Germany Claw Back Holland in 2-2 Draw

With the Netherlands currently ranked third in the world and Germany ranked 11th German coach Jürgen Klinsmann knew his side faced a stiff task in the cauldron of Rotterdam’s de Kuip stadium. The match finished in a 2-2 draw, a rather flattering result for the German side.

The Dutch are spoilt for choice when it comes to world-class strikers and could allow themswelves to leave Bayern Munich’s striker Roy Makaay on the bench in the first half with Ruud van Nistelroy and Arjen Robben up front. Veteran defender Christian Wörns was recalled to the German side along with Didi Hamann to help sure up Germany’s weak defense with midfielder Bernd Schneider playing at left back.

Dutch coach van Basten is a shrewd man, noticed Schneider was playing out of position and switched Arjen Robben to the right wing to trouble Schneider ...this move paid dividends early on as the Dutch took a third minute lead through Chelsea striker Robben. At half-time Germany could count themselves lucky to be only one goal down as the Dutch wasted several golden opportunities.

One minute into the second half though Germany found themselves two goals down.... again the scorer was Arjen Robben. The game looked over.

Klinsmann’s biggest defeat?

Jürgen Klinsmann, the striker-turned coach was solely responsible for Germany's last victory over the Oranje by converting a penalty for a 1-0 win in 1996 -- also in Rotterdam. But on Wednesday night, he looked as if he would be suffering his worst defeat as coach.

But Michael Ballack had other ideas and quickly pulled a goal back for Germany with a diving header.

Yet it was still the Dutch magicians who were playing the beautiful football but who continued to squander chance after chance, hitting the crossbar twice.

Suddenly Germany broke and after good work by Tim Borowski, substitute Gerald Asamoah came in on the right to squeeze the ball over the line from an sharp angle.

2-2 was the final score. A typical German comeback and totally against the run of play. While Germany were delighted to equalise their miserable run against the big nations continues and it is 15 games since they defeated a recognised top team.

On Wednesday night Jürgen Klinsmann can be only proud of one thing -- his side’s resilience