On November 19th, Beijing time, several friendly matches were held across the world of football. Germany drew 2-2 with Ivory Coast at home, with Poldolski scoring twice. The Netherlands played to a 0-0 draw with Paraguay at home, maintaining their streak of no goals conceded for five consecutive matches, but also failing to score in three straight games. South Korea lost 0-1 to Serbia in London, ending their unbeaten run of 27 matches.
In the video highlights - Prince Podolski scores twice, Eboue creates an unusual goal. Media source: Sina Sports.
Germany played their first match since goalkeeper Robert Enke's suicide tragedy. Captain Michael Ballack placed Enke's No. 1 jersey on the substitutes' bench. Before the game, the Ivory Coast players came out wearing T-shirts in memory of Enke, with his portrait on the front. Both teams wore black armbands and observed a minute's silence before the start of the game.
Ballack missed the game due to a minor knee injury, while Klose was quarantined after his son contracted H1N1 flu. Leading scorer in the league, Kiessling, made his first national team start, partnering Podolski up front, with Ozil playing as attacking midfielder. Previously, only appearing as a substitute against England last year, Wiese guarded the goal for Germany. Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba was also absent, with Boka and Demel starting, both playing in the Bundesliga.
In the 4th minute, Kolo Toure's back pass created danger, Zogbo clearing ahead of Podolski. Then Kiessling collided with Zogbo and fell, both receiving treatment. In the 11th minute, Trochowski passed through to the left side of the penalty area, Demel fouled Kiessling from behind and was shown a yellow card. Podolski converted the penalty with a low left-footed shot into the bottom right corner, making it 1-0. He didn't celebrate, instead pointing skyward, dedicating the goal to Enke.
Subsequently, Podolski received a pass from Ozil and shot wide from the edge of the box. In the 23rd minute, Ozil delivered a corner kick, Westermann's shot was blocked by Boka! In the 27th minute, Yaya Toure's free kick from 25 meters out went high. In the 37th minute, Kalou's push shot was saved by Wiese. In the 44th minute, Trochowski's shot from 18 meters out went wide.
In the second half, Neuer replaced Wiese. In the 49th minute, Kone replaced Zoakola. In the 53rd minute, Kiessling's shot inside the box was spectacularly saved by Zogbo. In the 57th minute, Ivory Coast equalized when Westermann's back pass to Neuer resulted in a poor clearance that hit Eboue and deflected into the bottom left corner, making it 1-1. Eboue was knocked over by the ball and required assistance from teammates to stand up, receiving treatment on the sidelines.
Hunt replaced Schweinsteiger, making his debut for the national team. In the 85th minute, two substitutes combined to level the score for Ivory Coast. Gervinho broke through on the left flank and passed, German defenders failed to clear the ball, Dum比亚 cut inside past Lahm just two minutes after coming on and scored with a powerful right-footed shot from 16 meters out into the bottom right corner, making it 2-1.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Westermann advanced to the left side of the penalty area and sent a through ball, Podolski turned and swept the ball into the far corner with his left foot from 11 meters out under close attention from Kolo Toure, making it 2-2.
Germany (4-1-3-2): 23-Wiese (46' Neuer)/24-Boateng (65' Beck), 17-Mertesacker, 5-Westermann, 16-Lahm/15-Hitzlsperger/7-Schweinsteiger (79' Hunt), 8-Ozil, 14-Trochowski (86' Schafer)/9-Kiessling (70' Gomez), 10-Podolski.
Ivory Coast (4-3-3): 16-Zogbo/2-Eboue, 20-Demel (72' Keita), 4-Kolo Toure, Boka/19-Yaya Toure (90' Met), 5-Zoakola (49' Kone), 15-Bamba/18-Cisse (67' Gervinho), 21-Tioté (86' Bru), 7-Kalou (83' Sedou).
In Heerenveen, the Netherlands drew 0-0 with Paraguay. Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, and Wesley Sneijder all missed out due to injuries. Compared to the lineup against Italy last weekend, Van Marwijk only changed one starter, Afellay replacing Van Persie, with Kuyt moving to center forward. After the kickoff, although the Netherlands had more possession, they struggled to create clear chances. Paraguay almost took the lead in the second half when Cardozo's free kick deflected and changed direction, but keeper Stekelenburg saved it. In the 70th minute, Van der Vaart's header was saved by Villar. Eintracht midfielder replaced Van der Vaart, making his debut for the national team. In stoppage time, Villar again blocked a shot from substitute striker Huntelaar.
The Netherlands (4-2-3-1): 1-Stekelenburg/2-Van der Veen, 4-Maatheijn, 3-Heitinga, 5-Van Bronckhorst (46' Braafheid)/6-Van Bommel (71' Bruma), 8-De Jong (46' Engelaar)/17-Afellay, 10-Van der Vaart (85' Bakker), 11-Elia (46' 18-Babel)/7-Kuyt (62' 19-Huntelaar).
At Craven Cottage in London, South Korea lost 0-1 to Serbia. In the 6th minute, Mijailovic passed the ball, Jovanovic shot ahead of the defenders.
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