A lot at stake for Germany and England

CHARLEROI (BELGIUM), JUNE 16. History, passion, national pride and a likely place in the quarterfinals of Euro 2000 football tournament will all be at stake here on Saturday, when England takes on defending champion Germany.

But coaches Kevin Keegan and Erich Ribbeck will only worry about the implications of defeat or victory in the Group `A' tie, which both sides need to win if they are to stand a realistic chance of making progress.

Both teams are coming off a disappointing opener, though England's 3-2 defeat to Portugal was a lot harder to digest than Germany's 1-1 draw with Romania.

England's finest moment in nearly a century and a half of football came one summer afternoon in 1966 when it beat West Germany 4-2 in the World Cup final at Wembley. And it hasn't beaten it in a competitive match since.

The last time England squandered a 2-0 lead, as it did against Portugal last Monday, was against West Germany at the 1970 World Cup. England's last major tournament ended with a defeat to Germany on penalties, at Euro 96, the same fate as befell it at the semifinals of the 1990 World Cup.

If Manchester United hadn't beaten Bayern Munich 2-1 in the 1999 European Cup finals, albeit with two goals in injury- time, there would have seemed little point in Keegan's men turning up here on Saturday.

England captain Alan Shearer is convinced that 34 years of unstinting defeat is about to end. ``We believe it's our turn now. Our time has come...We believe we will beat Germany and then Romania and make it through to quarterfinals.''

Former skipper Paul Ince was also confident: ``we know we can beat the Germans, we know we can beat the Romanians... We just have to win both games and kick on.''

Defender Tony Adams and winger Steve McManaman won't be doing any kicking after being ruled out through injury, with Arsenal teammate Martin Keown and Chelsea skipper Dennis Wise expected to replace them.

Though McManaman scored England's second goal, Wise would probably be more help to Ince in the crucial battle in midfield, one that Keegan's men lost on Monday despite a fine performance from David Beckham.

Keegan said of the United midfielder: ``if he plays two more matches like that one, we will get through into the next round.'' However, Shearer and Michael Owen, if selected, will need to improve up front, as will the England defence, with the notable exception of Sol Campbell.

But if England has its problems, the situation is little better in the German camp after a protracted row over 39- year-old libero Lothar Matthaus and a calf injury to skipper and centre- forward Oliver Bierhoff.

Matthaus was hammered in the German press for his ponderous performance against Romania, even though it was his outstretched boot which stopped Viorel Moldovan's shot from hitting the back of an empty net.

The most capped player in football history, Matthaus reportedly offered to quit the squad in the aftermath, but his offer was rejected. And Ribbeck clearly hopes his man will recover physically and mentally.

``I am working on the basis that he will be in better shape,'' said the coach. ``I hope that the other players will see for themselves in training that he is on top form.''

Bierhoff will be out of action for the rest of the group phase, handing over attacking responsibilities to Ulf Kirsten and Carsten Jancker.

The pair will be supported by Mehmet Scholl, Germany's goalscorer and best player against Romania, while keeper Oliver Kahn takes over the captaincy.

German players traditionally have grit and determination in industrial quantities. They have also that enviable record against England.

However, not all the omens are good for Ribbeck. There are deep divisions in his side, its recent form has been mixed and even the statistics are misleading. Germany hasn't actually beaten England in open play in a competitive match since 1972 - the others having all finished in draws or the roulette of penalty shootouts.

And in Shearer, Beckham, Owen and Paul Scholes, England has men of world-class quality, all capable of turning a match. Keegan said: ``I don't believe in fate and I don't believe in history. But I do believe in my players.''

- AFP

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Teams with mutual respect meet each other
Next     : Jan Koller - a major force in Czech team