Germany vs Australia, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Germany was not supposed to play like this. This was a team which was playing almost total football. They were patient in their build ups, slowly controlling the game, with every player who were there made it good. The players were having their positions defined but that was just lost in those attacks and counter attacks, where the defenders made great passes into the center for the strikers. The start was good for Australians, with a miss by Garcia who was denied by Lahm. I remember Lahm in last world cup coming as substitute and making phenomenal run along the flanks in the losing match. Now this guy is the captain of the team. Pudolski and Klose were the strikers who made it good in last world cup. Only Cahill is one who is remembered from 2006 edition for Aussies who won hearts with their performance against Brazil(Ronaldo gave the winner then) and Japan. The German team is full of youngsters. Muller who scored the brilliant third goal, Oezil(substituted by Gomez) who had many chances and could not convert, Kedhiera who made many runs inside the 30 yards, Brazilian born Cacau(fourth goal as substitute for Klose) and even last years veterans Pudolski, Schweinsteiger, and Metezecker are all young. Aussies were playing rough after the second goal was scored and captain Neill was always a high contender for red card, though it was Cahill who got it. Cahill should not have gone after Schweinsteiger, and got his card. Garcia was substituted in the second half by Rukyvista after Cahill was suspended, rightly because he was not impressive. The whites and blacks were all around the field. Joechim Leow had tough time just before the match, having lost his goal keeper in a very tragic accident and Micheal Ballack down injured, but still the Germans showed why they won in 1954, 1974 and 1990(which will be debated hotly by Argentine fans). Leow took all his strikers off and played with reserves players, knowing that he had a good margin. What was lacking from Australia was their team runs, no coordinated attacks which could threaten German defense, which was good enough to launch counter attacks immediately. The Mexican referee was good enough almost, but a bit too strict. Ultimately, the better team won. The final score line 4-0 says it all.
Germany 4(Pudolski, Klose, Muller, Cacau) - Australia 0
Ghana vs Serbia; Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Tshwane/Pretoria
The other game in group D were good enough to watch. Ghana played well to win, though the penalty which they got and converted was a suspect. A good spirited effort by Serbs(who, I was reminded by a good friend, got a thrashing last year from his team) still didn't make any difference in the score line. I have heard of the scorer somewhere though I don't remember where.
Ghana 1(Gyan) – Serbia 0
Slovenia vs Algeria; Polokwane, Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Slovenia's first-ever FIFA World Cup victory which was not worth seeing. Will see goals later.
Slovenia 1(Koren) – Algeria 0
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