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German attitude, Kahn decisive vs. U.S. Posted: Friday June 21, 2002 11:45 AM
ULSAN, South Korea (Reuters) -- Organization, discipline and a refusal to give in might be cliches when it comes to describing German football but they remain the cornerstone of their consistency. It also helps if you have probably the best goalkeeper in the world, as they have in Oliver Kahn, and a combination of all these factors proved the difference in their 1-0 quarter-final win over the United States on Friday. Three hours after David Seaman's blunder sent England crashing out of the World Cup, Kahn proved the importance of a world class keeper with a peerless display against the brave American underdogs. He celebrated his 50th cap with a performance that broke the hearts of a U.S team who created most of the chances in an open, entertaining clash but just could not capitalize on them. The Bayern Munich giant twice denied lively midfielder Landon Donovan in the first half -- one fingertip save was among the best seen at these finals -- and made another three important stops after Michael Ballack had headed Germany into the lead. Headed clearance The only time he looked helpless was midway through the second half when he raced out of his box to head a clearance then watched with his heart in his mouth as Claudio Reyna's 40-yard lob sailed over his head, but also just over the bar. "The difference in the game was Kahn, he came out with some great saves," said U.S. coach Bruce Arena. "He had a great game. The save from Donovan in the first half was a big one, two saves in fact. He was outstanding today." "We had our chances but the man of the match was their keeper, he played fantastic," said his opposite number Brad Friedel who has also had a superb competition but was rarely tested on Friday. German coach Rudi Voeller agreed: 'No doubt about it, he saved our lives many times in the first half. "We knew if we wanted to go a long way in this World Cup we would need a fantastic Oliver Kahn and we've had that." Kahn's heroics Despite Kahn's heroics, however, it is no accident that Germany have now reached the semi-finals 10 times in 15 tournaments. Although they were outplayed for long periods they kept their discipline throughout and made sure they hit the net with one of their few chances. Ballack was the motor of the side but their defense often creaked in the face of quick U.S. counter-attacks. "We are a bit disappointed because we felt we should have won but that is why they're so good," said Friedel. "They can play games like this -- when maybe they're not the best team -- and still win." This German team, largely the same group of players, was a shambles two years ago when they went out in the first round of the European championship and only last September they were thrashed 5-1 at home by England in a qualifier. Shortly before the World Cup, Franz Beckenbauer, a winner as a player and coach, said that for the first time in memory Germany were sending a team who could not win the tournament. The Kaiser, of all people, should have known better than to write off the most consistent country in World Cup history. While many other big names around them fell, Germany eased into the last eight without any major scares, though they made hard work of beating Paraguay 1-0 in the second round. "Before the tournament many people didn't really think we had any chance," said Voeller who has instilled real confidence in the squad since taking over in 2000. "We've proved them wrong and I'm pleased to have done that."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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