Saturday, May 25, 2002
Germany coping with injuries, lower expectations
By NESHA STARCEVIC
Associated Press Writer
FRANKFURT, Germany — Beset by injuries and embarrassing defeats, Germany is going into the World Cup with a different mind-set this time.
The three-time champion isn't a contender any more. Getting out of the first round is the official goal.
“The German team is not ready yet. German football is a little bit depressed at the moment,” said Franz Beckenbauer, who won titles as a player and coach.
Optimists believe that with a bit of luck, Germany could go as far as the semifinals if it gets out of Group E, which includes Saudi Arabia, Cameroon and Ireland. But no one is mentioning the title.
Two years ago, after Germany's hapless Euro 2000 campaign left the team in tatters, just reaching the World Cup looked tough. But in two years coach Rudi Voeller has helped turn the team around.
He was hired in October 2000, after a cocaine scandal involving coach-designate Christoph Daum. Once considered a temporary solution, Voeller now has a contract through the 2006 World Cup in his homeland.
With almost no coaching experience, the former striker who won the 1990 title took over a team low on confidence and skill, and battered by public ridicule. He brought in some new players and restored team respect.
Still, there was the shocking 5-1 home loss to England during World Cup qualifying after Germany had won 1-0 at Wembley. But the Germans beat Ukraine to avoid the ultimate embarrassment of not qualifying for soccer's biggest tournament.
In six warmup matches since then, Germany has shown mixed form. It beat World Cup-bound United States 4-2, but looked outclassed in a 1-0 loss to Argentina, one of the favorites.
It thrashed two non-qualifiers — Israel 7-1, Kuwait 7-0, but also lost to lowly Wales 1-0. Four days later, in its last tuneup, it beat Austria 6-2.
It's been difficult to judge how good — or bad — Germany is. Voeller never had the best roster in warmup matches, sometimes missing up to a dozen World Cup travelers.
Against Austria, Germany's forwards and midfielders looked strong, and striker Miroslav Klose probably secured his place as a starter with three goals. He now has eight in 12 games.
“We were really good in the attack,” Voeller said, “but I wasn't too happy with the defense.”
The back line has been hurt by the absence of two starting central defenders, Jens Nowotny and Christian Woerns, who will miss the World Cup with injuries.
Midfielder Mehmet Scholl dropped out even before Voeller announced his roster and Sebastian Deisler was ruled out after reinjuring his right knee against Austria, leaving the Germans without some of their most creative players.
Germany's chances could depend on Klose and midfielder Michael Ballack, Bundesliga's player of the season and second best scorer with 17 goals.
Germany will also display its traditional strengths such as team work, stamina and determination. The Germans also tend to be a strong tournament team, growing with every match.
“Getting into the second round must be our minimum goal,” Voeller said. “Anything else would be a bonus, but we do want to go far. I am sure my players will go into every match with a good attitude.
“But we also have to be honest. We are not among the favorites, but we would like to cause many surprises.”
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Germany coping with injuries, lower expectations
