Easy for Germany; Ireland go Dutch Hard-fought win for Spain

Easy for Germany; Ireland go Dutch Hard-fought win for Spain
Reuters

London, September 3: Former World champions Germany, looking to regain their pride after their dismal showing in Euro 2000, opened their World Cup qualifying camapign with a 2-0 win over Greece in Hamburg.

Goals from Sebastian Deisler -- his first for his country -- and an own goal by Greek libero Marinos Ouzounidis completed Germany's victory in a Group IX match on Saturday.

Most of the more powerful nations in action on the opening day of the European qualifying campaign won, with Spain beating Bosnia 2-1 in Sarajevo, the Czech Republic winning 1-0 in Bulgaria and improving Poland beating Ukraine 3-1 in Kiev.

Spain had to fight to win their opening Group VII qualifier 2-1 in Bosnia with goals from Gerard (39) and Joseba Etxeberria (72). Elvir Baljic scored for the home side after 41 minutes.

The Czech Republic scored a significant 1-0 win in bulgaria thanks to a 73rd-minute Karel Poborksy penalty.

Eight of the 16 matches ended in away wins with only four countries taking full advantage by collecting three points at home.

As well as Germany the others were Turkey, who beat Moldova 2-0 in a Group IV match in Istanbul, Belarus, who beat Wales 2-1 in Group V in Minsk and Finland, who beat Albania 2-1 in Helsinki.

But the Netherlands struggled against Ireland in Amsterdam, fighting back from 0-2 down to draw 2-2, while Belgium were held to a goalless draw in Brussels by Croatia.

Ireland raced into a 2-0 lead with goals from Robbie Keane (21) and Jason McAteer (65).

But the Dutch fought their way back with goals from substitute Jeffrey Talan (71) and Giovanni van Bronckhorst (84).

Emmanuel Olisadebe, a Nigerian-born striker who became a naturalised Pole a month ago, scored twice in Poland's impressive 3-1 win which gave them a great start to their campaign.

Ukraine, with AC Milan's Andriy Shevchenko and Tottenham Hotspur's Serhiy Rebrov leading their attack, were expected to give the Poles a hard time. But although Shevchenko scored for the home side, the Poles were well-deserved winners.

Norway continued to let down their fans with a 0-0 home draw against Armenia.

Castillo sinks Chile

SANTIAGO: In the Latin American qualifiers, rising Colombian star Jairo Castillo stunned Chile's home fans with a spectacular overhead kick, which was enough to give his side a 1-0 victory. Both teams came into this game keen to extend their rich vein of form, but Colombia looked more at ease on the ball.

Fabian Estay, who was the star of Chile's recent victory over Brazil, failed to find attackers Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas with his usual regularity.

Meanwhile, Colombian sweeper Pedro Reyes broke up many of the Chilean moves, and was at the heart of his team's patient possession-building approach.

Chile's famed strike force was given little room for maneuvre, although Salas nearly latched on to a loose back pass by Freddy Grisales before the break.

However, the clearest chances of the first half went to Colombia, with Castillo almost slipping the ball past Tapias, then Jorge Bolano shaving the bar.

The second half continued this chess-like pattern, as Chile struggled to find their rhythm and Colombia probed for an opening.

It took an exceptional goal to separate the two sides. Juan Pablo Angel broked down Chile's wing and sent a deep cross. An attempted clearance sat up enough for the airborne Castillo to connect with one of his whirring feet, and the ball crashed past Tapias on 66 minutes.

Chile's efforts to claw their way back were tainted by desperation, and an equaliser never looked on the cards while Reyes continued to deal with the salas threat so impressively. Colombia are yet to lose an away game in the current qualifying tournament.

Colombia's victory leaves the team in second place in the South American qualifying table on 15 points, one point ahead of Paraguay.