FIRST TEAM
10/06/2017

4 games, 4 goals - Sandro Wagner’s international ratio

Job done. After a 3-1 win in Northern Ireland, Sandro Wagner and the German national team secured their place at the World Cup finals in Russia. The TSG target man managed to score his fourth goal in as many games in the process. Pavel Kaderabek and Havard Nordtveit also enjoyed wins with their national teams; only TSG youngster Meris Skenderovic suffered defeat with the Montenegro U21s, losing 2-1 to France U21s.

Sandro Wagner demonstrated true modesty ahead of Germany’s World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland on Thursday night. When asked about his chances of featuring, he responded: "I’m not working out the odds for myself; I’ve never been good at calculating things." One man, however, whose calculations definitely included Sandro Wagner, was Germany manager Joachim Löw, who played Wagner up front from the start in Belfast. TSG’s number 14 quickly repaid Löw for his trust in him.

The first talking point in Germany’s penultimate group game, however, was former Hoffenheim man Sebastian Rudy, who put Germany ahead after only two minutes with a first-time shot from 22 yards, right into the top corner. Dream goal.

Löw’s men went on to enjoy a strong opening 20 minutes with far superior possession. In the 17th minute, Sandro Wagner could have made it 2-0, and four minutes later, he did exactly that. On the turn, he hit the ball into the back of the Northern Irish net. His new record: Four goals from four caps - last achieved by Dieter Hoeneß.

The hosts looked a lot better in the second half, but the Germany win was never in doubt. Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich scored the third in the closing stages and put the game to bed, but Northern Ireland left their mark with a consolation goal in stoppage time, making the final score 3-1.

The World Cup winners, with nine wins, 38 goals and only three conceded, go into their final qualifier against Azerbaijan on Sunday 20:45 CEST as guaranteed group winners.

Nordtveit hot on Kaderabek’s heels

In the same qualifying group, Wagner’s TSG teammates Pavel Kaderabek of Czech Republic and Havard Nordtveit of Norway are also fighting for a place at the World Cup in Russia. The Czechs came up against Azerbaijan, while the Norwegians faced bottom of the group San Marino.   

After a well-deserved 2-1 win in Baku with Pavel Kaderabek playing the full 90, the Czechs now have 12 points from nine games and were thus able to secure third place in the group. Jan Kopic and Antonin Barak scored the goals in Czech Republic’s third win. With a better conversion rate, the win could have been much bigger. The final group game of Kaderabek and Co.’s qualifying campaign will take place on Sunday against San Marino, who were beaten 8-0 by Norway yesterday. Havard Nordtveit led his team out as captain. The win saw Norway move up into fourth place ahead of Azerbaijan. Both teams have 10 points on the board, but Norway have a superior goal difference.      

On Sunday, Havard Nordtveit and the Norway national side welcome Northern Ireland for their final qualifier.  

Personal success for Skenderovic

Qualifier points was also the name of the game for TSG youngster Meris Skenderovic, who featured in the Montenegro U21s’ qualifier for the 2019 U21 European Championship in Italy. Skenderovic put his side ahead against France in the 46th minute, but they went on to lose 2-1. On Monday, his side take on Slovenia in the next qualifier.  

 

Download Now!
Print Page to top