Low’s perfect reign continues as Germanyroll over Slovakia

JOACHIM LOW’S great start as Germany coach was extended with an unexpectedly easy win over Slovakia in Bratislava.

First half goals from Lukas Podolski, Michael Ballack and Bastian Schweinsteiger ensured a rampant Germany maintained their 100% record in the Republic of Ireland’s Group D.

Stanislav Varga’s consolation blotted an otherwise clean copybook, becoming the first goal conceded since Low took over from Jurgen Klinsmann in July.

But Podolski’s second goal ensured Germany did not need to worry about ever losing their lead as they cruised to victory

This game was being touted as the possible end of Low’s honeymoon period in charge of the World Cup bronze medalists.

After winning his first four games in charge with an impeccable goal record of 19-0, a trip to Bratislava, was seen as a potential banana skin.

However the euphoria which had spilled over from the World Cup continued when Podolski put Germany ahead in the 13th minute.

Miroslav Klose got in behind the Slovakian defence to latch onto Bernd Schneider’s through-ball and his pull-back from the goal-line was side-footed home by the Bayern Munich striker.

Podolski returned the favour minutes later, but Klose uncharacteristically headed over the bar from close range when it seemed easier to score.

It was not long before the visitors did double their lead and it was Ballack who showed Klose how to finish with his head from Philipp Lahm’s left-wing cross.

Ballack’s former Bayern team-mate Schweinsteiger then benefited from a poor piece of goalkeeping to grab the third 10 minutes before the break.

Kamil Contofalsky looked unconvincing as he parried Ballack’s 20-yard shot to his right where Schweinsteiger was on hand to thrash the ball past him into the far corner.

Things almost got worse for Contofalsky when a backpass bobbled on an uneven pitch, but after kicking at air, he was able to recover to clear the ball before it crossed his goal line.

The home side showed signs of a revival in the second half and were rewarded when Varga got in front of Jens Lehmann to head into an empty net, but it was merely a false dawn as Podolski grabbed his second to restore Germany’s three-goal advantage.

Klose beat the offside trap and unselfishly squared the ball to Podolski, who had the easiest of tap-ins.

Apart from conceding the first goal since the end of the World Cup, it was another impressive match for Low’s Germany, who never really looked in any danger of losing in Slovakia.