Ann-Katrin Berger has no real reason to be angry about her debut – despite conceding the only goal of the German women’s national team goalkeeper’s European Championship qualification. But at 3: 1 (2: 1) in Ireland, Berger was innocent and had no chance of unnecessary punishment. “Of course it was unnecessary,” said the 30-year-old from Chelsea. “It annoys me a lot.” National coach Martina Vos-Teklenberg found comforting words: “It was not Annie who caused this goal to be achieved.”

Lina Magel (21st minute) and Tabia Wamuth (29/85) scored their first international goals from a penalty kick in Dublin. Katie Maccabe (45) scored the next goal for the Irish women. The DFB women, who have won eight of their eight qualifying matches, now have 46: 1 goals. For the European Championship final in England in 2022, Ireland had qualified for the DFB selection before the game.

National coach Vos-Teklenberg praised her team’s first half, but wants to see a little more accuracy and brilliance in a second that is not so convincing. After the final whistle, she liked something else: “I think it’s not satisfying for players to be on the field.” The goal was to subdue the team.

Quiet burger debut

The 52-year-old had returned to Greece four days earlier, compared to a 6-0 victory. There were only four players on the field at the start of the match at Talag Stadium, and they started at Ingolstadt against the Greeks. This will distribute the load evenly. As a precaution, Sarah Debritz was sitting on an mostly empty grandstand due to minor muscle complaints.

On goal, Berger got his first chance on the national team, as announced, but had little to do. In contrast to the 3-0 victory in the first quarter, the German team’s superiority provided no chances at the start. To the annoyance of the hosts, a penalty lead was paved: while dribbling in the penalty area, Svencha Hooth fell and Mughal spread.

Double humor

After the best German combination to date, Tabia Vuthmat failed to find the back of the net on goalkeeper Grace Moloney’s, and moments later a second attempt from 18m on the right sat in the far corner. For the 24-year-old from Hoffenheim, it was the first goal of her second international. “I can’t believe it, but I’m glad we won,” the attacker said.

Only negligence on the part of the German defense led to the first goal in qualifying: after the fall of Marina Hegering, Maccabe gave newcomer Berger a chance without conceding a penalty. Director Disennifer Maroson reached the second half and hit the crossbar from a distance (55th). The Irish women, who were mainly on the defensive, risked the second place in the group, making it difficult for the DFB team to find opportunities through inactive balls. Only strong pride gave the calm a third goal – this time with the left foot.

It is not yet clear how DFB women will fare in the new year. Competitive games are caused by the loss of Olympic qualification, but trials should be held against the leading nations. If pandemic allows, a trip to the USA with international matches against world champions should be prepared.

ck / dvo (dpa, sid)