Germany’s chances of winning FIFA World Cup 2010
Before the tournament started, Germany were being considered the outsiders to win the World Cup this time around, as they were missing a number of their established players including their captain Michael Ballack. However, as the tournament progressed, they showed impressive form and are now among the serious contenders to win World Cup glory (and their fourth world title). This is because of the stellar performances of their young players Sami Khedira, Thomas Muller, and especially the playmaker Mesut Ozil. They are settled in the team formation as if they were playing in the team for many years, but the fact is that the trio has just been included in the German senior team after their extraordinary performance in the 2009 Under-21 European Championships, where they beat England in the final by 4-0. Khedira was captaining his side then, which shows his leadership qualities; Muller has talent waiting to be polished, whereas Ozil, undoubtedly the find of this World Cup, has made the whole of Germany forget the loss of Ballack. The German team’s average age is under 26 years, which makes it the country’s youngest ever squad playing in a World Cup.
In fact, Germany was the first team in this World Cup to show their title winning credentials. Their 4-0 routing of Australia in their opening Group D match was the only performance of some notice by any team in the first round of group matches. Germany was in total control of the match whereas all other big-name teams struggled to settle in, as France, England, Italy and Portugal failed to win, Argentina and Brazil won by only a goal’s margin, while the pre-tournament top favourite team, Spain, lost in their respective opening matches. However, Germany was brought back to ground when they were defeated by Serbia in the second group match by 1-0. The Germans played the most of the match with 10 players after Miroslav Klose received two yellow cards in the first half as the referee was in the mood of splashing cards generously. This loss was probably a blessing in disguise, as it was necessary for the team to forget their excellent performance in the first match and take every following match seriously. Germany won the last group match against Ghana 1-0 to finish the group on top position with 6 points.
Germany faced England in the Round of 16 in the most anticipated match of the second round. Germany was cruising right from the start and leading 2-0, when England brought the deficit to a goal and then actually equalised within the space of a minute, but Frank Lampard’s legitimate “goal” was not given when it clearly had crossed the goal line. It was a repeat of the infamous controversy in the 1966 World Cup final played between the two teams, but this time the Germans were on the better side. Germany took back control of the match right away and seemed the only team of the two to have the ability of scoring more goals. They scored two more goals in the second half to complete a 4-1 thumping of their fierce rivals and confirm their place in the quarterfinals in the eighth consecutive World Cup starting from Spain in 1982.
Germany will face Argentina next, following an encounter in the 1990 World Cup final, and more recently, the 2006 World Cup quarterfinal. Playing at home turf four years ago, Germany came from behind to take the match to a penalty shootout, where Germany scored all four of their penalties after Argentina had missed two. Many would back the Argentineans to take revenge of that defeat this time around, but this is not going to be any easy task for them. German coach Joachim Lowe has organised his team very well, which can create goal-scoring chances against any stubborn defence and is well capable to keep even the likes of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain at bay. If Germany wins this match, they will be facing Spain or Paraguay for place in the final match against the Netherlands or Uruguay.
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