×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Classy Super Mario spells Dutch disaster

Sport
KHARKIV — Mario Gomez gave the Netherlands a lesson in finishing as Germany left their bitter rivals on the brink of an early exit from Euro 2012 with a 2-1 win on Wednesday night. The Bayern Munich striker turned sharply and slotted home Bastian Schweinsteiger’s pass before lashing in a brilliant second from the right. […]

KHARKIV — Mario Gomez gave the Netherlands a lesson in finishing as Germany left their bitter rivals on the brink of an early exit from Euro 2012 with a 2-1 win on Wednesday night.

The Bayern Munich striker turned sharply and slotted home Bastian Schweinsteiger’s pass before lashing in a brilliant second from the right. Robin van Persie, who had wasted a golden chance to put the Dutch ahead, gave them hope with a fine strike.

But Germany held on to all but cement their place in the quarter-finals.

While the Germans just need a point from their last game to reach the last eight, the Dutch face a monumental task.

They must beat Portugal on Sunday, hope Germany beat Denmark, and ensure they finish with a better goal difference than Portugal and the Danes.

The Dutch, who wasted 28 shots at goal in losing their opening game 1-0 to Denmark, made the brighter start when a long ball from Mark van Bommel caught the German defence napping.

Van Persie, as guilty as anyone of profligacy against the Danes, had time to take a touch, but instead chose a first-time volley, which was easily saved by Manuel Neuer. Germany hit back with a volleyed effort of their own as Mesut Ozil’s strike from the edge of the area cannoned off the near post and into the arms of the grateful Maarten Stekelenburg.

Most of the Netherlands’ attacking play was channelled through Arjen Robben on the right and the Bayern Munich winger was the provider for Van Persie’s next chance, slotting a pass through to the Arsenal striker, who dragged his right-footed effort wide. Ibrahim Affelay’s delivery was less reliable and, after breaking clear down the left, his low cross failed to pick out Van Persie in space in the middle.

Once again, the Dutch were made to pay for their inaccuracy, falling behind midway through the half to a moment of German precision. Thomas Mueller cut in from the right and fed Schweinsteiger, whose inch-perfect through-ball was brilliantly controlled on the spin by Gomez, who then wrong-footed the goalkeeper with his finish.

The goal seemed to devastate the Dutch — their early confidence on the ball deserting them, their body language that of a defeated team.