Low pleased with ‘easy’ win over Northern Ireland

Early goals from Julian Draxler and then Sami Khedira maintained Germany’s flawless start after three games with no goals conceded and moved it two points clear of Azerbaijan, which settled for a scoreless draw against the Czech Republic in Ostrava.

Germany are targeting another win in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland in their bid for a ideal 12 points from their first four games on the road to Russian Federation. “We’ve looked at Slovenia and the way they play and from when I looked at it I’ve had in my mind the profile of the midfield that we wanted to play”.

“What we got towards the end of the first half was opportunities on the counter and we possibly could have done a bit better. There’s room for improvement, but it was a good result”.

Northern Ireland won its last qualifying game 4 – 0 against San Marino and they are third in the group, two points below Azerbaijan.

Germany took their comfortable 2-0 lead into the break, and came close to making it three just shy of the hour mark.

The world champions outclassed Michael O’Neill’s side in a 1-0 victory at Euro 2016 in June.

Mesut Ozil fed Thomas Muller and when his flick around the corner came off Gareth McAuley, Draxler reacted quickly enough to drive a shot beyond McGovern.

There was no let-up from Low’s men after the goal and Khedira made it 2-0 shortly afterwards.

Northern Ireland threatened occasionally on the counterattack, lone striker Josh Magennis calling Manuel Neuer into action in the 39th minute, before Oliver Norwood fired a free-kick from the edge of the area over the top.

The trouble Northern Ireland encountered in their defeat in Paris stemmed from many sources, with Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels playing diagonal balls, Toni Kroos dictating play in the centre and Joshua Kimmich, a debutant that night, and fellow full-back Jonas Hector playing as wingers.

Goetze then had the ball in the net when he flicked Mueller’s pass into the net, but the goal was flagged for offside.

The main selection dilemma for O’Neill is in attack after substitute Kyle Lafferty impressed with a double in Saturday’s 4-0 win over San Marino. We lose the goal, it’s a great finish from Draxler, the second goal we’re disappointed with because we don’t lose many from set pieces.