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Germany beats Ireland in EURO 2008 qualifier

Nigel Tandy

Podolski scores winner

https://p.dw.com/p/87rT
Germany's Lukas Podolski celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Group D match in StuttgartImage: AP
EM-Qualifikation 2008, Miroslav Klose im irischen Strafraum
Germany's Miroslav Klose, left, challenges for the ball with Ireland's Andy O'BrienImage: AP

Germany gave new coach Joachim Low the perfect start to his reign with a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in their first Group D qualifying match of the Euro 2008 campaign here on Saturday.

Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski scored the decisive goal on 57 minutes but Ireland will feel hard done by as the free-kick took a cruel deflection off captain Robbie Keane.

Group favourites Germany will not care one iota as they head
into Wednesday's qualifier at San Marino with three points on the board.

"We analysed Ireland and when you see that they have players at big clubs such as Tottenham, Liverpool, Newcastle, you know they are a good team," Löw said.

EM-Qualifikation 2008, Irlands Trainer Stephen Staunton
Ireland's coach Stephen Staunton gestures during the match between Germany and the Republic of Ireland at the Gottlieb-Daimler stadium in StuttgartImage: AP

"We were slow at the start but we had two or three good chances in the first half and we upped the tempo in the hope that a goal would come.

"The goal came, somewhat fortuituously, but we are delighted to get the three points. We now want to make that six with a win over San Marino."

For Ireland coach Steve Staunton it was a disappointing beginning but he has time to get things right as their next qualifier is against Cyprus on October 7.

"The players are as sick as parrots because they knew they
should have got something out of this game. I feel the same," said Staunton.

A spate of injuries forced Löw, who succeeded Jurgen Klinsmann after the World Cup, to field Arne Friedrich and Manuel Friedrich in a makeshift central defensive pairing.

Ireland coach Staunton welcomed back Newcastle United winger Damien Duff, star striker Keane and goalkeeper Shay Given, who all missed the 4-0 friendly drubbing by the Netherlands last time out.

Tottenham Hotspur forward Keane scored a last-gasp equaliser in a 1-1 draw the last time the two teams met at the 2002 World Cup group stage and almost scored here after 90 seconds, heading Duff's cross marginally wide of the post.

Ireland had failed to sample the World Cup atmosphere in Germany this summer but were thriving on the carnival atmosphere in Stuttgart.

Hosts Germany, who beat Portugal 3-1 at this venue to finish
third at the World Cup, failed to carve the visitors open until the 28th minute.

World Cup Golden Boot winner Miroslav Klose looked destined to score but Given pulled off a great low save to turn his header behind for a corner.

Sixty seconds later Podolski stung the palms of Given again with a fierce left-footed drive.

Given thwarted Werder Bremen forward Klose again at the start of the second half this time using his legs.

But the Newcastle custodian could do nothing about the German goal, with Podolski's free-kick taking a freak deflection off the enthusiastic Keane to wrong foot the goalkeeper.

"There were a few decisions that did not go our way tonight but you can't do anything about it," said Staunton.

"If you look at the goal, the ball was going wide and then it
took a cruel deflection. That summed it up.

"However the lads did the jersey proud tonight and for the
supporters that were here and those who could not make it, that is what it's all about."

Klose rattled the crossbar shortly after with a header as
Germany pushed for a second.

Keane then had the ball in the net in the 70th minute for an
apparent equaliser but the effort was ruled out for offside.