Germany comfortable in Cardiff

Euro2008 qualifying Group D:   Germany cruised to within touching distance of qualification for the European finals with a clinical…

Euro2008 qualifying Group D:  Germany cruised to within touching distance of qualification for the European finals with a clinical 2-0 humbling of Wales in Cardiff.

The outcome of this clash in the Republic of Ireland's group was never in doubt from the moment Miroslav Klose put Germanyahead after just five minutes.

Walessuffered from the loss of their skipper Craig Bellamy, because of his baby daughter's illness, but they were never really in this match and allowed Klose a free header for the second on the hour, taking his tally for his country to 35 in 70 internationals.

Goals by Tomas Rosicky, Marek Jankulovski and Jan Koller steered the Czech Republic- who the Republic of Ireland play on Wednesday - to an easy 3-0 victory over 10-man San Marino.

READ MORE

Having already beaten winless San Marino 7-0 at home in October, the Czechs came into the game looking for another goal feast.

Instead, their attack continued to sputter for most of the match as they scored two or more goals in a qualifier for the first time this year.

Rosicky provided the opener in the 32nd minute when Marek Kulic's weak shot was only parried by goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini and the Arsenal midfielder headed into an open goal.

San Marino's Alessandro Della Valle picked up his second yellow card in the 63rd minute, giving the Czechs even more room to operate.

AC Milan's Jankulovski blasted home a low drive from a free kick in the 75th minute to extend the lead before Koller headed home his 51st international goal in extra time.