World Cup 2006 Begins

Germany 4 - Costa Rica 2

If anyone thought that the German team is not what it used to be, that the team cannot win with their new style, that Juergen Klinsmann is in trouble, well think again. Germany completely dominated Costa Rica in the World Cup opener to get those crucial 3 points and the first game under their belts. And they did this all with their best player, Michael Ballack, on the bench. Germany only found itself in a tight game at the 70th minute when Costa Rica’s Pablo Wanchope brought the Ticos to back to within a goal due to some defensive lapses at the back line playing the offside trap. (That same trap also allowed Costa Rica to briefly tie the game in the first half). Other than that it was one-way traffic as Germany assaulted the Tico goal throughout the game.

With the score 3-2 in the 85th minute, Germany’s Torsten Fringgs cemented the victory with an absolute cannon of a shot into the upper right hand corner that the Tico’s goalie could only wave at. Also scoring for Germany was Miroslav Klose (2) and Philip Lahm, who opened the scoring with a beauty of his own in the sixth minute.

Germany’s game has always been about strength and it was no different today. They swung the ball from side to side and then attacked the goal from many different angles. Especially dangerous was Lahm, who controller the left side of midfield with ease all day long. Schweinsteiger also had a strong game. On the German’s second goal, he faked a shot from a cross back into the top of the box, and while meaning to shoot, found Klose perfectly for an easy tap in with the resulting cross.

The most surprising thing to me was that Germany didn’t score a single goal through the air (although Klose’s second goal was a result of a rebound from his own header originally saved by the keeper). This bodes well for Klinsmann, who has vowed to change the German style of play. What that means I’m not exactly sure, but if it means not relying on the aerial game as much and playing with more of the flair of the Latin teams, it certainly showed today.

If I were Klinsman I would be worried most about the defensive lapses. They allowed a very old striker Wanchope to get two goals against them. Some will claim that he was offside on the second goal, but to me he was right on the line on both and I for one certainly hope they start truly giving the advantage to the offensive player. If Germany can correct the application of the offside trap and when they get Ballack back, they are going to be in very good shape.

Ecuador 2 - Poland – 0

This game was a bit of role reversal. Poland looked to me to be the faster, quicker, slicker team. Ecuador looked like the slow plodding team. Poland’s problem is that they started off very slowly and Ecuador was able to break the scoreboard first in the 24th minute via a header from C. Tenorio. Nearly a half hour later, they got their second when they caught Poland trying the offside trap and Kaviedes crossed it to a teammate for a very easy tap in. In between the two goals, the game was rather dull, with Poland willing but unable to take advantage of what to me looks like a very suspicious Ecuatorian goalkeeper. Ecuador, for their part, has to be credited for maintaining their rigid formation and not allowing the Poles anything in between their two scores.

The game got interesting only after the second goal, with Poland hitting the post twice in the last 10 minutes. Right before the first impact on the woodwork, Poland’s striker Smolarek, who has been lighting up the Bundesliga this season, had a sensational chance but shot right at Mora.

This is the second straight World Cup that Poland gets off to a terrible start. Last time, they lost 2-0 to S. Korea only to be pummeled by Portugal in their second game. This time around looks like déjà vu all over again as Poland now has to play Germany. Another pummeling appears to be in store. Ecuador, meanwhile now plays Costa Rica. This should be a very good game and I think Costa Rica will win.