 |
| |
|
 |
 |
|
|
SEOGWIPO, South Korea (Ticker) -- Three-time World Cup winner Germany and lightly-regarded Paraguay kick off the knockout stagees of the World Cup on Saturday, when the teams meet in conditions that are predicted to be oppressively hot. The Germans posted a hard-fought 2-0 victory over African Nations Cup winner Cameroon to advance to the last 16, despite having defender Carsten Ramelow sent off late in the first half. "The players did perform just in the moment when it was needed. That is the way new teams are born," Germany coach Rudi Voller said. However, Voller will be forced to replace three starters, all of whom are suspended. Defender Ramelow, left wing Christian Ziege and defensive midfielder Dietmar Hamann will be sorely missed. Furthermore, playmaker Michael Ballack is doubtful due to a calf injury. Ballack has not trained the past two days and is expected to be a match-time decision. The 25-year-old was a major influence in the three group games, despite playing with a bruised foot. Germanys once-mighty defense has looked shaky when the team employs a 3-5-2 scheme. So, Voller is expected to revert to the flat back four which was impressive against Cameroon. Substitutes Jens Jeremies and Marco Bode, who joined tournament top-scorer Miroslav Klose (five goals) on the score sheet in the previous match, are expected to start. Paraguay looked dead and buried before turning a one-goal deficit into a 3-1 win over already-eliminated Slovenia, edging out South Africa for a second-round berth on account of scoring more goals. Nelson Cuevas scored two goals in the final 25 minutes to lift Paraguay. But he is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. He likely will start on the bench. While Paraguay coach Cesare Maldini called the match against Germany "as tough as it gets," eccentric goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert expressed confidence his country was capable of springing another surprise. "We can knock Germany out. We respect them, but we can beat them", the 37-year-old Chilavert said. "It will be the duel of Oliver Kahn and Chilavert. Were the best keepers of the world." Many experts share his opinion of German skipper Kahn, who has allowed just one goal thus far. But Chilavert is considered past his prime. But this will not keep him from trying to become the first goalie in World Cup history to score a goal. He is a free-kick specialist. Gifted youngster Roque Santa Cruz proved he can overcome Bayern Munich teammate Kahn in training, but it remains to be seen whether he can do the same in match conditions. The South Americans became the first nation to suffer defeat by golden goal, when they crashed out in the second round against host France four years ago. Germany, on the other hand, has much to prove after two consecutive quarterfinal exits, both coming against underdog teams (Bulgaria and Croatia). However, the 1990 World Cup winners are heavily favored to dominate this encounter as the brutal weather conditions (almost 80 degrees and 70 percent humidity) might be the only thing to play into Paraguays hands. Aware that his troops "haven't accomplished anything thus far", Kahn believes its about time to make some noise because: "The real tournament starts now." |
|
||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
