June 1: Germany 8 - Saudi Arabia 0
One could only feel sorry for Saudi Arabia in what will be a forgettable night in Sapporo as Germany conducted a merciless slaughter, beating the Saudi's 8 goals to 0.
Miroslav Klose scored a hat trick while the remaining goals were spread among the rest of the team.
Germany dominated from start to finish and the final shot count of 27-3 displays it. As does the score. The goals flowed steadily in a match that otherwise had not much to offer. Michael Ballack and Dietmer Hamann owned the midfield and the first goal eventually came in the 20th minute when Klose latched onto a Ballack cross and slotted the header past the helpless Saudi goalkeeper.
Klose doubled the Germans advantage 5 minutes later in similar style. Ballack made it 3 in the 40th minute after good lead up work on the left followed by a pinpoint cross from Christian Ziege for Ballack to coolly head home.
Carsten Jancker had worked hard all half and was eventually rewarded after a Schneider cross was flicked on by Klose and Jancker calmly swept the ball through the goalkeeper's legs.
The game didnt change in the second half and in the 69th minute, Klose got the first hat trick of this World Cup with another headed goal from a simple cross.
Thomas Linke made it 6th in his 34th International appearance. Another header from a simple corner. Late substitue Oliver Bierhoff grabbed the 7th with a 20 yrd toe poke that the goalkeeper wasnt expecting before a well taken free kick in the 91st minute from Schneider completed the rout.
The only blemish for the Germans was the two yellow cards, otherwise Rudi Voeller will be more than pleased with his side's performance, even if the match was touted as a 'training match'.
Germany out-classed, out-muscled and out-played the Saudi's all over the park but whether they can match better opposition is still unknown.
The positives for Saudi Arabia. When they had the ball, they looked enthusiastic and their defence wasnt exactly sloppy. The Germans just had too much class and too many chances.
Match rating: 6.5 out of 10 - Plenty of goals, otherwise not an entertaining match.
Outstanding players:
Miroslav Klose (Germany): If he played the whole game, he could hav scored more. He looked very good up front and will torment the Irish and Cameroon defences in games to come.
Michael Ballack (Germany): Ballack dominated the midfield, setting up several goals and scoring one himself.
Yellow Cards: 3 - Ziege (42nd min) and Hamann (83rd min) for Germany, Noor (90th min) for Saudi Arabia
Red Cards: 0
Referee:
Half-time: Germany 4 - Saudi Arabia 0