Serbia stun 10-man Germany

Serbia stunned Germany 1-0 here on Friday in a pulsating World Cup tie marked by a cluster of yellow cards, Miroslav Klose’s sending off and Germany’s Lukas Podolski missing a second-half penalty. Milan Jovanovic’s first half goal gave Serbia victory to throw Group D wide open with Radomir Antic’s side joining Germany and Ghana - who play pointless Australia on Saturday - with three points.

Germany coach Joachim Loew reflected: “We had a lot of problems, the double yellow card for Klose, they got the first goal, then we failed to score from the penalty spot - all in all it was difficult to come to terms with all this.

“We’re devastated of course but I’m still confident we will go through to the last 16. we have our fate in our own hands still and a good goal difference.”

His Serbian counterpart Radomir Antic said the shock win could give Serbia back their belief after an opening loss to Ghana.

“We too can decide our own fate now. “This is a victory for our people who for sure will know how to celebrate it!

“Klose’s red card was obviously a big handicap for Germany, but we were very positive and energetic after me and my players were under a great deal of pressure from the defeat in our opening game.”

Germany striker Klose picked up the first booking of the game and then his fatal second, from Spanish referee Alberto Undiano, in the 37th minute for a tackle on Serbia captain Dejan Stankevic.

Klose, who is appearing in his third finals, said that the second booking was an over reaction by the referee.

“I would have liked to help the team,” said Klose, who belied his poor form last season by scoring in the opening win over Australia.

“I tried to play the ball and it was no foul. The referee should have given me a ticking off instead of showing me the yellow. The team tried everything in the second-half, they played well and fought hard.” Less than a minute after he had left the pitch Serbia went ahead after a fine three-man move.

Milos Krasic sent a high ball in from the right post for Nikola Zigic, the tallest player at 2m 2cm high in the World Cup, to head down for Jovanovic to flick in past keeper Manuel Neuer.

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa, June 18, 2010, AFP