Podolski gave Germany a 1-0 against Ireland

Germany gave new coach Joachim Löw the perfect start to his reign with a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in the first Group D qualifying match of the Euro 2008 campaign here on Saturday.

Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski scored the decisive goal on 57 minutes but Ireland will feel hard done by as the free-kick took a cruel deflection off captain Robbie Keane. But group favourites Germany will not care one iota as they head into Wednesday's qualifier at San Marino with three points on the board.

For Ireland coach Steve Staunton, who like Löw was making his competitive debut, it is a disappointing beginning but he has time to get things right as the next qualifier is against Cyprus on October 7.

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Germany gave new coach Joachim Löw the perfect start to his reign with a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in the first Group D qualifying match of the Euro 2008 campaign here on Saturday.



Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski scored the decisive goal on
57 minutes but Ireland will feel hard done by as the free-kick took a cruel deflection off captain Robbie Keane. But group favourites Germany will not care one iota as they head
into Wednesday's qualifier at San Marino with three points on the
board.



For Ireland coach Steve Staunton, who like Löw was making his
competitive debut, it is a disappointing beginning but he has time to get things right as the next qualifier is against Cyprus on October 7.