Germany, Portugal drawn apart
(From left) and Thiago Alcantara second goal against Bayer Leverkusen in a Bundesliga match on Saturday. AFP pic crashing to earth following a record Champions League win in midweek with a 2-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt, who went third.
It was a first defeat in 10 games for Dortmund and followed their 8-4 romp on Tuesday at home to Legia Warsaw — a record score for a Champions League game.
Hungary international Szabolcs Huszti gave the home side the lead only for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to equalise, before Haris Seferovic grabbed the winner for Frankfurt, who are unbeaten in six league games.
Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel made eight changes to the team which started against Legia.
His side was again guilty of poor defending as Frankfurt scored both their goals from restarts.
“Technically, tactically, mentally and in our willingness we weren’t up to it,” fumed Tuchel.
The result saw Frankfurt replace Dortmund in third and broke Borussia’s run of four straight wins.
After their Champions League draw at home to Manchester City, Borussia Moenchengladbach were held to another 1-1 stalemate at Borussia Park, against Hoffenheim, to leave them winless in seven league games.
Wolfsburg are just two points above the relegation spots after their 1-1 draw with Ingolstadt as Anthony Jung’s goal was cancelled out by Wolfsburg’s Daniel Caligiuri.
In a thrilling north German derby, bottom club Hamburg drew 2-2 at home to neighbours Werder Bremen.
Austrian international Michael Gregoritsch scored both of Hamburg’s goals either side of a Fin Bartels strike before Bremen’s Serge Gnabry made it 2-2 at the break.
In the day’s other game Cologne, who are fourth, were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Augsburg. AFP KAZAN: World Cup holders Germany and European champions Portugal will avoid each other in the group stages of the Confederations Cup after Saturday’s draw in Kazan.
Hosts Russia will come up against Euro 2016 winners Portugal, Mexico and New Zealand in Group A in the event billed as a warm-up for the World Cup to be held in Russia in 2018.
In Group B Germany are lined up against South American champions Chile, Australia, the Asian champions, and the yet-to-be-decided African champions.
The tournament kicks off in Saint Petersburg on June 17 and will end at the same venue on July 2. Matches will also be staged in Kazan, Moscow and Sochi.
Russia will take on Oceania champions New Zealand in the opening game before Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal face CONCACAF champions Mexico in Kazan a day later.
“We have a difficult group,” admitted Portugal coach Fernando Santos, who assured that Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo will lead his team.
“I’m sure Russia are among the favourites. As for us we are going to do our best and play with our best player, if he is fit of course and not injured.”
The opening match in Group B will be played in Moscow at the home of Spartak Moscow and will see the Chile of Alexis Sanchez — Copa America winners in the last two years — meet the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Gabon in January and February.
Australia, the 2015 Asian Cup winners, will be the first opponents for Joachim Loew’s Germany in Sochi on Monday, June 19. “It’s an interesting group,” said Loew.
“What we’ve seen here in the last few days makes you look forward to the Confederations Cup.
“The country has good stadiums and the people are very friendly towards their guests.
“We’re looking forward to it and the Russians do not have to worry — we will come with a good team.”
A US$20 million (RM86 million) purse is on offer — US$4.1 million for the winners and US$3.6 million for the losing finalists, but Germany’s team manager Oliver Bierhoff criticised the prize fund.
“It’s a shame the sporting appeal and the financial resources for the teams don’t fit together,” he said.
“Economically, we will finish the tournament with a loss, because the premiums from Fifa and the budgeted limits for each team, and the support staff, are not sufficient for all the participating countries.
“In this regard, we would wish that different measures be applied.”
Brazil have won the last three editions of the Confederations Cup, most recently as hosts in 2013.
The tournament in its current guise, organised by Fifa, was first played in 1997, when Brazil also lifted the trophy. In total Brazil have won it four times. AFP
BUNDESLIGA: