The Hindu : Sport : Germany, Argentina reach semifinals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 20, 2005

Sport

Sport

Germany, Argentina reach semifinals

FRANKFURT: Argentina and Germany are in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup.

In the eight-team warm-up for next year's World Cup finals, Argentina topped Australia 4-2 on three goals by Luciano Figueroa and a first-half penalty by Juan Riquelme. John Aloisi scored both for Australia, giving him a total of four to lead the tournament's scorers.

In the other Group A match, Germany defeated African champion Tunisia 3-0 on Saturday on a 74th-minute penalty by Michael Ballack and late goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger and substitute Mike Hanke.

The South Americans wasted no time taking control in their match in Nuremberg.

Argentina went ahead in the 12th minute on Figueroa's goal off a series of well-worked passes around the area. Riquelme converted a 32nd-minute penalty to make to 2-0. Singapore referee Shamsul Maidin made the call when Lucas Neill brought down Javier Saviola on the right side of the box.

Figueroa, who plays for Spanish club team Villarreal, broke through again in the 53rd, swivelling from 14 metres and driving a left-footed shot behind goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. After John Aloisi made it 3-2, Figueroa got his third in the 89th, chipping home from close range.

Figueroa is one of a half dozen strikers bidding to play for Argentina, the only South American team to qualify so far for the World Cup.

``It's very important for me,'' Figueroa said. ``It's a beautiful thing for me to be among those who are being tried out. It was a super opportunity for me tonight to score three goals and show what I'm worth.''

``Now we have to beat Germany to win the group,'' he added. ``We're always out to win, and it should be a beautiful game.''

Australia has given up eight goals in two games, upsetting coach Frank Farina. Australia lost 4-3 to Germany earlier.

``I was disappointed at the goals we gave away,'' he said.

Added goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer: ``All I did was pull the ball out of the goal. But we can't forget the teams we were playing.''

The tournament continues to be high-scoring with 25 goals in the first six games — more than four per game. With five World Cup titles between them, the two were under pressure to advance.

"Everyone expected us to win the first two games, but now comes a great challenge," Ballack said. "We are looking forward to it."

With six points each, Germany and Argentina play in Nuremberg on Tuesday in the final group game. The winner of the group will probably avoid Brazil in the semifinals, which is the favourite in Group B. If the game is a draw, Germany will take the group because it has a better goal difference. — AP

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