"We started pretty well in the first half. We eased off in the second," said Germany coach Joachim Löw after the match. A lot of chances were missed and the opponents had too many. "But we'll be livelier and more dynamic and play with more power in next week's World Cup opener against Mexico."
A sell-out 30,210 crowd provided an atmospheric setting at the BayArena, with lots of families, children and teenagers getting behind Germany. The hosts took the lead after just eight minutes with Timo Werner scoring the opener after good work by Joshua Kimmich and Marco Reus. Germany made a promising start and dominated proceedings early on but then were careless and not always sharp up front. Saudi Arabia, who face Russia in the opening game of the World Cup on 14 June, came close to equalising. After the German woodwork was hit twice, the hosts doubled the lead before the break with an own goal from Hawsawi (43').
Julian Brandt replaced Thomas Müller on 73 minutes and he had a good chance to make it 3-0 two minutes later but he failed to connect properly with a whipped-in cross from Mario Gomez. The Saudis pulled a goal back with five minutes to play. Marc André ter Stegen saved a penalty taken by Al-Sahlawi but Al-Jassim was able to net the rebound.
The match against Saudi Arabia was the eighth international to be played at Leverkusen. Germany have a good record here with seven wins and one draw.
Germany set off for Russia at the start of the week. The holders of the World Cup meet Mexico (17 June), Sweden (23 June) and South Korea (27 June) in Group F.
A first win in the preseason: In the last friendly before the start of a two-week break in training, the Bayer 04 Women beat top-flight Dutch side Ajax 1-0. In the match played over three 30-minute thirds Vanessa Fudalla scored the goal for the Werkself. In the previous two friendlies this summer, the team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold lost 2-0 two Bundesliga rivals TSG Hoffenheim and drew 1-1 with the Dutch team PEC Zwolle.
Show moreAlejo Sarco has joined the Werkself training camp in Brazil. The 19-year-old striker, signed from Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield in January, talks to bayer04.de about his first six months in Germany, help from Exequiel Palacios and his targets up to the end of the year.
Show moreThe friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team on Friday, 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) represents the sporting highlight of the current Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Ahead of the clash at the Estádio da Gávea against the highly successful youth team, there was a media event with the two Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes plus head coach Erik ten Hag. The trio talked about the forthcoming opponents, first impressions of Brazil and the reasons for holding the training camp in the land of the five-time World Cup winners. Here are the key statements.
Show moreDay three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Today, Thursday 17 July, sees the two new signings Jarell Quansah and Christian Kofane join the squad in training. Plus the former Werkself players Paulo Sergio and Rodrigo Chagas visit the Bayer AG Football School. In the afternoon there is a big media event ahead of the friendly against the Flamengo U20s. As usual, Bayer04.de keeps you up-to-date with on-the-spot reports. The blog for day three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings given in local time).
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