Podolski double helps Germany brush Swedes aside
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-25 10:03
MUNICH, June 24 - Lukas Podolski struck twice in the first 12 minutes on
Saturday as hosts Germany swept into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win
over 10-man Sweden.
Germany's Lukas Podolski (front)
celebrates with team mate Bernd Schneider after scoring his team's second
goal against Sweden during their second round World Cup 2006 soccer match
in Munich June 24, 2006. [Reuters] | The
21-year-old striker scored after four minutes with a deflected drive and then
again eight minutes later with a precise finish from a clever pass by Miroslav
Klose as the three-times champions took masterful control.
Germany, performing with great power and belief and backed by extraordinary
support, will meet Argentina or Mexico in the last eight in Berlin on Friday.
Sweden were out-fought and, for spells, out-thought. They had a man sent off
and Henrik Larsson missed a second-half penalty on an afternoon they will wish
to forget.
Stunned by the Germans' high-tempo opening spell, they were reduced to 10 men
after 35 minutes when central defender Teddy Lucic was dismissed.
"It could not be better," said Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann.
"We went in highly concentrated but strangely enough the red card took our
rhythm away. The penalty could also have been a turning point but we are excited
by the team and how they played.
"It was a top operation. We were very prepared and we respected them,
especially the attacking trio. We did not want to concede a goal. We did not
want to give them any breathing space."
Sweden coach Lars Lagerback said he was still proud of his team but they had
never really recovered from losing Teddy Lukic in the 35th minute with a red
card for two bookings.
"It is difficult to beat anyone with 10 men, especially a team like Germany
but my players showed a lot of characther," Lagerback told reporters.
"I'm very proud of the way they played in the second half but we let in two
easy goals at the beginning. After that it was very difficult for us.
The luckless Lucic, who with partner Olof Mellberg struggled to contain the
movement and interchanges of Klose and Podolski, was dismissed for two yellow
cards in eight minutes for fouls on Klose.
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