Poldi on target, good results for Owen, Willy and Ali

FCBayernNews · News fetcher Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1240 votes: 2

03.09.2006

Bayern's international contingent will look back on Saturday evening as thoroughly productive in the battle for qualifying points. The Germany trio including match-winning goal scorer Lukas Podolski, Willy Sagnol of France and England's Owen Hargreaves started out on Euro 2008 qualifying with victories, while a draw for Iranian star Ali Karimi represented a good return in qualification for next year's Asian Cup.

The biggest win of the day fell to Owen Hargreaves with England in their first Euro 2008 group match. Owen again convincingly anchored the midfield in a routine 5-0 victory against rank outsiders Andorra. Hargreaves played the full 90 minutes, twice coming within inches of scoring his first international goal in his 36th senior appearance, but the Bayern man was unlucky to hit the post from long range on 31 and 63 minutes.

France down Georgia

In new boss Steve McClaren's first match in charge, and without suspended Wayne Rooney, England predictably controlled proceedings from start to finish, the goals coming from Jermaine Defoe (2), strike partner Peter Crouch (2) and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

France also lived up to their billing as favourites as Willy Sagnol and the defeated World Cup finalists eased to a 3-0 victory in Tbilisi against Georgia, now coached by former Leverkusen boss Klaus Toppmöller. Florent Malouda (7), Louis Saha (15) and a Malchas Asatiani own goal (46) were enough for a comfortable away win.

Podolski rides his luck

Lukas Podolski was responsible for Germany's successful start on the road to Switzerland and Austria in 2008. The Bayern striker's deflected free-kick on 57 minutes was enough for the Germans to register an ultimately deserved victory over battling Ireland on Saturday evening, the home side's first triumph against the men from the Emerald Isle in 27 years.

The first competitive match under newly-installed boss Joachim Löw saw the majority of the side which finished third at the World Cup take the field, including regular Bayern trio Podolski, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm, although the latter switched sides to right-back to cover for injuries.

"We always knew Ireland were a good side. They got stuck in and tackled hard," Schweinsteiger commented after the final whistle. "But we created the better chances, so we did deserve to win." The 53,198 capacity crowd in Stuttgart could easily have seen their heroes score more often with a little more luck in front of goal.

Iran in South Korea

Over in Asia, Ali Karimi played a starring role as Iran continued their promising progress towards the 2007 Asian Cup. However, Karimi and his men were facing defeat away to South Korea at 1-0 down seconds before the final whistle, only for former Bayern man Vahid Hashemian to grab a crucial stoppage-time equaliser. Karimi played the full match and came close to scoring with eight minutes remaining. South Korea had taken the lead on the stroke of half-time through Seol Ki-hyun.

With half the six-match qualifying programme completed, South Korea lead the group on seven points, followed by Iran on five and Syria on four. Karimi and company visit the Syrians on Wednesday, with the potential to take a giant stride towards the Asian Cup should they win. The tournament takes place in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam in July next year.

MUTU

It's good for Poldi's confidence even if he was a bit lucky Smile

devilbest · Getting the hang of it Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 12

The Germany trio including match-winning goal scorer Lukas Podolski Smile

podolski4life

Hope this'll be his breakthrough.

MUTU

I think it's a bit different though. Psychologically he knows he still hasn't scored for Bayern. Scoring for Germany is another thing. It will boost his confidence, but still he needs to get off the mark with Bayern...

Mirage

Yeah you're right, scoring for Bayern will be weighing on his mind BUT like, he needs to be given the chance. He needs to start.
Hargreaves got about three good attempts actually. He blasted them real far and they were so close to going in. A few idiots in the crowd were booing him at one point for fouling someone, but it didn't last because a few seconds later he nearly scored again. Lol.

MUTU

Yes you're right, it's never easy to come off the bench and bag a goal.

wanaminah · Getting the hang of it Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 13

poldi is so good eh..