WC Qualifier 1: Liechtenstein 0 - 6 Germany

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Easy game, as expected. 6-0 win.

First two goals were scored by Podolski. Rolfes, Schweinsteiger, Hitzlsperger and Westermann scored one each aswell.

Some good goals really, especially those of Podolski, the lob of Schweini, and the free kick of Hitzlsperger (helped by the deflection of the Lichtestein player).

Germans weren't very efficient in front of the goal. The score could have been higher, at least 10-0.

[Dragoen]

Originally Posted by dukeofdavinci

1-0???you guys hit them past 6-0.

it was more then exploding.it was nuclear man.

Well look at the time I sent my post. :P

[__-SNAKE-__]

Hehe, Malta beat this team 7-1 when they came here.

[Subliminal]

Germany Trounce Liechtenstein

Germany got off to a good start in their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, comfortably defeating Liechtenstein 6-0 in Vaduz. A brace from Lukas Podolski and goals from Simon Rolfes, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Hitzlsperger, and Heiko Westermann sealed defeat for the home side.

FIRST HALF:

German coach Joachim Loew opted to field a surprisingly conservative line up for the first half, with Simon Rolfes and Thomas Hitzlsperger starting in the central midfield and Piotr Trochowski and Bastian Schweinsteiger on the flanks. Two somewhat surprising omissions were Christoph Metzelder and Mario Gomez, who were replaced by Heiko Westermann and Lukas Podolski, respectively.

Not surprisingly, the first half involved mostly sloppy performances from both sides, although Germany were clearly in control of the match. Despite winning possession 55-45% during this time, Liechtenstein managed just four shots, none of which was on target. Perhaps their best chance came on ten minutes, when Benjamin Fischer’s shot from the left corner of the penalty area went just wide.

The visitors had the majority of the opportunities early, as Philipp Lahm, Trochowski and Lukas Podolski repeatedly linked on the left side, overlapping and creating plenty of space for one another. After just four minutes, Trochowski played a 1-2 with Podolski that resulted in a good save of Trochowski’s effort. Eight minutes later, Peter Jehle made another great save, this time following a low Bastian Schweinsteiger drive. The deadlock did not hold, however, as Trochowski selflessly laid the ball off to Hitzlsperger, who found Podolski open for the opener.

In spite of their relative dominance, the Germans failed to double the advantage before the break, most likely due to their playing a very different style of football. Given much space to work with, the Germans tried to pull their best South American impression with impressive back-heels and inventive passing. The result was a host of cheap turnovers and generally sloppy play from the Germans, who have historically been known for their efficiency.

SECOND HALF:

Minutes after the break, Trochowski was given room to foray to the 18-yard box, wherefrom he laid the ball off for Podolski’s second goal. Still, Germany remained sloppy and did not convert again until the 65th minute, when Schweinsteiger forced Jehle to weakly punch the ball away following a set piece. The ball fell to Rolfes, who tapped the ball in from just outside the six-yard box. Things got worse for the home side just seconds later, as Bastian Schweinsteiger drilled a low shot into the net from 12 yards out.

The home side stepped up their offensive pressure in pursuit of a consolation goal, but were unsuccessful. Close-range efforts from Thomas Beck, Benjamin Fischer and Mathias Christen rather unluckily missed the target.

Luck was with the visitors, however, as in the 76 minutes, Thomas Hitzlsperger’s free kick was deflected into the net by Liechtenstein forward Mario Frick. The icing on the cake came on 87 minutes, when Heiko Westermann headed home Marko Marin’s outswinging corner kick.

In spite of the large margin of victory, both teams have a lot to take from today’s match. Liechtenstein can be pleased with their ability to hold the visitors to just one goal in the first half, but will have to work on their defense if they are to take points in their group. Germany, on the other hand, are surely glad to have revealed Trochowski and Westermann as potentially huge contributors to their cause, although they will have to work on passing ahead of their next match.

Goals:

0-1 Lukas Podolski (21’)

0-2 Lukas Podolski (48’)

0-3 Simon Rolfes (65’)

0-4 Bastian Schweinsteiger (66’)

0-5 Thomas Hitzlsperger (76’)

0-6 Heiko Westermann (87’)

Germany: Enke - Lahm, Westermann, Tasci, Fritz - Trochowski, Hitzlsperger, Rolfes (Marin, 69'), Schweinsteiger - Podolski (Kuranyi, 76'), Klose (Gomez, 64')

Goal.com - WCQ - Europe - Germany Trounce Liechtenstein

[Subliminal]

Löw Pleased With Straight Forward Win

Germany got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to the perfect start with a 6-0 romp against Liechtenstein in Vaduz, which left trainer Joachim Löw pleased with the display from his side.

Two goals from Lukas Podolski were added to by second half goals from Simon Rolfes, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Heiko Westermann.

“For us it was clear that we wanted to win this game and to do so without any problems. We managed to do that” Löw said after the game.

“Despite that, it wasn’t that easy for us. In the first half we should have scored two or three goals.”

Liechtenstein counterpart Hans-Peter Zaugg was left proud of his side, but admitted the better side had won.

