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Bierhoff regains scoring touch Germany downs Moldova 6-1 in Euro 2000 qualifier
Posted: Saturday June 05, 1999 12:29 AM
LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) -- Oliver Bierhoff snapped his 384-minute scoreless drought in a national uniform with a hat trick Friday in Germany's 6-1 victory over Moldova in a Euro 2000 qualifying match. Germany, lining up four forwards, attacked from the opening kickoff as Bierhoff's shot ricocheted off the crossbar just 48 seconds into the match. The AC Milan forward and team captain then scored on a second-minute roller, and again in the the 56th and 81st minutes, as Germany remained atop Group 3 with 12 points in five matches. Ulf Kirsten and Marco Bode, two other strikers, and midfielder Mehmet Scholl added the other goals. "The team showed from the start they wanted to win," said Germany coach Erich Ribbeck. "It was a fantastic match." Gheorghe Stratulat, coming off the bench, scored a consolation goal in the 76th minute for Moldova. The country remains winless and last in the group with just two points. The biggest applause from 22,000 spectators erupted for Scholl, entering just before the half and making his comeback in a national jersey after a two-year absence while fighting injuries. The Bayern Munich player scored in the 71st minute by driving in from the left, freezing a defender and firing a left-footed shot into the far corner of the goal. "It was great to be back after a hard year with the injuries," said Scholl. Germany, hitting the crossbar or post on four other occasions, showed a big improvement over their 3-1 away victory last fall against Moldova. Bierhoff, who had complained the forwards often were starved of goal opportunities in recent matches, last scored in that Moldova match Oct. 14. "Sometimes it doesn't work that well, sometimes it does -- today it all came together," Bierhoff said. LINEUPS: Germany -- Oliver Kahn, Lothar Matthaeus (Markus Babbel, 74th minute), Jens Nowotny, Thomas Strunz, Jens Jeremies (Mehmet Scholl, 44th), Dieter Hamann, Joerg Heinrich, Oliver Neuville, Ulf Kirsten (Carsten Ramelow, 54th), Oliver Bierhoff, Marco Bode. Moldova -- Serghei Dinov, Oleg Fistican, Serghei Stroenco, Vitalie Maetici, (Gheorghe Stratulat, 55th), Alexandru Gurzun, Igor Oprea, Serghei Erupreanu, Alexandre Curteanu, Radu Rebeja, Serghei Cleschenco (Oleg Sistin, 80th), Vladimir Gaidamaschiuc.
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