Despite a rash of injuries, barely scraping through the qualifying round and a mishmash lineup, three-time World Cup champion Germany trounced Saudi Arabia 8-0 Saturday in their opening match.
It was the largest margin of victory for Germany in tournament history. It was also the most lopsided World Cup victory since Hungary beat El Salvador by 10-1 in 1982 in Spain.
“As a former forward, I like my teams to score goals, though not necessarily eight,” said Rudi Voller, the German coach, who starred on the German national team in the 1980s and early 1990s. “We have to stay with our feet firmly planted in the carpet and go on preparing for the next game.”
The result also put the Germans in control of Group E after Ireland and Cameroon played to a 1-1 tie in Niigata earlier Saturday.
Saudi Arabia, one of four teams from Asia, including the two co-hosts and China, posed no threat. The Saudis mustered one shot on goal in the first half and little more in the second.
Instead, they spent their time chasing the Germans, who were spurred on by their captain, goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.
Though missing several standout defenders, Germany controlled the pace and flow of the game from the kickoff. Germany’s passes, both short and long, were sharp and deliberate as they quickly turned the game into a soccer clinic.
At the 20-minute mark, Miroslav Klose headed in a cross pass. Five minutes later, Klose did it again in much the same way, leaving Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al Deayea shaking his head. Just before half, Michael Ballack shot home a smooth pass. The observant crowd made an early beeline for the refreshments. Too bad, because they missed Carsten Jancker’s goal from close range.
Germany never eased up, though. Klose notched a hat trick with another header at the 70-minute mark. The corner kicks kept coming, too, and Thomas Linke knocked one into the net. Oliver Bierhoff drove home a liner after picking his man clean near the penalty arc. A free kick by Bernd Schneider ended the drubbing.
