German Cameroon winner!

Keep on Trekin

Germany are back!
SHIZUOKA -- Germany have booked a place in the second round of the World Cup after pulling off a 2-0 victory over a fiery Cameroon in its Group E match in Shizuoka despite losing defense marshal Carsten Ramelow to a red card. Triple world champions Germany, who needed at least a draw from the group E decider to make sure of reaching the second round, lost Ramelow after he tripped Samuel Eto'o on the edge of the area in the 40th minute.

The Lions, unable to take advantage of a depleted Germany, were also reduced to 10 men with 13 minutes remaining when substitute Patrick Suffo received a second booking. By that stage Germany were well in control.

Substitute Marco Bode scored four minutes into the second half and Klose doubled the lead ten minutes from the final whistle with his fifth goal of the tournament, after which Cameroon's discipline deserted them and substitute Patrick Suffo received two yellow cards in quick succession.

The win meant Germany finished top of Group E ahead of the Republic of Ireland and ended Cameroon's slim hopes of qualifying for the second round.

It was a far from convincing display from the team who had started the tournament with an 8-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia.

After beginning the match the brighter, Germany's nerves became increasingly frayed as the African champions looked to take advantage of a series of defensive errors.

Salomon Alembe had the first clear sight of goal, taking advantage of a woeful attempt at an offside trap and finding himself in a one-on-one with Oliver Kahn.

Though the goalkeeper stood his ground and saved the shot, the danger was far from over for Germany.

Moments later, Pierre Wome launched himself at a loose ball and from Kahn's punch, Thomas Linke almost put the ball into his own net.

From the ensuing corner, Geremi returned the ball and captain Rigobert Song was guilty of a glaring miss, putting a clear header wide after another mistake in the German defence.

That was the cue for Germany to lose their discipline, Michael Ballack quickly following Dietmaar Hamann into the referee's book.

And after a flurry of reckless challenges by Germany, Ramelow's dismissal came as little surprise, the Leverkusen defender receiving a second yellow for a cynical trip on the sprightly Samuel Eto'o.

Voeller would have been more than relieved to hear the half-time whistle and he took the opportunity to introduce Bode into the attack, replacing the ineffectual Carsten Jancker.

And four minutes later, Bode repaid his coach's faith, the 32-year-old sprinting onto a Klose through-ball and calmly slotting the ball past Boukar Alioum.

Germany is likely to meet Paraguay or Spain for a second round clash on June 15 in Seogwipo, South Korea

Any chances of Ireland having to play the Germans in the quater finals?
It seems Ireland now have a new destination, Korea...