RIO DE JANEIRO // Germany booked a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup for a fourth successive tournament with a narrow 1-0 win over European rivals France.
Joachim Loew, the German coach, then warned that with his players improving together and early afternoon kickoffs no longer an issue, his team are only likely to get better.
Kicking off at 1pm in the famous Estadio Maracana, under a searing sun that at times seemed to produce lethargic performances by both sides, Germany scored a 12th-minute goal through defender Mats Hummels and were able to play a more relaxed, counter-attack-based game.
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“It is certainly not easy for us Europeans to start playing at 1pm,” Loew said.
“On the pitch and in the sun it was extremely hot. You can hardly breathe here. It is not easy because we are not used to that.
“We tried to control the match and keep the players at peak level, but three or four fast sprints and the players get tired. It makes it difficult.
“The next match will be at 5pm, so the sun will be lower and not heat up the stadium in the same way, which will help us.”
Loew had dropped Per Mertesacker in favour of the fit-again Hummels in a bid to avoid falling victim to France’s pace, which had been turbo-boosted further by the return of Antoine Griezmann.
Yet it was Hummels’s attacking abilities that proved the difference.
The Borussia Dortmund defender outmuscled Raphael Varane far too easily to get on the end of Toni Kroos’s free kick and his glanced header went into the net off the underside of the crossbar, leaving Hugo Lloris helpless in the French goal.
“We are playing the kind of football that gives us the chance to win matches, but our defensive attitude is what people have been questioning,” Hummels said.
“You cannot always score two more than the other team. But we have the passion and desire and it intensifies with every match.”
France pushed for an equaliser in the second half, without every really working a clear opening.
Hummels and Manuel Neuer in the German goal repeatedly showing self-assurance to thwart any French attacks.
“It’s a tough job,” Hummels said. “We had moments when we could play nicely, but there are moments when you have to fight.
“We knew France are one of the top teams, so it was not a walk in the park. It was not perfect, but it was pretty good and we deserved to go on.
“If we can carry on like this, a few better things could yet play out.”
France coach Didier Deschamps admitted his disappointment, but was keen to stress the positives.
“We know that experience is important,” he said.
“Germany have played together for many years, but I am proud.
“We have showed promise, now we must keep up the quality of the team. The players are disappointed and frustrated. I cannot get away from that because I feel the same way.
“We wanted to go further, we wanted to reach the semi-finals, but I don’t think there was a huge gap between the two teams.”
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
West Asia Premiership
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Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
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UAE SQUAD
Omar Abdulrahman (Al Hilal), Ali Khaseif, Ali Mabkhout, Salem Rashed, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Zayed Al Ameri, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Khalid Essa, Ahmed Barman, Ryan Yaslam, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmin (Al Wasl), Adel Al Hosani, Ali Hassan Saleh, Majed Suroor (Sharjah), Ahmed Khalil, Walid Abbas, Majed Hassan, Ismail Al Hammadi (Shabab Al Ahli), Hassan Al Muharrami, Fahad Al Dhahani (Bani Yas), Mohammed Al Shaker (Ajman)
Biography
Favourite drink: Must have karak chai and Chinese tea every day
Favourite non-Chinese food: Arabic sweets and Indian puri, small round bread of wheat flour
Favourite Chinese dish: Spicy boiled fish or anything cooked by her mother because of its flavour
Best vacation: Returning home to China
Music interests: Enjoys playing the zheng, a string musical instrument
Enjoys reading: Chinese novels, romantic comedies, reading up on business trends, government policy changes
Favourite book: Chairman Mao Zedong’s poems
Company%20profile
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FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
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'Will%20of%20the%20People'
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
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Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets