Up to now, there have been only 2 match-days in the Euro 2012 Qualifiers, but some players have managed to make a greater impact than others in the goalscoring chart. In this article, we extract some information on each of the five leading goalscorers, based on the Top Scorers standings from UEFA’s official website.
1. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar: 5 Goals – Netherlands
Huntelaar is a 27-year old forward officially performing under the Netherlands’ national jersey. He also has an on-going career in Germany where he plays for Schalke. In the UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifiers, he has netted a record 5 goals in only 2 appearances. He was quick in scoring for Holland in their qualification for the Euro Championship, as he had no mercy against San Marino on Day 1.
The 80kg player stayed on the field for the whole 90 minutes, but although he made only 5 shots in total, he was able to clinch a precious hat-trick. With the match ending 5-0, the Netherlands had a strong boost ahead of their second game against visitors Finland. The hosts did concede a goal in that encounter, but again, Huntelaar’s presence was just what was needed. A brace from the Schalke talisman saved the Dutch in the end, being enough to give the World Cup finalists a 2-1 victory.
2. Jermain Defoe: 3 Goals – England
England’s Jermain Defoe was also in form at the beginning of the UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifiers, but he is set to lose is second spot in the goalscoring chart due to an injury. The 27-year old Tottenham striker suffered a wound on England duty last month, and he is therefore expected to make his return in November or December.
There have however been reports that Defoe’s physical condition is improving more rapidly than anticipated, but in spite of the fact that he could come back in time for Spurs, it is confirmed that he will not be able to feature for England this month. Jermain – who played 87 minutes on Day 1 – scored a hat-trick in England’s 4-0 win over Bulgaria on September 3. He played 71 minutes 4 days later away to Switzerland, but was not able to get his name on the scoring sheet in that match while the Three Lions defeated FIFA’s homeland 3-1.
3. Miroslav Klose: 3 Goals – Germany
Germany’s Miroslav Klose, 32, is also in the race of goalscorers. He has not been at his best for his club, and it appears he tends to be luckier in the German national football team than in Bayern Munich. He is currently on 3 goals in the UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifiers, in a total of 180 minutes.
Klose scored a winning goal away to Belgium in a game which ended 1-0 on September 3, and he added 2 goals to his tally afterward on Day 2 as he helped Germany burry Azerbaijan 6-1 at home. In view of his determination in attack, it is not surprising that he has no assist at the moment, but he could focus on what he does best for the DFB Eleven and send another warning to Holland’s Huntelaar.
4. Yossi Benayoun: 3 Goals – Israel
Yossi Benayoun is nothing less than an irreplaceable midfielder. The 30-year-old playmaker is presently registered at the Chelsea football club in England, with a goal in 3 appearances for the Blues in the Premier League this season. Benayoun, who has played the full 90 minutes in Israel’s 2 first games of the UEFA Euro 2012 Qualification, obtained a yellow card on Day 1; but he escaped a ban from his country’s third match by improving his behavior on Day 2.
Against Malta at home, he fired 5 times and bagged a hat-trick; whilst he failed to score away to Georgia on September 7. Unfortunately for the Blue and Whites, their captain will miss both qualifying games against Croatia and Greece which are set to take place on October 9 and 12, respectively. Benayoun was diagnosed with an Achilles injury on Tuesday, and the option of receiving pain-killing injections to be fit on Saturday is not likely to be offered by his doctors.
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5. Fernando Torres: 2 Goals – Spain
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is yet to enjoy his role in the Spanish national football team. Having undergone a poor campaign in the 2010 World Cup, Torres is now forced to miss Spain’s two next games in the UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland.
The 26-year-old attacker has thus been replaced by Valencia forward Aduriz in Coach Vicente del Bosque’s squad. Torres has only played 57 minutes of Spain’s qualification for the European Championship; but luckily on Day 1, 2 goals pushed his name in the fifth position of the goalscoring chart. Fernando scored each of his goals in each half against Liechtenstein; and just as many of the forwards competing in the qualifiers, he possesses no assist thus far.
