Germany down Austria 3-0 in under-19 European Championship

Hosts Germany overcame Austria 3-0 by courtesy of two quick second-half goals at the last Group A game of under-19 European championship in Reutlingen.

After two straight defeats, Germany on Sunday grabbed a 3-0 victory, thanks to the second-half goals from Phil Neumann, Cedric Teubert and Goekhan Guel, reports Xinhua.

Germany controlled the proceedings from the kick-off but it was Austria, who got their first chance on target with 15 minutes into the game, as Stefan Posch's header went wide following a corner.

The Germans kept Austria's goalkeeper Paul Gartler busier as Cedric Teuchert, Philipp Ochs and Benjamin Heinrichs came close to breaking the deadlock. Yet, both sides took the goalless draw into the break.

After the restart, Neumann took advantage of Jannes-Kilian Horn's free kick to the far post to open the scoring with 50 minutes played.

The hosts gained momentum and doubled the lead only two minutes later when Horn's pinpoint cross into the box found Teuchert, who headed home past Gartler.

Austria tried to respond but Arnel Jakupovic missed a cross inside the box before Germany rounded off their performance through Guel, whose header tripled the lead.

With the result, third-placed Germany will either face against the Netherlands or France for the FIFA U-20 World Cup play-off on Thursday. Meanwhile, fourth placed Austria will travel home.

Portugal topped Group A, followed by Italy, Germany and Austria.

--IANS

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