Still a lot of sand in the gears: The German soccer players beat Vietnam 2-1, a month before the World Cup there is still a lot of work to do.
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg spoke plain language after the extremely tough form check for the World Cup. “That’s not how we want to play football,” said the national coach after the 2-1 (1-0) win against Vietnam in Offenbach and announced stressful weeks to her players: “There’s still a lot to do in all areas to work and to do a lot.”
In fact, the penultimate test before the world title mission revealed a lot of sand in the gears. At the World Cup casting a month before the opening game in Australia against Morocco, at least Paulina Krumbiegel (TSG Hoffenheim/3.) and Janina Minge (80./SC Freiburg) scored plus points in the fight for one of the coveted squad places within the motley team. Thi Thanh Nha Nguyen scored in added time (90+2) for the outsider.
Voss-Tecklenburg’s face darkened, especially after the late counter-goal. “We’re not satisfied. But we had to throw the team together today. It wasn’t just about the fact that we wanted to see certain players, we also had to bring them,” she said on “ZDF”.
The European runners-up are now continuing their World Cup preparations in Herzogenaurach, with the dress rehearsal taking place on July 7th in Fürth against Zambia. Then the quintet from FC Bayern, who only sat in the stands in the stadium on Bieberer Berg, will also be available.
After the dispute between the DFB and the champions, the Munich women were only allowed to arrive the day before, three days after the actual meeting point. Since the Champions League finalists from Wolfsburg around Alexandra Popp should also be largely rested, there were only two regulars in the DFB starting lineup in Frohms (Wolfsburg) and Sara Däbritz (Olympique Lyon). The subsequently nominated Melissa Kössler (TSG Hoffenheim) made her debut up front.
DFB defense with problems
“It’s about the World Cup places, so we gave the players a chance, who may have to bring in more than other established players,” announced Voss-Tecklenburg before kick-off. Only 23 of the currently 30 players can travel to the finals (July 20th to August 20th) – and after good preliminary work by the conspicuous Nicole Anyomi (Eintracht Frankfurt), winger Krumbiegel shone with her remarkable back-heel hit.
But the uncoordinated German defense revealed problems in front of 13,652 fans, Frohms (15th) cleared a shot by Hai Yen Pham, captain of the World Cup newcomer, in the style of a handball goalkeeper with the leg. Set-up problems could not be overlooked after three days of preparation, Frohms (42nd) had to show all her skills when Thi Van Duong shot from long-range. Voss-Tecklenburg was very annoyed on the sidelines.
After the break, the national coach brought in Melanie Leupolz (Chelsea FC) and Marina Hegering (Wolfsburg) two seasoned players. Laura Freigang (Frankfurt/55th) and Kössler (60th) missed the next German chances. At the other end, Thi Thuy Hang Nguyen (77′) hit the side netting before substitute Minge scored her first international goal in the second game. The late consolation goal caused a lot of cheering from the guests.