Confident Germans set sights on Argentina

By Barry Whelan Jun 28, 2006, 17:28 GMT

Berlin - German players swapped footballs for bows and arrows Wednesday as their quarter-final encounter with Argentina loomed.

While one group played football-tennis in a 'leisure activity' programme, another were introduced to the world of archery by a national coach and a team of archers.

'I think they enjoyed it,' said assistant coach Joachim Loew.

Miroslav Klose, the keenest marksman at the tournament so far with four goals, was not commentating on how accurate his shooting was. But the Germans were no doubt aware of the symbolism: on Friday in Berlin, the team has Argentina in its sights.

Confidence is running high in the German camp after the 2-0 second-round victory over Sweden and three group wins. Juergen Klinsmann's team is free of injuries. Michael Ballack and Klose, who have been treated for a swollen ankle and an inflamed foot tendon respectively, are in no doubt for Friday's match, said Loew.

'We know that Argentina are a top team and before the World Cup were a favourite to win the final, but now they have the bad luck to be meeting us,' Klose said, reflecting the mood in the squad.

'We have the chance to beat Argentina. We know they are a good team but if we put them under pressure for 90 minutes they will make mistakes, and we have to concentrate on these and take advantage of them.'

Loew said the quarter-final match in Berlin on Friday would be the most difficult yet for the hosts but there was no nervousness in the side.

'We are going into this game with a lot of self-confidence after the last few games and are convinced we can beat Argentina,' he said.

Argentina have plenty of strengths and few weaknesses, said Loew who described Germany's opponents as the 'best attuned and most homogeneous' team in the World Cup. 'But of course we have looked at solutions to show the team how can we beat Argentina,' he said.

Germany were far stronger than when the two sides met and drew twice last year, and as a result Argentina would not be going into the game as confident as they would have been in the past, he said.

'We are now a step further in this tournament, we are in a position to dictate a game and bring our own qualities to play. It is important that we go into the game with courage, confidence and optimism,' he said.

Germany will be beware of midfielder Juan Ramon Riquelme, also from set-pieces, and would also have to prevent the midfield feeding the ball through to the strikers, said Loew.

Klose described Argentina strikers Javier Saviola and Hernan Crespo as 'special'. Saviola was good on the ball and Crespo was a player like Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy. 'You don't see him the whole game and then he shoots the decisive goal,' he said.

Germany have not beaten a traditional football power for almost six years but goalkeeper Oliver Kahn said the statistics 'mean nothing' for Friday's match or a tournament like the World Cup.

'We are in a completely different situation,' said Kahn, who is now the number two in goal behind Jens Lehmann.

'We may not have won, but the games were mostly drawn - against Brazil 1-1 and (twice) against Argentina 2-2 - and at the World Cup it continues. There is extra time, there is the penalty shoot-out, and we know that we Germans have an incredibly positive record and tradition as far as penalties are concerned.'