World Cup hosts Germany defeated China 1-0 in a friendly match here on Wednesday with a 51st minute penalty from Torsten Frings proving the decisive goal at the Hamburg stadium.
Coach Jürgen Klinsmann reshuffled the defence with Borussia Dortmund's Christoph Metzelder, whose career has been hindered by injuries, making his first appearance since February 2002. In the opening exchanges Metzelder was strolling around as Germany made the running and Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger forced a fine save from Li Leilei in the 29th minute.
China were far from overawed though and spurned two good chances
to take the lead shortly before the interval. In the 43rd minute Xie Hui was clear through on goal but curled the ball wide with Kahn forced to rush out of his goal and narrow down the angle. Sixty seconds later Kahn was called into action again with
Manchester City defender Sun Jihai forcing a fine low save as the
German backline wobbled.
The half-time interlude came to Germany's rescue and six minutes
into the second half the hosts were in front. Bernd Schneider was felled by China captain Li Weifeng in the box and Frings watched with relief as his spot-kick crept past goalkeeper Leilei.
[db]
[bild1]
World Cup hosts Germany defeated China 1-0 in a friendly match here on Wednesday with a 51st minute penalty from Torsten Frings proving the decisive goal at the Hamburg stadium.
Coach Jürgen Klinsmann reshuffled the defence with Borussia Dortmund's Christoph Metzelder, whose career has been hindered by injuries, making his first appearance since February 2002. In the opening exchanges Metzelder was strolling around as Germany made the running and Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger forced a fine save from Li Leilei in the 29th minute.
China were far from overawed though and spurned two good chances
to take the lead shortly before the interval. In the 43rd minute Xie Hui was clear through on goal but curled the ball wide with Kahn forced to rush out of his goal and narrow down the angle. Sixty seconds later Kahn was called into action again with
Manchester City defender Sun Jihai forcing a fine low save as the
German backline wobbled.
The half-time interlude came to Germany's rescue and six minutes
into the second half the hosts were in front. Bernd Schneider was felled by China captain Li Weifeng in the box and Frings watched with relief as his spot-kick crept past goalkeeper Leilei.
