Germany Plays Textbook Soccer - Defeats the Netherland 3-0

The 2nd ranked Netherlands met 3rd ranked European club Germany in a Friendly.  Germany wasted litttle time to start dominating the match.   Jogi Loew decided to go with just one striker and gave Miroslav Klose the nod over Mario Gomez.  The decision paid off.  There was excellent interaction between Klose, Mueller and Ozil.  Ozil was involved in every goal. Germany defeated the Netherlands 3-0

After testing each other for the first few minutes of the match, Germany dominated quickly in the first half .   With quick counters especially with good combinations from Mueller to Oezil and then Klose, the Dutch defence was often overburdened during the first half.   Snijder, who picked up a yellow card, mostly out of frustration, was able to direct the team of the Dutch offence.  At the end of the first 45, the 2-0 German lead humbled the Netherlands.

Thomas Mueller scored the first goal after just 15 minutes into the match when a long pass by Toni Kroos from the left side to Klose, who took his time and pushed the ball to the penalty spot, where Mueller moved onto the ball and pushed it into the corner of the net.  1-0 lead for Germany was perfect.

Klose made it 2-0 for Germany in the 26th minute.  Picture perfect passes and a soccer textbook goal showed the class of the German side.  Mueller moves on the ball on the move  and passes it on the right flank.  Ozil one times it in the direction of the 16 metre area to Klose, who anticipated the ball and heads the ball into the net.  This was Klose's 63rd international goal. 

The score remained at 2-0 at the 45.  Hummels comes into the match replacing Badstuber at the start of the second half.

The Dutch came out a little more determined in the second half, but the German side continued to play brilliant soccer.  Oezil made it 3-0 in the 66th minute.   Klose picks up the ball on the right side and passes it to Mueller who takes a few steps and passes it to Ozil, who makes a perfect delivery to Klose and then back to Ozil, who easily puts it into the net.

Overall Germany had a convincing victory.  The defence was solid and Loew's decision to work with one striker paid off.  Germany is in a good position prior to start the European Championship.  No doubt, this victory will give it the confidence to succeed.  

Starting Line Ups (Brackets indicate age followed by caps)

Germany-1 Neuer/Bayern München (25 Jahre/25 Länderspiele) - 20 Boateng/Bayern München (23/19), 17 Mertesacker/FC Arsenal (27/79), 14 Badstuber/Bayern München (22/18), 4 Aogo/Hamburger SV (24/9) - 18 Kroos/Bayern München (21/24), 6 Khedira/Real Madrid (24/24) - 13 Müller/Bayern München (22/25), 8 Özil/Real Madrid (23/30), 10 Podolski (26/95) - 11 Klose/Lazio Rom (33/113)

The Netherlands 1 Stekelenburg/AS Rom (29/44) - 2 van der Wiel/Ajax Amsterdam (23/29), 3 Heitinga/FC Everton (28/74), 4 Mathijsen/FC Malaga (31/78), 5 Braafheid/1899 Hoffenheim (28/10) - 6 van Bommel/AC Mailand (34/73), 8 Strootman/PSV Eindhoven (21/10) - 7 Kuyt/FC Liverpool (31/84), 10 Sneijder/Inter Mailand (27/80), 11 Babel/1899 Hoffenheim (24/42) - 9 Huntelaar/Schalke 04 (28/49)

Germany Meets The Netherlands in Friendly - Preview

The top three rated international sides in Europe are 1. Spain, 2. The Netherlands and 3. Germany.  Tomorrow Hamburg will be the stage for a friendly match between Germany and the Netherlands.  Both teams have qualified for the European Championship in 2012 with co-hosts Ukraine and Poland. 

Germany managed a draw against the Ukraine in Kiew on Friday, with just under 70,000 spectators.  With not much to lose, except some German pride, Jogi Loew tested a few newcomers and left Neuer, Klose, Lahm out of the match.  Midfield director Bastian Schweinsteiger is out until after Christmas with a collar bone injury.  Miroslav Klose also missed the match due to injuries.

Germany marched qualified for the European Championship with ten victories in ten matches.  Loew will not attempt his 3-5-2 system in this match.  It often left the defence wide open and allowed for quick counters by the Ukraine.  Two of the Ukraine goals were achieved after corner kicks.  So, in all likelihood a 4-4-2 system will be used with Klose and Gomez taking the point.

Germany's Likely Starters:

Neuer- Höwedes, Mertesacker, Badstuber, Aogo – Khedira, Rolfes – T. Müller, Podolski – Gomez, Klose

 There will be strength on the German bench as well with:   Oezil, Goetze, Schuerrle and Kroos.  


The Netherlands are no slouches either and will likely play a 4-2-3-1 formation. 

Holland is also qualified as the winner of its group for the European championship.  The were defeated once against Sweden.  The offensive line-up of the team is strong with international super stars like Arjen Robben, Weslie Snijder, Robin van Persie, Van der Vaart and Kuyt.  It is no accident that this team was in the World Cup final in South Africa. 

Likely Starters for The Netherlands:

Stekelenburg – van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Braafheid – van Bommel, Strootman – Kuyt, Sneijder, Babel – Huntelaar

The match promises to be an exciting one.  In the end, the final result, which should be close will be decided in the midfield and by the team with the strongest defence.  Gomez and Klose are in competition with each other, but in a friendly way.  This competition is good for the team.

My prediction is that it will be close match, with Germany making use of the home advantage and defeating Holland 2-1.  No matter what the final result, it should be a delight for the spectators.