Klose double fires Germany to top spot
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-21 09:18
BERLIN, June 20 - Miroslav Klose struck twice to lead Germany to a 3-0
win over a half-hearted Ecuador on Tuesday, sealing first place in Group A for
the World Cup hosts.
Germany's Miroslav Klose (2nd L)
controls the ball before scoring his second goal against Ecuador's
Cristian Mora (L) during their Group A World Cup 2006 soccer match in
Berlin June 20, 2006. [Reuters] | Klose, who also scored two in the opening day 4-2 win over Costa Rica,
swooped for his first in the fourth minute of a match played in stifling
humidity at the Olympiastadion.
The Polish-born forward made it 2-0 just before the interval as Ecuador, who
go through to the last 16 in second spot, showed little desire to scrap it out.
Fellow striker Lukas Podolski slid in the third in the 57th minute after a
good cross from midfielder Bernd Schneider.
German coach Juergen Klinsmann said it was mission accomplished for a team
capturing the imagination of fans across the host nation.
"When you play at home you have the crowd behind you and that gives the
players an extra push. It's World Cup fever," Klinsmann said after the game.
"Our goal was to win the group and we achieved that. It was difficult to keep
the pace up because it was hot out there but overall we are happy and looking
forward to the knockout games."
Germany will play the runners-up in Group B -- either Sweden, Trinidad &
Tobago or England -- in the second round. Ecuador, who qualified in second place
after winning their first two games, will play the Group B winners - England or
Sweden.
KLOSE'S GOALS
Klose has now scored nine World Cup goals after a five-goal burst on
Germany's route to the final four years ago.
It had been clear before the start that the match meant more to Germany than
to Ecuador, who made five changes to the side that beat Costa Rica 3-0.
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