2010 World Cup: Germany v Serbia half time report
Germany 0 Serbia 1
A harsh sending off for Germany striker Miroslav Klose has left the three-time World Cup winners with a major uphill struggle going into the second half against Serbia, who scored their first goal of the tournament through Milan Jovanovic.
Klose was shown his second yellow card on the 34th minute by Spanish referee Alberto Undiano for an innocuous challenge on Dejan Stankovic, and the Serbians capitalised on their man advantage just a minute later.
Lukas Podolski was presented with Germany’s first real sight of goal on the sixth minute but could only fire his venomous volley wide of Vladimir Stojkovic’s goal from the edge of Serbia’s penalty area.
Just minutes later, Serbia then had a similar chance of their own. A decent cross from Milos Krasic found Milos Ninkovic in acres of space on the edge of the box, but his volley failed to trouble Manuel Neuer in the Germany goal.
Radomir Antic’s side looked far more organised compared to their opening match against Ghana, but the Germans still looked the most likely team to score.
On the half hour mark, Miroslav Klose did have the ball in the back of the net. However, the offside whistle had long gone by this point.
With all seemingly going well for the Germans, just five minutes later the whole dynamic of the match was to be turned on its head. The Spanish referee had already been handing out yellow cards for fun, and so when Klose made a late challenge on Stankovic, it was no surprise to see Undiano brandish a second yellow in the direction of the prolific striker.
Clearly buoyed by Klose’s dismissal, Serbia responded immediately by taking the lead. A perfect ball from the byline by Krasic found Nikola Zigic at the backpost. The 6’ 8” striker effortlessly knocked the ball down to Jovanovic in the six yard box, and the winger kept his composure to slot the ball past Neuer for the opener.
Germany were left stunned, reeling from the events of the past two minutes.
But on the stroke of half-time, a goalmouth scramble nearly resulted in an invaluable equaliser. Sami Khedira fierce shot only cannoned off the bar, though, and Serbia hold their one goal lead going into the second half.
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