Soccer: Germany win to take top spot

BERLIN - Miroslav Klose struck twice to lead Germany to a 3-0 win over a half-hearted Ecuador this morning, sealing first place in Group A for the World Cup hosts.

Klose, who also scored two in the opening day 4-2 win over Costa Rica, swooped for his first in the fourth minute of a match played in stifling humidity at the Olympiastadion.

"Our goal was to win the group and we achieved that" - KlinsmannThe Polish-born forward made it 2-0 just before the interval as Ecuador, who go through to the last 16 in second spot, showed little desire to scrap it out.

Fellow striker Lukas Podolski slid in the third in the 57th minute after a good cross from midfielder Bernd Schneider.

German coach Juergen Klinsmann said it was mission accomplished for a team capturing the imagination of fans across the host nation.

"When you play at home you have the crowd behind you and that gives the players an extra push. It's World Cup fever," Klinsmann said after the game.

"Our goal was to win the group and we achieved that. It was difficult to keep the pace up because it was hot out there but overall we are happy and looking forward to the knockout games."

Germany will play the runners-up in Group B -- either Sweden, Trinidad & Tobago or England -- in the second round. Ecuador, who qualified in second place after winning their first two games, will play the Group B winners - England or Sweden.

Ecuador coach Luis Fernando Suarez said his team had not been at their best.

"Germany played a great match but we contributed to their good display," he told reporters. "It was a bit of both.

"I don't want to take away from the performance of the German team but I think we could have done better."

Klose has now scored nine World Cup goals after a five-goal burst on Germany's route to the final four years ago.

It had been clear before the start that the match meant more to Germany than to Ecuador, who made five changes to the side that beat Costa Rica 3-0.

Klose grabbed his first when the Ecuador defence failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Per Mertesacker on the left. He hooked it back across goal, Bastian Schweinsteiger laid it back and Klose pounced.

The goal, the first conceded by Ecuador in these finals, seemed to resign the Ecuadoreans to their fate and Germany, the three-times World Cup winners, continued to create chances.

Klose made it two with a fine finish. Ballack chipped through, Klose held off his marker and took the ball round goalkeeper Cristian Mora before slipping the ball into an empty net.

Edwin Tenorio and Edison Mendez brought saves from Jens Lehmann after the break but Germany had a 72,000 full house cheering again through Podolski's sliding finish for the third.

Second place in the group is still a triumph for Ecuador, who were eliminated in the first round on their first appearance at the finals in 2002.

- REUTERS