World Cup 2010
03.06.2010 22:58:41
Schweinsteiger double completes comeback
New captain Philipp Lahm started the comeback with a scorching strike on 51 minutes.
ermany came from behind to win 3-1 against Bosnia-Herzegovina, ensuring that Joachim Löw's side will go into the World Cup on the back of three wins in a row in their preparation games.In an open start to the game, it was Germany who had te first real chance; the ball falling to 1. FC Köln's Lukas Podolski, whose half-volley thundered off the post, with Bosnian keeper Hasagic beaten all ends up.
Shock lead for visitorsBut Bosnia-Herzegovina had been looking dangerous on the counter-attack too in the early stages, especially the lively Edin Dzeko, and it was the VfL Wolfsburg striker who gave his side a shock lead on 15 minutes with a bizarre goal. Jahic had put Dzeko through on goal in the box, trying to shrug off the attention of Philipp Lahm. However, when the new Germany captain tried to clear the ball, he only contrived to smash his clearance into the chest of Dzeko, the ball flying over Neuer and into the back of the net.
The goal sparked the Nationalmannschaft into life, and on 24 minutes, Sami Khedira almost found an equaliser; after Podolski's shot had been blocked, the ball fell to Khedira, whose rushed shot squirmed wide of the right-hand post. Khedira was again close on 42 minutes, this time firing wide after Klose's ball across.
Lahm thunderbolt levels scoresBut in the second-half things quickly got better for Löw's side. Philipp Lahm was swapped to his favoured right flank, and he showed what he can do from that side on 51 minutes; Cacau escaping a couple of challenges before laying the ball into the path of the onrushing Lahm, who smashed the ball into the top corner, the ball crashing in spectacularly off the crossbar.
They then almost took the lead just two minutes later; Cacau, who had replaced Klose at half-time, was through on goal and tempted Hasagic away from his line, but his dinked finish hit the underside of the crossbar. Germany continued to threaten, and on 69 minutes Mesut Özil forced Hasagic into a decent save.
Schweinsteiger double from the spotIt didn't take them long afterwards though to take the lead in the game for the first time. Marko Marin, who had just come on, surged into the box from the left and was upended by Jahic; Bastian Schweinsteiger dispatched the resulting penalty to make it 2-1 on 72 minutes.
Just five minutes later, Germany made sure of a farewell win with yet another penalty. Second half substitute Thomas Müller bundled over by Bosnian captain Spahic, and Schweinsteiger stepping up once again to make the final score 3-1.
It was Germany's third win in a row after wins against Malta and Hungary, and Löw's squad will feel confident going into their first Group D match against Australia on June 13th.
Germany: Neuer- Lahm, Mertesacker, A. Friedrich (Kroos 86'), Badstuber, Khedira, Schweinsteiger (Tasci 86'), Trochowski (T. Müller 46'), Özil (Gomez 80'), Podolski (Marin 71'), Klose (Cacau 46')
Bosnia-Herzegovina: Hasagic- Mravac (Ibricic 45'), Nadarevic, Spahic, Jahic, Rahimic, Pjanic, Salihovic (Berberovic 78'), Ibisevic (Zec 75'), Mismovic (Muslimovic 80'), Dzeko
Goals: 0-1 Dzeko (15'), 1-1 Lahm (51'), 2-1 Schweinsteiger (72' pen), 3-1 Schweinsteiger (77' pen)
Attendance: 48000 (Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt)
