Agence france presse
Paris, Oct 12: World Champions Germany secured their place at Euro 2016 despite labouring to a 2-1 win Sunday at home to Georgia, while Poland also qualified for next summer’s finals after beating the Republic of Ireland 2-1.
Germany needed just a point against Georgia in Leipzig to guarantee themselves a top two finish in Group D but Max Kruse’s 79th-minute winner ensured Joachim Loew’s men progressed as group winners.
Thomas Mueller had given Germany the lead shortly after half time, converting a penalty for his ninth goal in the qualifiers, before it was cancelled out almost immediately by Jaba Kankava.
“We’re happy on the whole to have secured qualification but displeased with our last two matches,” said Loew, who had seen his team lose 0-1 to Ireland Thursday. “This is not our standard, there’s still a lot of work ahead of us. But I am sure you will see a different Germany in France,” he added.
Robert Lewandowski equalled former Northern Ireland striker David Healy’s 13-goal record for a single European Championship qualifying campaign as Poland claimed second place in Group D.
Grzegorz Krychowiak netted a 13th-minute opener for the Poles in Warsaw before Jon Walters levelled from the penalty spot shortly after. But Lewandowski’s 15th goal in his last six matches won it for the home side, consigning the Irish, who saw John O’Shea sent off late on, to November’s play-offs.
“We are all disappointed after doing brilliantly against Germany (last time out). We let ourselves down. We had the confidence and expected to win,’ said Ireland defender Seamus Coleman.
Earlier, Albania qualified for their first major international tournament as they beat Armenia 3-0, while Romania also booked their place at the finals after a 3-0 win in the Faroe Islands.
Defeat at home Thursday to Serbia had left Albania needing three points in Yerevan to edge ahead of Denmark to claim second place in Group I and they made the most of their second chance.
Kamo Hovhannisyan turned into his own net to give Albania a ninth-minute lead before Berat Xhimshiti made it 2-0 mid-way through the first half. Substitute Armando Sadiku then added a third 14 minutes from time as Gianni De Biasi’s side secured their spot at next summer’s tournament in France. “This has been a big success, that’s obvious,” De Biasi said. “Every victory makes us happy, but this one is the most valuable.”
