Germany off to a flyer
Published:Monday | June 14, 2010 | 9:43 AM
Germany got their World Cup campaign off to a flyer with a thumping 4-0 win against Australia in Group ‘D’ yesterday.
Lukas Podolski opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a powerful strike, before Miroslav Klose doubled Germany\'s advantage before the break.
Australia\'s attacking midfielder Tim Cahill was given a straight red card for a foul on Bastian Schweinsteiger in the second half.
Germany took advantage of their numerical superiority as Thomas Muller scored with a shot in off the post, before Cacau scored from close range just a minute after coming on as a substitute.
Germany will next play Serbia on Friday, while Australia will face Ghana on Saturday.
Ghana also got their campaign off to a winning start by defeating 10-man Serbia 1-0 yesterday. An 85th minute penalty from Asamoah Gyan gave Ghana the victory.
In yesterday’s other game, Robert Koren’s late goal gave Slovenia a 1-0 victory over 10-man Algeria in their opening game in Polokwane to send them top of Group ‘C’.
The goal came just seven minutes after Desert Foxes substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal had seen red for two bookable offences.
Slovenia will next play the USA and Algeria will tackle England. Both games are scheduled for Friday.