The Hindu : Sport / Football : Germany to go all out against Latvia

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Saturday, Jun 19, 2004

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Germany to go all out against Latvia

PORTO, JUNE 18. Kevin Kuranyi is getting help up front, and the Germany striker has set an ambitious goal for Saturday's match against Latvia.

``I think we have to create a lot of pressure and score many goals,'' Kuranyi said on Thursday.

Kuranyi's team chief, Rudi Voeller, would be happy just to get three points — no matter how — in the Group `D' game.

Germany, the World Cup runner-up and three-time European champion, produced a strong performance in its opener against the Netherlands on Tuesday, but conceded a late goal and settled for a 1-1 draw.

The Czech Republic rallied to beat Latvia 2-1 and leads the group with three points. Germany needs to win against Latvia in Porto to get close to securing a spot in the quarterfinal. The Dutch and the Czechs clash in Aveiro, also on Saturday.

``We have to be more threatening in front of the goal, we have to be a little bit more offensive and there will be a second striker,'' Voeller said.

Kuranyi said he did not have a preferred partner, but it was likely to be the experienced Fredi Bobic. To make space, defensive midfielder Frank Baumann is likely to move to the bench.

Voeller cautioned his players against overconfidence.

``Yes, we had a good game against the Netherlands, but we did not win and nothing has been decided in our group.

``Latvia is not here by accident. Everyone is talking about Sweden's great 5-0 win over Bulgaria here. Sweden lost only one qualifying game and that was against Latvia. Then they beat Turkey, third-place finisher at the World Cup, in the play-off.

Central defender Jens Nowotny skipped Thursday's closed training session with a minor knee problem, while another defender, Arne Friedrich, was rested by Voeller.

Maris Verpakovskis, the ``Riga Rocket,'' scored the Latvian goal against the Czechs and said he could do it again.

Germany found out on Thursday that its captain and goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has a Latvian grandmother.

According to Bild newspaper, Kahn's grandfather, Rolf, was a Baltic German working for the German navy in the Latvian port of Liepaja. He married a Latvian woman, Erika Alksnis. Kahn's father, also named Rolf, was born in Liepaja and the family went to Germany during World War II, settling in Karlsruhe.

Kahn, who turned 35 on Tuesday, confirmed the story.

``It's true, I do have a certain link to Latvia ... but sorry, there won't be any presents on Saturday,'' he said.

Battle of big men

Elsewhere, two big strikers with large reputations are likely to have a major impact on the heavyweight Group `D' clash between Holland and the Czech Republic.

In the Dutch corner stands Ruud van Nistelrooy, whose dramatic and brilliantly executed equaliser earned his side a 1-1 draw with Germany in its opening match.

Standing in the opposite corner is the tallest professional player in Europe, the (6ft 8 ins) Jan Koller.

Van Nistelrooy will lead the Dutch attack alone, while Koller, supported by Milan Baros, will use his great height and under-rated skills on the ground to rattle the Dutch defenders who struggled to cope with Germany's physical approach.

Victory for Koller and the Czechs would guarantee them a place in the quarterfinal, while a Dutch win would provide a release from the intense pressure surrounding its camp.

It would also give them a good chance of a place in the last eight, although much still depends on how Germany fares against Latvia.

Group `D', comprising three former European champions, was always going to be the toughest and although the Czechs have a slight advantage following its 2-1 win over Latvia, anything is still possible.

The fact the teams also know each other so well should have a bearing on the outcome. Neither is likely to surprise the other either tactically or psychologically, although the Czechs definitely go into the match in a more confident frame of mind.

The two teams were in the same qualifying group, with the Czechs coming out on top thanks to a 1-1 draw in Amsterdam and a 3-1 win in Prague, and they are also in the same qualifying section for the 2006 World Cup.

The Czechs have slight injury worries over defenders Rene Bolf (knee) and Zdenek Grygera, who went to hospital with swollen glands on Thursday, but both are expected to be fit.

The hot weather has also taken its toll, with playmaker Pavel Nedved and fellow midfielder Tomas Rosicky suffering from headaches, while Koller needed an intravenous drip after losing five kilos in the win over Latvia.

Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf has returned to full training after recovering from an injury and may come back into the side.

Coach Dick Advocaat sprung a surprise by selecting Boudewijn Zenden ahead of youngster Wesley Sneijder in midfield against Germany.

Edgar Davids was also taken off at half-time against the Germans after failing to impose himself but his experience should be vital in trying to curb the rich creative talents of Nedved and Rosicky. — Agencies

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