Germans usher in Klinsmann era with victory

GERMANY began the new era under Jurgen Klinsmann when they beat Austria 3-1 in Vienna last night.

Germany opened the scoring through Kevin Kurani after just two minutes, but were rocked when Austria equalised through Martin Anerhauser in the 10th.

However, the Germans ensured Klinsmann got his managerial career off to a winning start with two further Kurani goals late in the second-half.

Another management debutant was Holland’s Marco van Basten, and his side travelled to Sweden where they secured a 2-2 draw.

Sweden opened the scoring through Jonson in the fourth minute, only to see Wesley Sneijder equalise and then Marc van Bommel put the Dutch into the lead just before half-time.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic secured a draw for the Swedes in the 69th minute.

France’s Raymond Domenech was another national coach making his debut and he will have been disappointed by his side’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovenia at home.

Peguy Luyindula opened the scoring for France, but the Bosnians replied in the 37th through Grlic for a low-key start for Domenech.

Elsewhere, Scotland’s World Cup qualifying preparations were left in tatters after Hungary ripped them apart at Hampden Park.

Berti Vogts had been bullish beforehand by claiming he no longer worried about players who were absent through injury, such was the strength in depth of his squad.

But with the visit of Slovenia in the first qualifier just a few weeks away, the Scots look dangerously ill- equipped and have just one more match - in Spain - to sort things out.

Teenager goalkeeper David Marshall blighted an otherwise encouraging debut with a bizarre own goal after Szabolcs Huszti had put his side 2-0 up, the first from the penalty spot.

Latvia were shot down by the double act Wales boss Mark Hughes believes can frighten England in their World Cup showdown in October.

John Hartson and Craig Bellamy scored in the last 10 minutes to give Wales a smash-and-grab win over the Euro 2004 side.