FRANCE 98 – Match Summary n°14

A classic strike from captain fantastic Jurgen Klinsmann steered three-time world champions Germany to a 2-0 victory over the United States on Monday. His 45th goal for his country could not have come at a more opportune time.

The Germans had struggled to add to an early Andy Moller goal, set up by Klinsmann, and the combative United States team had started to put the group F favourites under presssure after the break. Klinsmann’s superbly-executed 64th minute goal gave Germany a much-needed cushion against a United States side who have matured markedly since reaching the second round in USA 94.

” There were spells in the second half that we were slack but I am glad to say it picked up near the end. The first goal was an extremely good omen for us as it is always important to have a lead in the match. Hopefully after an early goal you go on and control the game but we did not do that, “ said Germany coach Berti Vogts. ” The Americans picked up a bit of steam and I was glad to see Jurgen Klinsmann’s goal. They played well – there are no poor cousins in international football any more. “

Klinsmann was satisfied with his own performance in a match he had been aiming at for more than a season. ” We started very well but we could not keep up the pace. It is entirely our fault – we may have thought the game was over. We should have stayed more focussed at certain times. It is a good result which gives us confidence – we only lacked a little power in the midfield.  I feel in good shape, aggressive, I have worked a lot for that and I proved I am back in shape. I set up the first goal and scored the second one. “

American coach Steve Sampson said Klinsmann had scored his goal superbly but overall he was happy that his team had taken the game to the Germans, especially in the second half.

It was certainly no stroll at the Parc des Princes for Germany but any fears that it would turn into Jurassic Park for the ageing squad were quelled by the goals from the thirty-something brigade, Moller and Klinsmann. Some commentators described the German side as dinosaurs before the match but they showed once again that an experienced world class side can obtain results against defence-minded opposition while playing below their best.

Germany were forced to change their planned pattern of play before the start when AC Milan’s Christian Ziege ruled himself out because he was suffering from flu symptoms. He was replaced by Stefan Reuter who operated on the right side of midfield with Jorg Heinrich switching to the left. Four of the German starting side-Jurgen Kohler, Reuter, Thomas Hassler and Klinsmann-were in the side that won the 1990 World Cup and the team had more than 600 appearances between them.

The old guard combined for the first goal in the ninth minute. Olaf Thon, who was in 1990 squad, found Klinsmann at the back post with a corner and the captain’s header was guided home by Moller. The 30-year-old Moller, who was also in the 1990 squad, was scoring his 30th international goal in 80 games for Germany. Oliver Bierhoff, whose goals won Germany the 1996 European championship, and Klinsmann were man-marked by David Regis and Eddie Pope respectively and revelled in the one-to-one challenge. They found room in the box and Bierhoff, top scorer with 27 goals in Italy’s Serie A last season for Udinese, should have done better in the 23rd minute when he shrugged of Regis only to shot weakly past. Heinrich operated well down the left in the first half but he was closed down quickly by the American defence and his final ball rarely found its intended target.

The Americans, who were beaten 1-0 by Brazil in the second round four years ago, were stifling Germany’s midfield creativity with six men patrolling the central area and the three-time world champions showed signs of frustration with some speculative long balls out of defence. Claudio Reyna, who is based in Germany with Vfl Wolfsburg, looked sharp in his rare sorties forward but lone marksman Eric Wynalda was well marked by the German defence. Sampson brought on Frankie Hejduk for Mike Burns at half-time and he was immediately in the thick of the action. He was booked after 50 minutes for a clumsy challenge and three minutes later brought out the save of the game from veteran Andreas Kopke with a stinging header.

The American pressure prompted a counter-punch from Germany and Klinsmann lost his marker in the 59th minute to hit a Kohler cross just wide. Just five minutes later a brilliant piece of skill from Klinsmann took Germany into a 2-0 lead. He chested down a cross from Bierhoff, beating Thomas Dooley with his skill, and then picked his spot with his right foot. Classic Klinsmann. The United States took the game to Germany in the closing stages and Tab Ramos fired narrowly past in the 83rd minute.

The German defence, well marshalled by Kohler and Thon, stood firm and resolute to send a warning to the other sides in the World Cup.