Well the WYC moved to Brisbane last night in the first of a 
double header involving Germany and Portugal.

Portugal : 1.Paulo Constinha (GK), 3. Pedro Henriques, 5. 'Litos' Magalhaes, 
	   7. Nelson Morais, 8. Nuno Afonso, 9. Sergio Ribeiro, 13. 'Bambo'
	   Cassama, 14. Paulo Poejo, 15. Paulo Ferreira, 17. Hugo Porfirio,
	   18. 'Andrade' Oliveira
Coach	: Agostinho Oliveira

Germany	: 1. Dimo Wache (GK), 2. Werner Protzel, 3. Frank Meissner, 4. Mirko
	  Stark, 5. Markus Schwiederowski, 6. Maximillian Eberl, 8. Guido
	  Jorres, 9. Carsten Jancker, 10. Dietmar Hamann, 11. Andre 
	  Breitenreiter, 15. Manfred Burghartswieser
Coach	: Rainer Bonhof

Referee	: Remy Harrel (France)

	That's how they lined up and Portugal, strong favourites for the title
and 4-0 winners over Germany last year, were fancied to win. The pitch was
slippery as it had rained until an hour before kick off and ball control and
footing was difficult. Indeed it seemed too difficult for the Portuguese who
decided to try the 'hit and hope' method from the back. They almost never
found the forwards and were always cleaned up by the German defence. Germany
for their part tried to play the dominant midfield game, passing the ball
around but seldom going forward with any purpose or speed.
	Germany's physical [no, I don't mean dirty] play cost then in free
kicks early on and Portugal also conceded one or two. Neither side was able 
to make anything out of these early shots on goal. German goalpoacher
Jancker was tightly marked, apparently with good reason. Jancker had broken
two goalnets with his target practice at training. Before 30 minutes were up
both Hamann and Jancker had been carded for fouls, showing either cynicism
or enthusiasm, it was hard to tell. Afonso for Portugal was a little nervous
at the back, conceeding free kicks and being beaten on more than one occasion.
	Probably the best oppertunity of the half fell to the Germans who 
were awarded an IFK from the edge of the box. Initially it seemed the kick
was for the Goalkeeper handling outside the area (he jumped for a high ball
and his left foot was clearly outside the area when he landed), however the
referee seemed to indicate feet high when the Portuguese protested. In the end
it mattered little as Portugal came off their line to charge down the kick.
	The commentator spoke of the intended captain, Kenedy, being injured
and ruled out before the tournament and also said two players were found to
posess passports with incorrect birthdates. They were infact too old and were
also not coming. The way they played it was obvious why they would want to
pull this kind of stunt. Champions or not Portugal are now my favourites to
come last in their group, of course they might prove me wrong.
	Germany was hit hard by a tackle on playmaker Guido Jorres by Nelson
Morais. He was felled heavily while holding the ball at his feet, and was
stretchered off & replaced by Carsten Ramelow. Minutes later in a Brisbane
hospital the suspected broken leg was found to be a broken ankle. His
Youth Cup lasted barely 30 minutes, Germany seemed even more directionless
without him and will miss him sorely.
	Before the half was out Portugal had a decent chance at goal
resulting from Wache's fumbles but was cleaned up in the nick of time. The 
0-0 scoreline at halfway was proof of uninspired, slow play with neither side
wanting to lose, hence afraid to risk going for a win.
	10 minutes into the second half two more Germans were booked and this
seemed like the result of a halftime rocket from coach Bonhof. Germany improved
in this half, though Portugal was not doing any better they still held the
Germans out. Germany had three, almost consecutive, chances to score. Eberl
had his long range effort deflected over the bar by sliding defence at his
feet, the resulting corner was headed goalwards by Breitenreiter and the
keeper, who rushed for the catch, had to backpedal in an awful hurry to tip
the ball over the bar. The next corner was volleyed wide by Hamann.
	Portugal replied with a near thing after Wache fumbled a cross. Still
these were highlights in an otherwise dreary affair. Joao Costa replaced 
Ferreira after about 65 minutes. Portugal's keeper was also less than sound
and injured his back and knee in the second half to keep his injured elbow
company. Portugal almost went ahead with a cross across the goalmouth played
to soon (or too hard depending on which way you look at it) to let Bambo head
it in.
	More and more it seemed like a draw. Portugal showing some desperation,
Germany were happy to counterattack. 60 seconds out from halftime the hearts
of Portugal players and fans were broken by Jancker. A nice pass from half-way
saw Eberl show exceptional speed down the right to reach the ball and cross
into the area. I don't know who but one of the Portuguese defenders chested
the ball down in front of goal and seemed terribly surprised that Jancker
was there to thank him for putting the ball at his feet. He tested the strength
of this particular net and slotted the ball left of the keeper in a difficult
but clear cut chance. Portugal were frantic to get the equaliser in the next
70 seconds that followed and were held out by a professional defence. A game
which was lacklustre and looked like a draw went to the Germans who, though
not brilliant, were deserving of a win.
	Deutschland, Deutschland, Deutschland, Deutschland, Deuts....