Nothing to lose

U.S. says pressure is on Germany in quarterfinal

Updated: Thursday June 20, 2002 08:47 p.m. ET

ULSAN, South Korea (Reuters) -- A revived German squad is confident it can reach its first World Cup semifinal in 12 years, but in the way stands a U.S. team with absolutely nothing to lose.

"I think all the pressure's on Germany," American coach Bruce Arena said of Friday's intriguing quarterfinal. "They are supposed to win this game."

Germany, in the last eight for the 14th time in 15 finals after a relatively smooth run, are indeed the big favorites.

But it has been a tournament of upsets and the Americans would love to inflict on their prestigious opponents their third quarter-final defeat in as many World Cups.

Germany coach Rudi Voeller was confident the team that were supposed to win would prevail for a change.

"It's looking good," said the former World Cup striker who was in the team the last time the Germans reached the last four, on their way to their third title in 1990.

"We have a great opportunity and the players can't wait for the game."

But Germany captain Oliver Kahn, who was reserve goalkeeper when the team lost in the quarterfinals to Bulgaria in 1994 and Croatia four years ago, sounded a cautious note.

"We were expected to win both those matches," he remembered.

EARLY EXIT

Germany suffered an early exit from Euro 2000 and a shaky run in qualifying but they have recaptured their winning habits with perfect timing, courtesy of a great team spirit.

"We all stand closely together and we all share the same dream," said Kahn.

Voeller said a repeat of Germany's sluggish performance in a 1-0 second round win over Paraguay would not be good enough but improvement should come with the return of defender Carsten Ramelow and midfielders Dietmar Hamann and Christian Ziege from suspension.

The United States have not ventured this far in a World Cup since reaching the semifinals by playing just two games in 1930.

The Americans, well-drilled and fit, will pose problems to the German defense with swift breakaways as they did in their stunning wins over Portugal and Mexico.

Germany have a potential match winner in Miroslav Klose, the tournament's joint top scorer with five goals, and are physically bigger than the Americans which could count for a lot at set pieces. They have also conceded just one goal so far.

But American coach Bruce Arena said his team was in "perfect rhythm" and ready to cause an upset. "We need to be aggressive, we need to be quick and aloof," he said.

Germany (3-5-2): 1-Oliver Kahn; 21-Christoph Metzelder, 5-Carsten Ramelow, 2-Thomas Linke; 22-Torsten Frings, 19-Bernd Schneider, 8-Dietmar Hamann, 13- Michael Ballack, 6-Christian Ziege; 11-Miroslav Klose, 7-Oliver Neuville.

United States (3-5-2): 1-Brad Friedel; 23-Eddie Pope, 4-Pablo Mastroeni, 3-Gregg Berhalter; 22-Tony Sanneh, 21-Landon Donovan, 10-Claudio Reyna, 5-John O'Brien, 2-Frank Hejduk; 11-Clint Mathis, 20-Brian McBride.

Referee: Hugh Dallas (Scotland)

Linesmen: Philip Sharp (England)

Ali Traifi Ali (Saudi Arabia)

Copyright 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.