Over and over – after a 1-1 draw against Ivory Coast, the German team failed in the preliminary round of the Olympic Games. Five years after silver in Rio, this time it’s going home early.
The dream of an Olympic medal suddenly burst for Max Kruse and Co. Despite good chances and the first appearance in front of spectators, the team of coach Stefan Kuntz in Rifu against the Ivory Coast did not get more than 1: 1 (0: 0) and thus only finished third in Group D. Five years ago, Germany had won silver at the summer games in Rio, now it’s back home after the preliminary round.
German team cannot use its chances
The Olympic mission ended with a big disappointment 52 days after the triumph at the U21 European Championship. In front of around 6000 spectators, an own goal by Benjamin Henrichs (67th) brought the DFB selection behind, the equalization by Eduard Löwen (73rd) was too little. The German team showed a bit better, but couldn’t take advantage of their chances. Before that, there had been a 2: 4 against Brazil and a 3: 2 against Saudi Arabia.
The decisive goal in the end came in the 67th minute. After a long throw-in, Henrichs slid the ball into his own goal in front of Youssouf Dao, who was ready to shoot. Once again there was disorder in the back team. A flaw that ran through the entire tournament. After that, the European champion threw everything forward, but only managed to equalize with the remarkable free kick from Löwen from 20 meters.
The starting position was clear: a victory against the Ivorians had to be achieved in order to reach the quarter-finals. The DFB team approached the game accordingly. A little better organized on the defensive after conceding six goals in two games, the German team pushed for the opening goal.
And there was no shortage of chances in the first half. On his 23rd birthday, Ragnar Ache was close to the goal with two headers next to the goal (8th) and the crossbar (26th). Kruse, who so far has made headlines more because of his marriage proposal after the Saudi Arabia game than because of the threat of a goal, just failed (11th). In addition, Nadiem Amiri put a shot from the edge of the penalty area just over the gate (43.). Kuntz pulled his hair several times.
“We love Germany”
The Japanese fans were hardly ripped off by this. The audience – unlike in the Tokyo area, up to 10,000 fans are allowed in Miyagi Prefecture – followed the organizers’ instructions and refrained from chanting or shouting. After all, there was a friendly welcome for the European champion. “We love Germany” could be read on posters.
Captain Maximilian Arnold was back on the pitch after being suspended. The Wolfsburg could be happy that he didn’t see another yellow-red card. After receiving an early warning, the midfielder rose sharply on his opponent Christian Kouame’s leg in the 43rd minute. Uruguayan referee Leodan Gonzalez was indulgent.
In the second round, the DFB team pushed for the goal and had to risk more. This opened up spaces for the disciplined defending Africans. The Ivorians weren’t smart enough on their counterattacks.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
