By Hariharan
South Africa, Friday, June 18, 2010 — Serbia’s World Cup hopes were kept alive after beating a 10-man Germany side by a single goal.
The match was observed by a trigger-happy referee who issued three yellow cards within the first 21 minutes. Miroslav Klose was one of the three booked. In the 36th minute, Klose was sent off after being shown a second yellow card for a soft foul on Dejan Stankovic.
The confidence levels of the German side were clearly low as they conceded a goal just a couple of minutes later. Milos Krasic crossed the ball into the box from the right to find the towering Nikola Zigic. Zigic headed the ball down to Milan Jovanovic who controlled the ball with his chest before putting the ball past the keeper from just three yards out.
Germany replied positively with a surge of attacks. Their best chance of the half came in injury time. A cross from the right found Sami Khedira whose thunderous shot rattled the under side of the crossbar and came out to Per Mertesacker. Mertesacker headed the ball toward goal, but the ball was cleared off the line.
Coming out from the break, Germany looked threatening in attack. They created many goal scoring opportunities, but none of them taken.
It was a match to forget for Lukas Podolski who was firing blanks in front of goal. His best chance to be a national hero came in the 60th minute. Vidic had needlessly handled the ball in the box, giving away a penalty. However, Podolski’s penalty was saved by Serbian keeper Vladimir Stojkovic.
Serbia were more cautious of the two teams devoting more effort to defense. They wasted numerous chances to put the game to bed on the counter-attacks and had two shots denied by the woodwork.
The Germans played extremely well even with a man down. However, they were unable to find an equaliser making this Germany’s first loss in a group stage match since 1986.
Our pundit Andrew Chua was desolate about the result. He is a Germany supporter and predicted a 3-0 win for Germany.
Andrew Chua of RI. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Andrew Says:
What a nightmare. Germany, high from their 4-0 trouncing of Australia in their first group stage match, got a timely reality check from the seemingly down-and-out Serbia. There was nothing wrong with Serbia’s goal, and to say they “parked the bus” in front of Germany would be harsh, particularly because they came close to scoring on a few other occasions. Germany too came close, with Sami Khedira hitting the crossbar and Podolski missing a penalty given away that Nemanja Vidic gifted them in the exact same fashion Kuzmanovic did against Ghana.
1-0 was, however, a gross injustice to the Germans. They didn’t play badly at all and deserved at least a point.
Meanwhile, the refereeing was atrocious. From sending off Miroslav Klose after 30-odd minutes to giving away countless free kicks Serbia’s way, the Germans were visibly flustered by the seeming lack of fairness by the Spanish referee. It got frustrating for me even, when Germany’s attacks kept being prematurely halted not by a turnover in possession but the stupid whistle of the referee, the sound of which was infinitely more annoying that the incessant buzzing of the vuvuzelas.
But to complain excessively about the poor refereeing would be unproductive and unhelpful. Germany need to sit down and think about how they can learn and change, especially with regards to their finishing. Meanwhile, Serbia must do their best not to be complacent because, undoubtedly, after falling one of the giants, they must think they can do anything. Including giving away penalties for fun.
Man of the Match: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)
Huh? Isn’t this Germany vs. Serbia? No, there’s no mistake. Spanish referee, Alberto Mallenco single-handedly changed the outcome of the match but dishing out yellow cards like fliers. He reminded me of those eager newly-elected primary school prefects who’s ever so eager to use his power to book any random “normal” student for every ridiculously small offense.
I mean yes, he might pride himself in being a no-nonsense referee, but that performance by him was surely outrageous. Some way through the match Thomas Muller had a free-kick given against him because he did a bicycle kick. No — trust me — that IS nonsense.
More News and Reactions
Serbia coach Raddy Antic dedicates win to nation
Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic ecstatic at victory
Germany coach Joachim Low devastated by loss
A game of inches
Video highlights of the game
| GROUP D | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GERMANY  | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 6 |
GHANA  | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
AUSTRALIA  | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 4 |
SERBIA  | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/
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