Podolski, Klose Goals Have Germany Up 2-0 At Half Over Australia

Germany has had an easy time of it through 45 minutes in Durban, with goals from Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose not only giving the favorites a 2-0, halftime lead but also assuaging fears that poor Bundesliga form would carry into the World Cup for two of Germany’s starting attackers.

Podolski and Klose combined for only five league goals in Germany this season, but with an eighth minute finish through Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, Podolski gave the first hint that the duo that combined for eight goals in Germany 2006 will be formidable in South Africa.

The opening goal’s movement started with a ball played through the line for Thomas Muller to the right of goal. The attacker cut a pass back through the box, finding Podolski to the goal’s right, for the opportunity. Podolski’s left-footed shot hit Schwarzer’s right hand flush but had enough on it to continue into the side netting at the near post, making it 1-0.

Australia, who had set out with a very conservative team that omitted Joshua Kennedy and Mark Bresciano, persisted with their approach of providing little pressure in favor of maintaining as much of their shape as possible. This led to a half dominated by Germany, with midfielder Mesut Ozil (amongst others) easily moving the ball through the Australian defense.

The Socceroos’ unwillingness to apply pressure to the ball led to the second goal, with Philipp Lahm given time to float a cross toward the spot from the right flank. Klose beat an on-coming Schwarzer to the ball and headed the second goal into an open net.

Klose was the leading scorer at Germany 2006 with five goals. His goal against Australia was his 49th goal for Germany.