Pleasant Player Surprises So Far
June 20, 2005
Inter Milan's star striker Adriano was racing alone towards Mexican keeper Oswaldo Sanchez and had the opportunity to put the Selecao in the lead. With only light pressure from behind and Sanchez charging from the line, Adriano looked for the lower right-hand corner and pushed it just outside the right post. The shot was not exactly one for the schoolbooks.
At halftime, German television commentator and former national player Günter Netzer jumped all over one of the world's best players.
"(Germany's) Lukas Podolski would not have missed that shot," Netzer said on German television. And it wasn't just pure jingoistic banter on his part.
Just over two weeks ago Podolski scored a similar goal against Northern Ireland -- with a defender pulling on his arm and the goalkeeper much closer to him.
Lukas Podolski, only 20 years old, has made his mark in a short time. Last June was his first appearance with the German squad but it wasn't until his two-goal performance against Thailand last December that he made his breakthrough. Since then, "Prince Poldi" has accumulated another three goals in five matches.
The FC Cologne striker just bubbles over with enthusiasm for the game. For many a young player, this excitement degenerates into arrogance and a failure to make the right decision at important points in a game. Podolski, however, acts like a seasoned veteran.
On Saturday, he made the key pass that led to the foul against Michael Ballack in the Tunisian penalty box, and in turn the go-ahead goal. Minutes later, he fed his close friend Sebastian Schweinsteiger the pass that put Germany up 2-0, all in his home stadium in Cologne. Scoring goals naturally would have been more spectacular, but his assists put Jürgen Klinsmann's side through to the semi-finals.
John Aloisi top scorer after two matches
Adriano and Robinho from Brazil. Or Argentina's Juan Roman Riquleme. Also host country Germany's midfielder Michael Ballack. These are some of the names that people had on their list as possible top scorers. But Socceroo John Aloisi? Who's he, let alone at which club does he earn his keep?
Well, to answer the first question, Aloisi has scored four goals against two the Confedrations Cup favorites, Germany and Argentina and leads the chase for the Golden Boot in the tournament. For those who might make light of the fact that his 21 goals in 34 matches for the Roos came against lightweights like the Solomon Islands or Papua New Guinea in the Oceania Confederation now have to eat their words.
The good performance couldn't have come at a better time for the 29-year old striker. That's how the second question can be answered. His contract with Spanish side Osasuna will expire at the end of the month and it won't be extended.
So, he's looking for a new employer. Two Premiereship sides have shown interest.
"I could picture myself playing in the Bundesliga," is what he told the sport magazine Kicker.
Another goal or two in the Socceroos' final match against Tunisia would turn enough heads in Germany to make that a possibility.
One out of three is bad
Mexico's Jared Borgetti could have been the tragic figure on Sunday night against Brazil. Despite missing on two of three penalty attempts in the 30th minute, the final one saved by Brazilian keeper Dida, he shook off the failures.
In the 59th minute, he headed in what would be the game winner for the "Tri." In the process, Mexico has turned into a nemesis for the five-time world champions Brazil. Starting with the Confed Cup final in 1999, which Mexico won over the Selecao 4-3, Mexico have beaten the Brazilian five times, losing only once and drawing once.
This victory has put Mexico in the semi-finals while tournament favorite Brazil must at least achieve a tie against Japan to secure the second group B semi-final spot.