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WORLD SPORT

Second-half display boosts Germany

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Germany players celebrate one of their goals in their crushing win in Dortmund

DORTMUND, Germany -- Germany produced a sparkling second-half performance to beat the United States 4-1 in a friendly in Dortmund and lift the gloom surrounding the World Cup hosts.

Three goals in six minutes settled the match against a U.S. team missing most of their European-based players.

Bastian Schweinsteiger floated over a free kick that evaded everyone and crept in for the opener, just seconds after coming on as a 46th minute substitute.

Oliver Neuville blasted in a half-volley for 2-0 in the 73rd minute and Miroslav Klose tucked in the third goal.

Michael Ballack then headed the fourth from Klose's cross and although Steve Cherundolo pulled one back with a fortunate goal five minutes from time the display will ease the pressure on coach Juergen Klinsmann considerably.

Klinsmann, who had been under fire from all sides after a 4-1 defeat by Italy in their previous World Cup warm-up match, boldly opted for a three-man attack of Klose, Gerald Asamoah and Lukas Podolski and the early signs were certainly positive.

Ballack was just wide with a near-post header from a corner in the third minute and Philipp Lahm forced the first save from Keller three minutes later when he burst in from the left.

Ballack then set up the best move of a poor first half when he found Klose in space on the right in the 12th minute. Podolski reached the cross but was disappointingly wide with his shot.

A minute later Ballack was wide again with a header from Arne Friedrich's excellent cross - but Germany's attacking game soon fizzled out and the U.S. gave them a series of headaches for the rest of the half.

Germany were whistled off at the break but the introduction of Schweinsteiger at halftime helped turn the match.

It was a personal triumph for the Bayern Munich winger who had been erroneously named in a newspaper report in connection with a betting scandal, which has since been fully retracted.

The home side rediscovered their attacking verve after the early second-half goal, with chances coming thick and fast.

The U.S. were encouraged to attack, too, and Kahn had to be at his best to pull off a one-handed save to keep out Eddie Johnson's point-blank header in the 66th minute.

Germany settled the game with three fine goals in quick time.

Neuville, another second-half substitute, got their second goal with a superb strike before setting up Klose to run on goal and beat goalkeeper Kasey Keller with a measured finish.

Ballack's header gave Keller no chance for the fourth before the Americans got some reward as Kahn collided with Johnson when attempting to clear Cherundolo's hopeful punt, only to see the ball drift past him and into the net.

Germany get the World Cup underway with a Group A match against Costa Rica on June 9 in Munich.

The U.S. are in a tough Group D with Czech Republic, Italy and Ghana.

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