Munich: Thomas Muller, Miroslav Klose and Mesut Ozil scored as Germany strolled to a 3-0 international friendly win over the Netherlands in Hamburg on Tuesday evening. A superb finish from Muller gave the home side the lead early on, and Klose doubled it halfway through the first half. Ozil then put the match to bed after the break with a tap in from close range.
The home side started the match with attacking intentions and came close after only a minute of play - Miroslav Klose racing past Joris Mathijsen before firing in a low shot that went only just wide. Holland then got a chance after sloppy defending from Per Mertesacker, but Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's left footed shot from a narrow angle didn't trouble Manuel Neuer.
Moments after, Ryan Babel set up Wesley Sneijder on the edge of the area, only to see the Inter star blast his shot over the bar.
Germany deservedly went ahead in the 15th minute after an incisive attack. Toni Kroos sent in a pinpoint cross for Miroslav Klose, who laid the ball off for the onrushing Thomas Muller. The Bayern attacker didn't hesitate and fired home from inside the area to make it 1-0.
Things got even worse for the 2010 World Cup finalists only ten minutes later. Muller escaped the attention of Edson Braafheid before setting up Mesut Ozil down the right. The playmaker had all the time and space he needed to find Klose with a good cross and the Lazio striker found the net with a beautiful header.
The hosts continued to dominate play in the opening 45 minutes and Klose spurned two more chances to add to his tally. The striker first failed to meet Ozil's low pass from the right before heading just wide after a cross from the other side of the pitch.
Holland made a bright start to the second half and both Sneijder and Ryan Babel tried their luck from long range after quick combinations through the middle, but the former aimed wide, while the latter failed to trouble Neuer. Germany's impressive attack continued to cause the vulnerable Dutch defence all kinds of trouble after the interval and Ozil poured even more misery on Holland in the 66th minute.
Muller picked up a loose ball after a failed clearance from Nigel de Jong before setting up Ozil on the edge of the area. The Madrid man then played a quick one-two with Klose and tapped home from close range.
The Dutch didn't give up easily, but they lacked creativity up front in the absence of several key players. Only Gregory van der Wiel came close to a consolation goal after a good solo run, but his left footed shot was too weak to beat Neuer.
The result confirms Germany as one of the favourites for Euro 2012, while Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has plenty of work to do ahead of next year's tournament.
Comments
0 comment