FIFA World Cup 2010: Injury Threatens Klose’s Dreams Of Record Breaking
Miroslav Klose was a dejected figure after Germany were defeated in the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup by Spain. However, the German striker would have seen the silver lining in the third place play-off match against Uruguay as it was an opportunity for him to break the all-time goal scoring record held by the Brazilian Ronaldo.
This silver lining seems to be quickly fading for the German striker as according to the latest news, he might be ruled out of the play-off tie against Uruguay after sustaining an injury to his back. The German target man has so far scored four goals in his appearances for Germany in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Klose is only second to Ronaldo in the all time top goal scorer’s standings for the FIFA World Cup competitions. Currently at a total of 14 goals, he needs two more strikes to become the top scorer in FIFA World Cup competitions, as Ronaldo is at the top of the list right now with 15 goals.
Klose is famous for producing world class performances for Germany in their World Cup campaigns but has so far failed to make an impact at the club level. In the 2009-2010 season with Bayern Munich, Klose was limited to a substitute’s role.
In the 2002 World Cup, Klose made his first appearance for Germany in the World Cup finals. After scoring five headed goals for Germany in the competition, he finished the tournament as the joint top goal scorer. At the end of the world cup, Klose finished as a striker in the all-star team of the 2002 World Cup.
In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Klose again did remarkably well for the Germans. He scored a total of five goals in the tournament and unlike four years ago, only one of his goals was from a header. Klose again made it to the All-star World Cup team at the end of the tournament.
Hansi Flick, the German assistant coach has told the press that Klose is a serious doubt for the third place play-off contest against Uruguay. He said that the striker sustained a back injury during the semi-final match against Spain.
Klose, who is 32 years old right now is probably playing in his last World Cup because by the time FIFA World Cup in Brazil comes about in four years time, Klose will be 36 years old. If he fails to make it into the lineup for the match because of the injury then it would probably signal a disappointing end to a great World Cup career for the German striker.
Flick explained that Klose’s injury had been sustained after the striker took a knock in one of the aerial challenges against the Spanish defense. He also explained that the German captain, Philip Lahm is a doubt for the match but will most probably recover to take his place at the right side of the German defense. Lahm has been one of the most outstanding fullbacks in the World Cup so far.
Germany’s young midfielder Sami Khedira is also a doubt for the match. Germany’s young guns impressed throughout the World Cup but failed to surpass the experienced Spanish side in the semi-finals. The third place play-off match between Germany and Uruguay takes place on Saturday, 10th June at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
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