Three goals by 20-year-old striker Lukas Podolski helped Germany to a 4-2 win over South Africa in Wednesday's friendly battle between the hosts of the next two World Cups.
Podolski, underlining his status as Germany"s best hope of a
home victory at the finals next year, supplied an exquisite chip
for the first goal in the 11th minute.
South Africa, preparing to stage the 2010 World Cup but with no
chance of qualifying for next year"s tournament, equalised with a Shaun Bartlett penalty before Germany took control in a manic spell at the start of the second half.
Podolski set up Tim Borowski in the 47th minute and raced in
himself to make it 3-1 a minute later. Benni McCarthy blasted past Jens Lehmann to bring South Africa back into the game in the 50th minute but Podolski struck five minutes later to complete his hat-trick and take his tally to 10 goals in just 17 games for Germany.
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[bild1]Three goals by 20-year-old striker Lukas Podolski helped Germany to a 4-2 win over South Africa in Wednesday's friendly battle between the hosts of the next two World Cups.
Podolski, underlining his status as Germany"s best hope of a
home victory at the finals next year, supplied an exquisite chip
for the first goal in the 11th minute.
South Africa, preparing to stage the 2010 World Cup but with no
chance of qualifying for next year"s tournament, equalised with a Shaun Bartlett penalty before Germany took control in a manic spell at the start of the second half.
Podolski set up Tim Borowski in the 47th minute and raced in
himself to make it 3-1 a minute later. Benni McCarthy blasted past Jens Lehmann to bring South Africa back into the game in the 50th minute but Podolski struck five minutes later to complete his hat-trick and take his tally to 10 goals in just 17 games for Germany.
