FRANCE 98 – Match Summary n°29

Germany’s aging stars pull two goals back for draw Germany’s aging stars staged an amazing comeback to draw 2-2 with Yugoslavia after being two goals down here on Sunday in a pulsating Group F showdown.

Yugoslavia, who crashed 4-1 to Germany the last time they met in the World Cup finals in 1990, looked to be setting the record straight with a goal in each half from Dejan Stankovic and Dragan Stojkovic. German keeper Andreas Kopke was at fault in both goals, first failing to intercept a centre from the left, then fumbling a cross from the right.

However, substitute Michael Tarnat blasted in a free-kick which took a wicked deflection with 16 minutes left and then Germany’s Euro 96 hero Oliver Bierhoff hit a second on 80 minutes. Bierhoff’s 17th goal in 28 matches rounded off a wonderful fight-back by the Germans.

Lothar Matthaus made a record-breaking appearance in the World Cup finals as he came on in the second half for Dietmar Hamann. It was his 22nd match in the finals, the all-time record. Before the finals, Matthaus’ jointly held the record of 21 games with Argentina’s Diego Maradona, Germany’s Uwe Seeler and Poland’s Wladislav Zmuda. Matthaus is also just one of just two players, the other is Mexican Antonio Carbajal goalkeeper, to have played in five finals.

Germany coach Berti Vogts said afterwards: ” We were down and out, but in the final 25 minutes we showed we were able to transform a defeat into virtually a victory.  For around 60 or 65 minutes, I was very angry with the players. Some of them didn’t seem to be aware that we are at the World Cup. It was only by making a few adjustments that we managed to achieve what had seemed impossible. “

Yugolavia went ahead after only 13 minutes. Predrag Mijatovic made space for himself on the left. The Real Madrid striker looked up and saw Dejan Stankovic running into the area. The 29-year-old flashed in a low hard cross that both Stankovic and German keeper Andreas Kopke rushed for.

Both appeared to miss the ball completely. The bar hit the far post and bounced over the line before defender Jens Jeremies could hook it clear.

The 19-year-old Stankovic put his arm in the air, claiming he had got a touch to the ball before it went in. Nine minutes into the second half, Yugoslavia went further ahead. Slavisa Jokanovic and Jurgen Kohler competed for the ball on the edge of the German area and the ball fell for Darko Kovacevic on the right who crossed into the box. Kopke appeared to have the ball well covered, but he let it slip through his grasp and Stojkovic was on hand to lodge the ball home. Tarnat came on for Ziege in the 67th minute and he pulled a goal back seven minutes later. His freekick from outside the area was deflected by central defender Mihajlovic leaving keeper Ivica Kralj no chance. Then Bierhoff, just before scoring, headed onto the underside of the crossbar but the ball bounced out and eventually to safety. However Bierhoff made amends moments later when his firm header from a corner gave Kralj no chance.

Yugoslav coach Slobodan Santrac praised his side but was disappointed at the final result. ” I am happy and sad. It was a good result but it was a pity they managed to level right at the end, “ he said. ” We know the German team well and we knew they wouldn’t lie down until the final whistle even when they were 2-0 down, ” Santrac said.

Germany captain Jurgen Klinsmann was knocked out and carried unconscious from the pitch as his team fought back but he later came round and said: ” I got hit in the liver and didn’t know where I was. ” Germany had made two changes from the side which beat USA 2-0. Dietmar Hamann came in for Thomas Hassler in midfield, and Christian Ziege played at left wing-back. Jorg Heinrich, left wing-back against the USA, moved to the right position in place of dropped Stefan Reuter. Yugoslavia made three changes from the side which beat Iran. Slobodan Komeljenovic came in at right back for calf victim victim Zoran Mirkovic, midfielder Dejan Stankovic started instead of Branko Brnovic and Darko Milosevic came in for Savo Milosevic up front.