And that is more than could be said about the players under previous regimes.. Miroslav Klose came off the bench last night to score a controversial winner two minutes from time and rescue Germany from the embarrassment of failing to beat England’s next World Cup opponents, Albania, at the BayArena. Miroslav Klose came off the bench last night to score a controversial winner two minutes from time and rescue Germany from the embarrassment of failing to beat England’s next World Cup opponents, Albania, at the BayArena.
Klose marked his first cap by diving in at the far post to head into an empty net following Marco Rehmer’s right-wing cross. But it appeared that three German players – including Klose – were in offside positions when the ball was played through to Rehmer.The goal was allowed to stand by the Italian referee, Graciano Cesari, and Germany moved five points clear of England at the top of group nine, with maximum points from their opening three games.Rudi Völler’s side had been forced on to the back-foot by an impressive Albanian side despite taking the lead after a goalless first-half. Sebastian Deisler broke the deadlock five minutes after the interval with a speculative 25-yard strike, which, though powerfully struck, should have been saved. The Albanian goalkeeper, Foto Strakosha, alllowed the ball to go in despite getting both hands to it.But instead of using their good fortune as a platform to sweep the Albanians aside, the Germans looked nervous and paid the penalty when Albania, who passed the ball around well, scored an equaliser through Bledar Kola’s fierce 25-yard shot in the 66th minute.Albania had their hearts in their mouths in the 84th minute when the referee appeared to point to the spot as Klose went down in side the box, but the official was merely booking the substituite for diving.The winner four minutes later was difficult to swallow as Albania, pushing up for what they though was a clear offside, were cruelly punished.The Football Association are in continuous contact with the British consulate in Tirana and, although the latest news suggests that the game will go ahead as planned, a final decision will not be made until tomorrow. There are, as yet, no contingency plans in place.England’s coach, Sven Goran Eriksson, said he had not yet viewed the videos of Albania’s recent games that his assistants have gathered for him.

If he watches the tape of this match, he might be tempted to try to persuade the FA that England should certainly not go to Tirana on Wednesday.. Before this game, 90 places separated Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic in Fifa’s world rankings. But by the end it was the thickness of the goalposts at the Railway End at Windsor Park. Before this game, 90 places separated Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic in Fifa’s world rankings.

But by the end it was the thickness of the goalposts at the Railway End at Windsor Park.
Twice Sammy McIlroy’s side thought they had cancelled out Pavel Nedved’s goal for the Czechs and twice they were denied by the woodwork. First, Keith Gillespie’s header hit the post and then during a frantic final few minutes, the substitute Phil Gray cracked a shot against the bar.For once the luck was not with the Irish and McIlroy’s men would not have been flattered by a draw against the sixth-best team in the world. Northern Ireland were transformed from the team who surrendered so meekly to Norway last month and this was a performance full of passion, commitment and determination. It was the sort of display which would have been familiar to the survivors of Northern Ireland’s 1958 World Cup side, who last played the Czechs.In an attempt to draw on this nostalgia, the surviving members from Peter Doherty’s squad were invited to Windsor Park. Billy Bingham, who oversaw Northern Ireland’s finest World Cup moments in the 1980s, was there accompanied by Peter McParland, Bertie Peacock and Harry Gregg. They would have been proud of this performance from the present generation of players.Thankfully there was no repeat of the sectarian abuse of Neil Lennon and the Celtic midfielder was cheered at the end of the game.