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Last Updated: Apr 9, 2007 - 12:46:40 AM |
MORE impressive than the win itself was the way they won it.
Host nation Germany opened the World Cup with a solid 4-2 win over Costa Rica, a scoreline that will hardly please the purists but was the ideal match for such a stage -- a stage looking to appeal to more than just the hardcore soccer fan -- much like Australian viewers.
With an estimated worldwide TV audience of 1.5 billion people -- the follow-on from the opening ceremony less than an hour earlier -- the match soon developed into an attacking spectacle, with shot after shot raining down on goals.
Three goals were scored in the first 20 minutes, opening the game completely.
"There was a touch of nervousness -- that's normal," German coach Juergen Klinsmann said. "We are delighted. It is looking positive after this."
Around that start Costa Rican goalie Jose Porras must have felt like a duck in a shooting gallery as the Germans flexed their strikepower.
Even without injured skipper Michael Ballack, Germany led after only seven minutes when an innocuous cross kick found defender Phillip Lahm hovering on the left side, Lahm left with a perfect opportunity after his defender Danny Fonseca slipped over.
A slick right foot was all Lahm needed.
Costa Rica replied five minutes later when the German defence appeared to give up for an apparent offside, a mistake revealed by replays.
Striker Paulo Wanchope was onside and in perfect position to slip one past goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.
It set up the perfect start to the match, with both sides at it like bar-room sluggers and defence only a minor consideration.
Germany had the best of it, but the Costa Ricans had just enough pluck to stay within strike, a genuine concern for the Germans who were keen to take advantage of the huge stage upon which they found themselves.
When else have they got to play before a billion people in their home World Cup?
Yet even when Germany extended the lead to 3-1, seemingly ending all hope for their rivals, Wanchope replied with his second goal -- this time he was certainly offside -- to keep the Germans from relaxing.
It finally took a cannon from midfielder Torsten Frings to end the Costa Ricans' hopes.
Frings's goal will already be in the running for goal of the tournament, a shot that rang from 30m out and beat the outstretched hand of Porras as the ball swung away from him.
"We can take a lot of positive things out of today; this is fun," said Klinsmann, clearly showing no concerns for his team's lax defensive effort.
German legend and World Cup ambassador Franz Beckenbauer was less diplomatic, highlighting the concern in the defence and the concern of soccer purists.
"It really pleased me as opening matches go," he said. "It was not perhaps the most attractive match."
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