Disciplined European giants overcome inconsistency to thump South American team 4-0
Germany skipper Jann-Fiete Arp's brace guided his side to 4-0 win over Colombia and into quarterfinals here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday.
This victory came as a surprise for two reasons— Germany were thumped by Iran in the league game with similar margin just six days back. And, Colombia defeated a tough team like the US to dislodge them from top spot from Group A in their last league game.
But Monday was altogether a different day for these two teams. Colombian physical play failed to distract the disciplined German unit. As both teams were trying to judge each other. A fumble by Colombian goalkeeper Kevin Mier, who failed to collect a loose ball from Jann-Fiete, allowed Arp to net one from a tight angle.
After the goal, Colombia pressed harder for an equaliser. Yadir Meneses looked dangerous with his ball play and even came close to drawing the score level on at least two occasions in the first quarter but his left foot failed to find the net. Robert Mejia, Meneses and captain Thomas Gutierrez all took aim at the German goal but failed to test goalkeeper Luca Plogmann.
Germans also had their gameplan ready. They appeared to have adapted to the Delhi weather better than they did in Goa and Kochi, where they played their previous two games. This was reason that Germans answered Colombian attack with fiery counters that put their opponents in a dilemma as to whether go for an all-out attack or keep three defenders back to check for counters.
John Yeboah kept pushing for the second but failed to find the back of the net. Finally in the 39th minute, defender Yann Bisseck cannoned the ball into goal.
After Germany went 2-0 up the Colombian defence did not look the the same throughout the remaining game. The Colombian must have felt a great relief when Yeboah almost came close to scoring from the right flank just before the lemon break.
The second-half saw Germany dominate even more and soon it was their skipper Arp again who caught Colombian defence off guard with his skillful tackle to set up an empty net for Yeboah to take the scoreline to 3-0.
Colombians were by then had lost all the steam. Their body language said it all as Germans played more and more inside Colombian striking area. German skipper grabbed his second in the game after his well-controlled chip went over diving Mier to make it 4-0.
The Germans did not allow the South Americans to come back into the game after the second goal. The Colombians failed to put pressure on Plogmann and the only time they came close was when Juan Vidal free-kick went inches away from the goal.
The only setback for the victors was when winger Dennis Jastrzembski was shown yellow card that would rule him out of the Sunday's quarter-final through suspension.
Germany will now take on the winners of Brazil vs Honduras game that is slated to be played in Kolkata on Sunday.
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