Wounded Lions Versus Crouching Tigers
October 12, 2005
Germany is hoping that quick and decisive victory against China on Wednesday will deflect some of the criticism still circling afte their embarrassing 1:2 loss in Istanbul last Saturday. Still, the million dollar question on everyone's lips remans: can Jürgen Klinsmann's team reinvigorate themselves over the course of a few days and present a new image to the nearly sold-out crowd at Hamburg's AOL-Arena?
Speaking to DW-WORLD, Germany's assistant coach Joachim Löw doesn't mince words: "The German team must beat China--There is no alternative."
Intent on not underestimating their rival, Löw says the coaching staff has put in overtime "reviewing video footage of the Chinese team and discussing tactics".
Klose back on the team
With team captain Michael Ballack sidelined with the flu, the Germans have few options other then to give midfielder Torsten Frings yet another chance to prove his leadership qualities against China where he will hopefully bounce-back from his poor play against the Turks.
Likewise, changes will likely be made on defence with Marcell Jansen suffering from a pulled hamstring and Lukas Sinkiewics from a bruised foot. In attack, Miroslav Klose is available, although it remains uncertain whether the Werder Bremen striker will play.
Modesty in the key
Against Kahn and Company China's coach, Zhu Guanghu isn't leaving anything to chance. In an interview with DW-WORLD he said, "We've already studied the video of the Germany-Turkey game". In spite of the fact that some say the current German team is not up to form Zhu remains humble when speaking to the press: "Germany is a traditionally dominant force in European soccer. We've come primarily to learn."
Germany isn't a complete unknown for at least three of the Chinese players. Shao Jiavi played for 1860 München, Xie Hui donned colors for both Alemannia Aachen and Greunther Fürth and Zheng Zhi recently tried out for Hertha BSC.
Eyes on the prize
After Kuwait barley edged China out of the current World Cup qualifying round, the Chinese team has set their sights squarely on the future--namely, the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing and the 2010 World Cup. Squaring off against Klinsmann's squad should provide a useful benchmark for the future.
China's striker, Xie Hui told DW-WORLD that the Chinese had nothing by but praise for the German team and was looking forward to the experience that playing against Klinsmann's team would bring them. "The game on Wednesday is a good chance for China to toughen-up," he said.