ACTUALITE |
22.06.2002
`Keeper Kahn the hero as Germany move into semi-finals
ULSAN
Michael Ballack scored the only goal as Germany beat United States 1-0 here Friday - but the three-time champions must thank goalkeeper Oliver Kahn for their first appearance at the World Cup semi-finals in 12 years.
Kahn made a series of spectacular saves as the American upstarts showed they would not go down without a fight in a tense and fiercely-fought quarter final.
Bayern Munich-bound midfielder Ballack rose powerfully to head a 39th-minute Christian Ziege free kick from the right past US goalkeeper Brad Friedel, securing a semi-final against South Korea or Spain in Seoul next Tuesday.
The last time Germany reached the last four was in 1990 when they went on to win the tournament.
Kahn said he was impressed with the Americans` performance at the Ulsan Munsu Stadium but stressed the Germans would need to play better if they wanted to reach the final.
"The Americans pushed us to dig deep into our last reserves. They were unbelievably fit.
"We threw everything we had at them and in the second half we let them them pin us back too much.
"We are not happy with the way we played, but in two days` time no one will remember that.
"What is important is that we`re in the semi-finals. And if you`re in the semi-finals of the World Cup, that means you are one of the four best teams.
"But to reach the final we have to try to play better football and perform well over the entire 90 minutes."
A relieved Germany coach Rudi Voller said Kahn had been the match-winner for his side.
"Oliver Kahn saved our lives so many times in the first half. We knew if we wanted to get far in this World Cup then we needed a fantastic Oliver Kahn.
"I think we are pretty lucky to have got into the semi-finals, but I am not happy with the performance.
"We need to do better or the semi-finals will be the end of the road for us."
Goal-scorer Ballack said: "We put the pressure on, but we had problems finding space.
"We knew dead-ball situations were our strength. It was a tough bit of work, but things worked out and we are happy to be in the semis."
It was Ballack`s second goal of the tournament and one which gave Germany a brief period of domination. Four minutes later Miroslav Klose, the tournament`s joint leading scorer with five goals, headed against a post.
Until Ballack`s strike, the United States seemed in charge with Kahn under continual pressure.
Landon Donovan had the first real chance in the 18th minute, beating Ziege and then firing a left-foot shot that forced a diving save from Kahn.
After 30 minutes Donovan was put clear again but as the 20-year-old hesitated, Kahn narrowed the gap and was able to parry the shot wide of the post.
Germany were also dangerous on the counter-attack and Oliver Neuville`s overhead kick in the 34th minute went straight into the face of US midfielder Eddie Lewis, who probably stopped a German goal.
Within seconds Donovan found Lewis clear on the edge of the German penalty area and Kahn could only fist away Lewis` shot.
The Americans, in the quarter-finals for the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 1930, pressed for an equaliser early in the second half.
There was immediate controversy as Kahn made another spectacular save from a poked shot in the penalty area from Gregg Berhalter. The ball came off the goalpost and Torsten Frings` arm stopped it going over the line.
Scottish referee Hugh Dallas refused US demands for a goal and did not give a penalty either.
Berhalter said he believed a penalty should have been awarded.
"It wasn`t a goal but I thought it was a handball. Kahn saved it and it hit the guy`s hand," he said.
"I can honestly say we were a little unlucky. With a bit more luck we could well be in the semis of the World Cup."
US coach Bruce Arena refused to point to the incident as the reason his team failed to score.
"The match was about chances. We had a lot but could not score. The Germans had two and converted one and that was the difference.
"We have seen it before even when the Germans don`t play well they can get good results. They are a big team, a strong team and they play to get fouls in the last third of the pitch."
Arena contrasted his team`s spirited performance in their surprising charge to the last eight with the 1998 finals when a bitterly divided US team failed to score a point and were beaten 2-0 by Germany in their opening game.
"If you look at the opening game of the `98 World Cup and this closing game today we have made a lot of progress," Arena said.
"I was disappointed with the result but proud of my team."
Kahn was nearly caught out in the 60th minute when he ran out of the penalty area to clear the ball but it only went as far as US skipper Claudio Reyna who lobbed the ball from near the halfway line, narrowly missing the German goal.
As tensions mounted and shirts were pulled, Dallas booked Germany`s Sebastian Kehl and Neuville and Americans Reyna, Pablo Mastroeni and Berhalter in less than five minutes.
Germany defended furiously for the last 15 minutes. Tony Sanneh headed narrowly wide in the dying seconds but Germany held on to extend their unbeaten record at the finals.
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