Germany received a major set-back by losing 1:0 (1:0) to Serbia in Port Elizabeth on Friday. Milan Jovanovic (38.) scored the decisive goal for Serbia, which registered their first win in their first World Cup as an independent nation. The team of Joachim Löw had to overcome the suspension of Miroslav Klose (37.), who was ejected by Spanish referee Alberto Undiano after his second foul. Germany plays Ghana in a battle for the ticket to the round of sixteen, when they meet in their final group-stage-game on Wednesday. On Saturday, Ghana plays Australia.
“We had our difficulties getting into the game and did not control the pace the way, we had hoped for”, said Löw. “In the second half, my team fought back and showed character.”
Löw had fielded the same team as in the German opener, a 4-0-win over Australia, with Miroslav Klose as his forward and the youngsters Thomas Müller and Holger Badstuber. Bastian Schweinsteiger recovered from his cold in time, which had kept him out of practice during the week.
Just one minute following the red card for Miroslav Klose, Serbia’s Milan Jovanovic (38.) scored for Serbia, with an assist by Nikola Zigic. Germany’s Sami Khedira hit the crossbar in the final seconds of the first half.
The second half commenced with two huge scoring opportunities for Lukas Podolski. When Nemanja Vidic touched the ball with his extended right arm, it was Podolski, who tried to convert the penalty. But Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic saved the shot aimed for the right corner.
Löw tried everything to add a spark, substituting Cacau (for Özil), Marko Marin (for Müller) and Mario Gomez (for Badstuber) – but to no avail.
created by db
[bild1]
Germany received a major set-back by losing 1:0 (1:0) to Serbia in Port Elizabeth on Friday. Milan Jovanovic (38.) scored the decisive goal for Serbia, which registered their first win in their first World Cup as an independent nation. The team of Joachim Löw had to overcome the suspension of Miroslav Klose (37.), who was ejected by Spanish referee Alberto Undiano after his second foul. Germany plays Ghana in a battle for the ticket to the round of sixteen, when they meet in their final group-stage-game on Wednesday. On Saturday, Ghana plays Australia.
“We had our difficulties getting into the game and did not control the pace the way, we had hoped for”, said Löw. “In the second half, my team fought back and showed character.”
Löw had fielded the same team as in the German opener, a 4-0-win over Australia, with Miroslav Klose as his forward and the youngsters Thomas Müller and Holger Badstuber. Bastian Schweinsteiger recovered from his cold in time, which had kept him out of practice during the week.
[bild2]
Just one minute following the red card for Miroslav Klose, Serbia’s Milan Jovanovic (38.) scored for Serbia, with an assist by Nikola Zigic. Germany’s Sami Khedira hit the crossbar in the final seconds of the first half.
The second half commenced with two huge scoring opportunities for Lukas Podolski. When Nemanja Vidic touched the ball with his extended right arm, it was Podolski, who tried to convert the penalty. But Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic saved the shot aimed for the right corner.
Löw tried everything to add a spark, substituting Cacau (for Özil), Marko Marin (for Müller) and Mario Gomez (for Badstuber) – but to no avail.
