Berlin - Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann is convinced his players will keep their cool even if their quarter-final clash with Argentina on Friday becomes a heated affair.
After four dismissals in the second-round encounter between Portugal and Holland, Klinsmann said Monday a similar hard-fought match against Argentina in Berlin could not be ruled out.
'These are all-or-nothing games where emotions run high,' he said.
'Games in the knock-out stage are keenly fought. You can only hope as coach that the players stay controlled and disciplined and keep themselves under control, but anything is possible as we saw in the game between Portugal and Holland.'
Klinsmann said his players had the 'right attitude' and it was 'hard to imagine' them losing their discipline in view of the work done with the squad over the past few weeks.
'We have a certain equanimity in the squad and every player knows what he has to do. I believe we are mentally best prepared for the task ahead of us against Argentina,' he said.
The players 'have developed a feeling for what this World Cup means, that it is something unique in their careers - it is not something they will carelessly put at risk'.
The German players were to report back to the team hotel by 8 p.m. Monday after being given time off from Sunday afternoon.
Captain Michael Ballack, who suffered a slight foot injury during the 2-0 victory over Sweden, has fully recovered, Klinsmann said.
Germany have not beaten a major football power since a 1-0 victory over England at Wembley in October 2000. But Klinsmann pointed out that since he took over after Euro 2004 the side had been beaten only once by one of the bigger nations, a 3-2 loss to Brazil at last summer's Confederations Cup.
'I am very optimistic,' he said. 'I think it is a good time right now to end the series and reach the semi-final.' Germany 'don't have to hide from any team at this World Cup', he said.
'We know we will now be facing a team with enormous calibre in Argentina but we can match them. We have the firm belief that we can beat Argentina. We are in good shape, have a lot of confidence and have very good players as well, and therefore we will go for it.'
Klinsmann meanwhile dismissed as 'speculation' reports that the US football association would like him as coach after the World Cup.
'It is probably normal that with every team that is knocked out there will be a coaching question. This does not interest me in the least,' he said. 'I am only interested in my job here with the team and this must continue until the final.'
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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