Ballack strike puts Germany on course against sad Wales

GERMANY took another ominous step towards South Africa 2010, Michael Ballack blasting home an early 30-yarder before the unlucky Ashley Williams scored an own goal for the clincher.

Germany did not need any help from the officials but that was precisely what happened after just 11 minutes when Ballack unleashed a swerving drive from 30 yards that crashed into the top corner past Wayne Hennessey.

However, that came from Germany being allowed to take a throw on the left that was clearly a Wales ball. Neither linesman or referee Terje Hauge reacted and the ball was instantly fed to the Chelsea man to score. Half a dozen Wales players complained bitterly to the Norwegian referee, but to no avail.

To their credit Wales side were running and fighting for every ball as the Germans’ passing game threatened to overrun them.

Wales had a decent chance to equalise after 21 minutes. Sam Ricketts crossed from the right, Sam Vokes headed down and Robert Earnshaw saw his close-range effort blocked by Robert Enke.

Joe Ledley then surged into the box to be brought down by Serdar Tasci, the defender looking to handle the ball as he fell.

Germany’s menace increased and Hennessey plunged to his left to keep out a 20-yarder from Thomas Hitzlsperger after a tapped free-kick. Then Mario Gomez drove just wide from outside the box.

Hennessey saved superbly from a fierce shot from Lukas Podolski, the Germans looking dangerous every time they came forward.

Just three minutes into the second period Wales were struck that own goal below.

Collins had held up Gomez on the right and looked to have run the ball out but the Stuttgart striker kept the ball in.

His low cross to the near post was then stabbed past Hennessey by Williams’ out-stretched boot.

WALES: Hennessey, Ricketts (Gunter 53), Ashley Williams, Collins, Nyatanga (Cotterill 74), Davies, Ramsey, Ledley, Bale, Earnshaw, Vokes (Evans 62).

GERMANY: Enke, Beck, Mertesacker, Rolfes (Westermann 78), Lahm, Schweinsteiger (Helmes 86), Tasci, Ballack, Hitzlsperger, Podolski (Trochowski 72), Gomez.

Referee: Terje Haunge (Norway).