Germany’s Defence Shows Cracks Before Disposing of Plucky Uzbeks

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June 16, 2018 (Match 6)

Germany’s Defence Shows Cracks Before Disposing of Plucky Uzbeks

Germany 4-2 Uzbekistan

Germany has rebounded from two goals down to prevail over a defiant Uzbekistan side.

 

The finalists in the last World Cup attacked from the outset and nearly had multiple goals in the first half hour, to no avail. Hummels set the tone with a header early from a corner, but Lobanov covered it easily. Lobanov also thwarted a one-on-one attack by Goretzka.

 

Suddenly, the Uzbeks clicked into attacking gear. Rashidov scored twice in three minutes. The first was a penetrative drive down the middle, while the German defenders marked the other Uzbek players. His strike from level with the penalty spot caught ter Stegen wrong-footed. The second did the same to the German goalkeeper, only this time the shot came from outside the box. 

 

Germany, not to be outdone, scored a goal through Özil, and nearly had a second with Hummel’s shot glancing Werner before flying over the bar. Özil’s goal, tapped in front of his run by Goretzka, was almost in slow motion as the Uzbek defenders stayed off him. The German easily slotted past the keeper, though the score remained 2-1 until the break.

 

Germany lifted a few gears in the second half, with a quick goal in the 53^rdminute. The German striker, Werner, played the ball out left to Reus, who cut it back to the penalty spot. Werner had run into this space, and powered his shot beyond Lobanov’s reach.

 

The game then became a struggle for both teams as they attempted to gain that elusive third goal to break the game open. Musayev veered a cross with his head towards the goal, only for ter Stegen to parry it away from goal. The Germans, thanks to Özil, spread the game and the Uzbek defenders. With five minutes left, substitute Khedira found an opening with a run. Uzbek defender Denisov took hold of the ball, only to clear it straight into the chest of Khedira. With a couple of steadying touches, he lined up the goal with his left and Germany gained the lead for the first time.

 

Deflated, the Uzbek defenders made another mistake. This time, Man of the Match Werner, challenged a slow-releasing Tuhtahujaev, who then raced into the box and fired a fourth goal for the European side. The game was effectively over, and the Germans ran out two-goal winners.

 

Uzbekistan certainly can hold their heads high, as they made the Germans work for their win. They will be encouraged as they now look to St Vincent and the Grenadines, while Germany will see Belgium as a bigger threat than Uzbekistan and must improve their defence to ensure a solid win.

 

Germany	4-2		Uzbekistan
16 10 49 12 0 2 62 84	Shots Shots on Target Possession % Tackles Fouls Corners Shot Accuracy % Pass Accuracy %		3 3 51 16 0 1 100 73
44’ #8 Özil (#7 Goretzka assist)     53’ #10 Werner (#9 Reus assist)    63’ #9 Reus off, #23 Gomez on    75’ #7 Goretska off, #6 Khedira on  85’ #6 Khedira  87’ #10 Werner  87’ #13 Muller off, #15 Gundogan on		39’ #4 Rashidov (#9 Akhmedov assist)  42’ #4 Rashidov (#9 Akhmedov assist)    45’ #7 Haydarov off, #18 Musayev on    59’ #11 Sergeev off, #21 Sokhibov on    73’ #14 Geynrich off, #6 Nasimov on