“The victory was deserved. We played well in the first half and our goal was to play just as well in the second 45 minutes” he said.

“We couldn’t manage that however and around 65 minutes Germany broke our morale with their goals” Zaugg added.

Goal.com - WCQ - Europe - Löw Pleased With Straight Forward Win

[Subliminal]

Player Ratings: Liechtenstein 0-6 Germany

Goal.com analyses the individual contributions of the participants in Germany's 6-0 trouncing of Liechtenstein. Simon Rolfes, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Heiko Westermann added to a Lukas Podolski brace to ease the Germans through...

GERMANY


Robert Enke: 7.0 – Although he was never truly tested, he was always in position to make saves had they been required.


Philipp Lahm: 8.0 – The more offensive fullback. Wreaked havoc on the left side with his accomplices, Trochowski and Podolski. Was too generous on 41 minutes when he had a 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper and he crossed to a nonexistent receiver.


Serdar Tasci: 5.0 – Hard to rate because he was rarely called into action. Disappointed when he failed to contain Frick on 71’.


Heiko Westermann: 6.0 – Also hard to rate because he was so sparingly used. In spite of a defensive error on 11 minutes, he performed generally well in his own half, and provided the kind of offensive performance Germans expect from Christoph Metzelder, except with finishing on the attacking end. Provided a headed goal following a corner kick, a surprisingly rare feat for a German international.


Clemens Fritz: 5.0 – The more defensive full back. Cannot be faulted for his lack of offense, as Westermann and Lahm often ventured forward and somebody had to keep Tasci company. Did well to break up attacks from the Liechtenstein offense when necessary.


Piotr Trochowski: 6.5 – Had his ups and downs. Great selfless play: for the opener, he passed up a shot, instead laying off for Hitzlsperger, who assisted Podolski’s opener. Also passed up a chance and provided the ball for Podolski’s second goal. Still, his passing was not always spot-on, and he occasionally lost possession cheaply.


Thomas Hitzlsperger: 6.0 – Also had his ups and downs. Aside from his assist to Podolski, his passes tended to be poor. Would have had a rating of 5.0 if not for his well-struck free kick goal.


Simon Rolfes: 4.0 – Many would ask how a goal scorer could have a rating of 4.0, but I can’t give him much credit for an opportunistic goal, even if it was well struck. Aside from a great ball to Lahm, he contributed little offensively or defensively.


Bastian Schweinsteiger: 6.5 – His work rate, versatility, and creativity are to be highly respected. Early on, he was all over the pitch, setting up plays and confusing the opposing defense. Had two good shots and would have scored if not for Jehle’s good goalkeeping. For all his vision and good runs, he was not as technically sharp as he can be, as his ball control and passes were often sub-par.


Miroslav Klose: 2.0 – Why Loew gave him the captain’s armband is a mystery to me. Confidence is a requirement for all captains, and Klose has none of it. A perfect example was when he was open in the penalty area and shot at least a yard wide of the far post.


Lukas Podolski: 8.0 – Not only did he score twice, but he also nearly provided several assists. His work rate was incredible, exemplified by his efforts to remain on his feet as D’Elia did his best to pull him down rugby-style. If today’s performance does not win him a starting role at Bayern, Klinsmann is a madman.


Substitutes:


Mario Gomez: 5.0 – Keeps getting unlucky. When the ball was crossed in front of his feet, he froze instead of tapping the ball in. A disappointing performance from the man who is arguably Germany’s most talented centre forward.


Marko Marin: 5.5 – Today’s performance was below the quality of his league performances and his last international outing against Belgium. Did nothing wrong, but those hoping for a few Messi-style runs would have been disappointed.


Kevin Kuranyi: 5.5 – Would have had a higher mark had he scored, which he nearly did twice. A free header late in the match should have been on target, and he was unlucky to have been flagged for offside as he turned and netted from 18 yards.

Goal.com - WCQ - Europe - Player Ratings: Liechtenstein 0-6 Germany

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Goals/highlights

[Eric]

the goal.com analysis is spot on.

Klose was yet again so poor that it is a disgrace for him to wear the german jersay and let alone play even a single minute.

He HAS to be benched for at least a month and i would also hire his grandmother to hit him with a rolling pin evry time he sleeps in on the court. Or even sub in his grandmother instead of him. She would do a better job then TrauerKlose. That's how bild calls him which means something like wet blanket

[Vargas_4]

Lukas Podolski: 8.0 – Not only did he score twice, but he also nearly provided several assists. His work rate was incredible, exemplified by his efforts to remain on his feet as D’Elia did his best to pull him down rugby-style. If today’s performance does not win him a starting role at Bayern, Klinsmann is a madman.

Agreed.

I'll be very disappointed if he ends up in the bench ahead of Klose.

[Dragoen]

The grades for the players from the Kicker magazin. I think they are pretty accurate although I feel Schweinsteiger deserves a 3.

Enke (3) - C. Fritz (4,5), Tasci (3), Westermann (2), Lahm (2,5) - Rolfes (3) - Schweinsteiger (3,5), Hitzlsperger (3), Trochowski (2) - Klose (5), Podolski (1,5)