Neuville delivers Pole-axe
Neuville delivers Pole-axe
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Wednesday, 14, Jun 2006 10:16
Oliver Neuville's injury-time winner gave Germany a narrow 1-0 win over ten-man Poland in Group A.
The Poles had been vastly improved from their display against Ecuador on the opening day and looked like they would seal a deserved point.
However, Radoslaw Sobolewski's red card 16 minutes from time shifted the balance in the hosts' favour and despite a rearguard action from Polish goalkeeper Artur Borac and the woodwork, it was substitute Neuville who struck at the death.
The Poles had never beaten Germany in 14 internationals and in the opening quarter, it looked like this run would continue as Miroslaw Klose missed two good opportunities; the first on ten minutes brought a good low save from Boruc and the second on 20 minutes saw him flash a free-header wide from eight yards.
However, having been so disappointing in the first game, Poland came into the game more and looked comfortable and threatening on the break.
The second-half began in entertaining fashion but neither side could muster a decent chance on goal.
With a point looking a fair result, the game was changed on 74 minutes when Sobolewski, who had already been booked in the first-half, brought down Klose and was dismissed by Luis Medina Cantalejo.
This saw Germany flood forward and Boruc had to be at his best to keep them at bay.
First, Philipp Lahm attempted to repeat his goal against Costa Rica on 80 minutes but Boruc beat the ball away before moments later the former Celtic stopper denied Neuville at full-stretch.
Then the woodwork came to the Poles' rescue twice within seconds as Klose's close-range header struck the bar before Michael Ballack rattled the rebound against the frame of the goal.
It looked as if they might hang on but the Poles were then hit with a sucker-punch in the first minute of injury-time.
Substitute David Odonkor broke down the right and his cross was met at the front post by Neuville, who poked the ball into the corner to send the home crowd into delirium.