Sunday, June 20, 2010

Hero Jovanovic Sinks Germany

Milan Jovanovic was the Serbian hero as they completed a shock World Cup victory over 10-man Germany on Friday lunchtime.

The forward - who will reportedly sign for Liverpool on a Bosman free this summer - struck the only goal of the contest to throw Group D wide open.

His performance during a 79-minute outing will have impressed Kopites on a day when one of the World Cup favourites were humbled.

The Germans had looked like taking an early lead on seven minutes when Lukas Podolski flashed wide after a neat team move.

Their chances were severely dented on 37 minutes, however, following a clownish decision by Spanish referee Alberto Undiano, who dismissed Miroslav Klose with two innocuous yellow cards.

A minute later the Serbs took the lead when a Milos Krasic cross was headed back across goal by Nikola Zigic for an unmarked Jovanovic to thrust beyond the 'keeper from three yards.

Joachim Low's men almost hit back on the stroke of half-time when Sami Khedira walloped the crossbar, while Bastian Schweinsteiger stung the hands of the Serbian goalkeeper nine minutes after the restart.

Podolski was next to threaten after going one-on-one with Vladimir Stojkovic but the striker dragged harmlessly wide. Seconds later the 2006 Young Player of the Tournament squandered another opportunity - and on 60 minutes his day would go from bad to worse when his penalty following a Nemanja Vidic handball was saved.

Jovanovic very nearly sealed the points for Serbia when he curled against the post following a smart run from Krasic, while Zigic rattled the bar after climbing above his man.

No comments: