FIFA 2010 World Cup: Joachim Loew prepares Germany to take on roaring Three Lions of England, a must see match
The first phase of the World Cup is almost over and we are getting ready to brace ourselves for some mouthwatering encounters, none more so than the Germany-England clash in the final 16 of the World Cup. The 2 former world champions do have a history between them and it promises to be a feisty affair. Both teams played a nervy final game where they had to win at all costs and came up with hard fought wins.
German coach Joachim Loew believes Germany will face tough opposition against England, when the 2 European foes come face to face in the big game on Sunday.
Germany defeated Ghana 1-0 in the final group game and finished on top of Group D, while England finished 2nd in group C behind USA after beating Slovenia by the same score line.
Loew said it sure is going to be special, considering there is so much history between the two teams.
He added that, no doubt they have some excellent players who have a lot of experience. And Wayne Rooney who has been quiet till now may explode any time, so they know they have a match on their hands.
England were less than impressive in their first 2 games, they drew 1-1 with the United States and later played out a tame and boring goalless draw against Algeria.
However, Loew thinks that Fabio Capello's team are gaining momentum and confidence just at the right time, and one should not look at them based on their first two performances.
Loew went on to say that he has seen all their matches till now, it was not a big surprise to see them struggle in the first 2 games, as some teams do take some time to gel together and that is precisely what happened with England. Sometimes players need to have a certain amount of game time with their fellow players to get used to the whole system. And now he believes they have done that.
The German manager has no intentions of taking it easy on Sunday, he said that they are a dangerous outfit and I am not taking anything for granted, they have experience and talent in abundance, so make no mistake about it they will come out all guns blazing at us.
England would have taken a huge sigh of relief once Defoe netted in the first goal, and they were on target to finish top of their group, which would have meant they avoided Germany and played Ghana. But USA managed to find one of the most nerve wracking final minute goals to make their way to the final 16, and now they have the easier task of taking on Ghana.
England and Germany have come face to face on 4 occasions in World Cups, the last of which was back in 1990 in Italy, Germany came out 4-3 winners on penalties, England were also sent home in the final 8 in the last world cup on penalties. So Capello will be making sure he gets his players and goal keeper ready for another possible penalty shootout.
By a great distance the most famous encounter between the 2 has to be the final of World Cup in 1966, that was when England won their only World Cup beating West Germany(as it was in those days) 4 goals to 2 in extra time at Wembley.
Loew, who was deputy to Jurgen Klinsmann in 2006, while reflecting on the performance against Ghana said that his team certainly did not play to their full potential, and there is a lot more to improve before the next match.
So it is sure to be the most interesting encounter of the World Cup so far, apart from of course the final group encounter between Portugal and Brazil.
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