Germany's chances of reaching the Euro 2004 quarter-finals were hit hard as they were held to a 0-0 draw by debutants Latvia on Saturday.
Latvia, who conceded two late goals in their opening 2-1 loss to the Czech Republic, put up another competitive display to earn their first point in a major tournament, prompting rapturous celebrations after the final whistle.
Germany will be eliminated if they cannot beat the Czechs in their last Group D game after failing to repeat their convincing performance in the opening 1-1 draw with the Netherlands.
"I can't blame the team," Germany coach Rudi Voeller said. "They tried everything right up to the final whistle.
"It's no disgrace. Naturally we hoped for more.
"We certainly didn't take them too lightly. They played a compact defence and that's where we had big problems. Now we have to beat the Czechs."
Germany, the 2002 World Cup finalists, are at risk of another early exit from the European Championship after failing to survive the group stage four years ago. The Germans have now failed to win any of their last eight matches against European opponents at major tournaments. The Baltic team looked well organised and resisted Germany in a tight, tactical first half of few highlights.
The second half was more one-sided, Germany stepping up a gear but looking clumsy in front of goal and failing to breach a determined Latvian defence.
FASTEST YELLOW
Latvia right back Aleksandrs Isakovs received the fastest yellow card of the tournament when he clattered midfielder Torsten Frings a few seconds into the game.
The opening skirmishes were tense and dull with no clear chance until Frings fired over the bar from outside the box on eight minutes.
Germany threatened again when striker Kevin Kuranyi controlled the ball on his chest and shot narrowly wide but there was little to get excited about for the German fans.
Germany, playing with two strikers, failed to put their opponents under real pressure and were far less convincing than against the Netherlands.
However, they showed more initiative with the break approaching, midfielder Michael Ballack and Kuranyi firing in shots.
Latvia fought bravely and threatened shortly before halftime when striker Maris Verpakovskis surged powerfully into the box and produced a good save from goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.
There was another pacy run from Verpakovskis 10 minutes into the second half which ended when he was sandwiched by two defenders but his appeal for a penalty was harshly turned down by English referee Mike Riley.
Germany appeared to need a set piece to break the deadlock and went close in the 64th minute when Latvia goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko did well to punch away a fierce Ballack free kick.
German substitute striker Miroslav Klose wasted a fine chance in injury time when he headed wide, and Latvia held on for a point, their only realistic goal in a tough group containing three former European champions.
"The result tonight once more proves that the Latvian team really are golden boys," Latvia President Vaira Vike-Freiberga told Reuters. "I think we have a strong team and we still can do well in the tournament."
© 2024 Rediff.com -