WORLD CUP USA ’94 / ROUND OF 16 : TODAY’S GAMES AT A GLANCE : At Soldier Field / Chicago
Germany vs. Belgium
* TIME: 10 a.m. PDT
* TV: ABC, Univision
* KEY MATCHUPS: In a defensive struggle, the game could come down to a make-or-break showdown between Germany’s Juergen Klinsmann and Michel Preud’homme, Belgium’s brilliant goalkeeper. After the first round, only Russia’s Oleg Salenko had scored more goals than Klinsmann. Salenko, of course, scored five of his six in one game, against Cameroon. Klinsmann, who has four, scored at least one goal in every match. Preud’homme finished group play as the top-ranked goalkeeper among those who played three games. He gave up one goal--the game-winner against Saudi Arabia--while making 17 saves.
Offense has been a problem for Belgium, which scored two goals in three games. More bad news: One of its two goal scorers was forward Marc Degryse, who suffered a groin injury against the Saudis and probably won’t play today. Belgium thought it had an offensive spark in Josip Weber, the Croatian-born forward who led the Belgian league in scoring the last two seasons. The knock on Weber was he disappeared for stretches during matches. After three games, Belgium is preparing an all-points bulletin: In 217 minutes, Weber has no goals or assists.
* OUTLOOK: Both teams are somewhat strapped. Berti Vogts, the German coach, still hasn’t decided who will play forward opposite Klinsmann: Rudi Voeller or Mario Basler. Belgium is two victories shy of equaling its 1986 performance when it reached the semifinals.
* OUTCOME: The German defense will be vulnerable if sweeper Lothar Matthaeus’ injured left foot is less than 100%. The German goaltending has been shaky of late. The Germans are poised for a fall. While Belgium doesn’t have the offense to take advantage, it can lean on Preud’homme. This game will end in a 0-0 tie and go to a shootout. There, Preud’homme saves the day and Belgium pulls off the upset.
