the last defender by controlling the ball
on his chest and then calmly side-footed the ball beyond a helpless Kasy Keller
and into the right hand corner of the net. The introduction of two further strikers
to the US side could not claw the game back and the Germans were happy to
allow the Americans to play football on the halfway line. Even then, when
America went forward, they always looked vulnerable to the quick German
break. Berti Vogts will have been happy with his teams performance although
there was a slight injury worry over winger Thomas Haessler who had to be
substituted after 50 minutes after a clash with a US defender. |
