Weak Germany strong enough

Germany 4,  United States 2: A depleted Germany fought back from a goal down for a victory over the US in an entertaining friendly…

Germany 4,  United States 2: A depleted Germany fought back from a goal down for a victory over the US in an entertaining friendly in Rostock last night. Striker Clint Mathis put the visitors ahead against the run of play in the 17th minute, but German captain Christian Ziege equalised just before the break with a super free kick from 25 metres that left no chance to his Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Kasey Keller, in goal for the US.

The home side moved in front through Oliver Neuville in the 61st minute before Oliver Bierhoff and defender Torsten Frings finished things off. Mathis' second goal proved scant consolation for the US.

GERMANY: Rost, Baumann, Ziege, Linke, Ramelow, Jeremies, Frings, Hamann, Schneider, Bierhoff, Neuville.

US: Keller, Regis, Pope, Agoos, Donovan, Cherundolo, Lewis, Armas, Mathis, Earnest Stewart, Kirovski.

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