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Germans talk big, but Iran confident
Posted: Wednesday June 24, 1998 06:23 PM
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Olivier Bierhoff and Germany hopes not to stumble against Iran (AP) |
NICE, France (AP) --
Shaken by their poor performance against Yugoslavia,
German players held an emergency meeting and have come out talking big
before the crucial match against Iran on
Thursday.
But the Iranians are not exactly showing signs of fear.
The match in Montpellier is Iran's chance to make history and produce
one of the most stunning upsets in World Cup history.
If it beats Germany, the
European Champion and three time World Cup winner, Iran will make the
second round for the first time. By beating the United
States 2-1 on Sunday, Iran scored its first World Cup victory.
The last time Germany failed to clear the first round was 60 years ago
-- when the World Cup was also held in France. Then, Germany lost 4-2 to
Switzerland.
"We have no fear of losing," said Iran's coach Jalal Talabi. "If we
lose that's no surprise. But if we win that will be a surprise and we hope
to create that surprise."
"Because we have nothing to lose, we'll go into the match to win,"
Talabi said.
Iran is in its second World Cup, while Germany has been to the final
six times.
Germany has four points after beating the United States 2-0 and
drawing 2-2 with Yugoslavia, and leads Group F on goal difference.
Yugoslavia, a 1-0 winner over Iran, also has four points and plays the
United States, which is without a point, at the same time on Thursday in
Nantes.
The Germans look vulnerable and there is tension in and around the
team.
They only salvaged a draw against Yugoslavia by scoring twice in the
last 16 minutes after being thoroughly outplayed for the first two-thirds
of the match.
This has led coach Berti Vogts to reshuffle his team. Lothar
Matthaeus, the 37-year-old who made a World Cup record of 22 matches when
he came on as a substitute against Yugoslavia, will start against Iran.
Matthaeus is likely to play libero, with Olaf Thon moving into
midfield. Thomas Helmer, recovered from a thigh injury, is likely to take
the defensive midfield place of Dietmar Hamman. Other changes are possible,
including Thomas Haessler in midfield instead of Andy Moller.
German reserve striker Ulf Kirsten was doubtful for the game because
of a cut in his right foot.
As always, Vogts is not revealing his lineup. But in times of trouble
he seems to be turning to his veterans and his team against Iran could
average more than 31 years of age.
Vogts said that some of his players were simply awed by Yugoslavia's
superior skill.
"We were like a rabbit before a snake," Thon said of the game.
"It was necessary to have a team meeting, without the coach. We talked
mostly about our performance against Yugoslavia," he said.
"We must improve and we believe we will. Iran has nothing to lose, but
we have a better team, we go into the match with confidence," Thon
said.
"We want to win and we will. But you must not underestimate anyone. A
draw will suffice but it doesn't make things any easier," Thon said.
If Germany comes second in the group, it is likely to face the Netherlands
in the second round, something that the Germans are keen to avoid.
Apart from suspect form, other things have shaken up the team. After
German hooligans rampaged in Lens and left a policeman in a coma, German
delegation officials briefly considered withdrawing the team from the World
Cup. This stunned Vogts and his players.
Erich Reutemoeller, assistant coach who has "spied" on Iran, said Iran
could counter dangerously.
"They have very fast players," Reutemoeller said. "Fear would be a false
word, but we have to have absolute respect."
Iran's trumps are the three players who play in the German league --
strikers Ali Daei and Khodadad Azizi and midfielder Karim Bagheri.
"We know how to handle the Germans. We'll win this match," Daei
said.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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