Germany Vs Poland - World Cup Special

After contrasting results in their opening games the Germans seemed relaxed before kick off having a win under their belt with manager Jurgen Klinsmann seemingly enjoying life under the pressure of the World Cup spot light. Their opponents Poland however who were dreadful against Ecuador looked focused on a win during pre match preparations, hoping to improve dramatically against stiffer opposition the realized the threat which losing this game could have on their status in the competition.

Germany, three points from certain qualification recalled skipper Michael Ballack to the side which had won 4-2 in the opening game of the tournament, Polish born attackers Klose and Podolski also started against their home nation and looked to score goals to set up a German win.

Poland began with the same side which played against Ecuador making one change to the team which started placing Jelen up front along side the talents of Zurawski, who after a quiet first game knew that his moment to shine was upon him.

In rapid fashion the Poles began the game biting into every challenge becoming slightly over zealous in the early stages because of what was at stake; however they were struggling to get the ball and instead spend plenty of time chasing shadows in the German midfielder.

Creative as ever Michael Ballack attempted to prove his worth in front of the home crowd playing passes at great range and with great regularity to the threats of Schweinsteiger and Schneider out wide. It was the two strikers however who were the most productive for the Germans and should have made the game their own before the late strike from sub Neuville.

Despite scoring two goals in the opening game Klose lacked poise with a header and driven strike in the opening fifteen minutes. The Poles did little to help their cause by sitting deep and attempting to break forward on the counter and relentless German attacks followed with no break through.

Podolski missed the guilt edge chance of the half when a neat change of feet after a pass from Ballack gave him a one on one which he slipped horribly wide of the goal.

Boric minding the Polish net was in inspired form as he stopped once a terrific shot from Ballack and then tipped a shot from Klose round the post after a good build up.

Jens Lehman in the German goal had little to do but sweep up behind his defense and when called into action on rare occasions he was typically quick and industrious coming off his line.

In the second half the Poles possessed a little more of an attacking threat with Jelen posing somewhat of a menace on the ball deep in midfield. However the final ball let the Poles down and it was left to Germany to continue to bombard the Polish goal with chances. Still on top of his game Boric saved again from Podolski and smothered a chance from Klose which seemed to be goal bound.

In between two more chances for the German front two Jelen sent a shot straight at keeper Lehman before Poland were reduced to ten men after a cynical second booking for Sobolewski who pulled Klose down when he threatened to cut inside on the right.

A sprightly Odonkor helped Germany regain some momentum and adding a spring to the attacking of Klose and Neuville he helped set up a guilt edge chance two minutes from time. Lahm, who earlier had forced Boric to save once more, crossed the ball in for Klose to header, a flick from the forward was enough to outfox the keeper but his header hit the bar, a follow up from a diving Ballack also his the bar before Odonkor lashed the ball into the net. Sadly Ballack on the return to his feet had been adjudged offside.

Just as Poland believed they had done enough to gain a point Neuville struck the winner after a cross from the speedy Odonkor. Squeezing between two markers the substitute wheeled away in celebration which saw the Germans no doubt once more make the knock out stages of an International competition.