From Colombia to Costa Rica

Geographically, from Colombia to Costa Rica isn’t very far, with just Panama in-between. But for the German national football team it will be a week of hard work, high hopes and great expectations before the tournament finally begins.

The team had to find its form

Over the last year since the 2005 FIFA Confederation Cup Germany has played a number of international friendlies, but most of them were just matches which had to be played. Some, like the defeat against Italy in March 2006, were really abysmal and people had doubts regarding the German’s team strength and their chances at the World Cup. Thereafter, the wins against the USA and Luxembourg were encouraging, while the Germans were purely lucky to earn a draw against Japan. Then again, the final preparatory match against Colombia at the Borussiapark in Moenchengladbach was nothing short of impressive.

Youth and talent

That this German team has talent and youth on its side is unquestionable. All they need is to put it all together with the passion and the tactical skills. That is exactly what the team did against Colombia. And once more German fans could start dreaming about winning a fourth World Cup title.

The German team played their 4-4-2 formation to near perfection. The key was Captain Michael Ballack who played from a more withdrawn midfield position. He stabilised the team but was as dangerous as ever in the attack with his long-rangers and headers. One such header from a Bastian Schweinsteiger free kick resulted in the lead. Schweinsteiger was the man of the match: evidently, the Bayern Munich youngster is getting back into his Confederation Cup form after a difficult season at his club. Schweinsteiger was a permanent threat to the Colombians on the left, dribbling his way past and making excellent crosses. And then Schweinsteiger scored the second goal for the team with a perfectly taken direct free kick which beat the Colombian keeper. Schweinsteiger ran to the sidelines to thank Bayern Munich team mate Oliver Kahn for the hours of free kick practice the two had had together. This was also proof that the team spirit, another forte of the Germans, is very much in place. Many had feared that Kahn on the bench instead of between-the-posts would spell trouble, but the old warrior has put self-interest on hold and become a team player, helping the younger players whenever and wherever he can.

The others, too, demonstrated their form. The strikers, whether it was Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski or Oliver Neuville, all scored goals. The defence stood firm and the rest of it will also be safe in Jens Lehmann’s gloves if he could only desist from his forays outside the box. After all, he should be having enough unpleasant memories of the Champions League final between Arsenal London and Barcelona!

Even the substitutes were making their presence felt. Werder Bremen midfielder Tim Borowski rounded off the tally by scoring Germany’s third goal against Colombia shortly after coming on.

Germany can win the World Cup

I had written in one of my earlier pieces that I support Germany with all my heart and that Germany can win the World Cup. And when I see the team’s preparations and how the form has gone up since May 15 - when the team got together for the final series of camps - then I do feel that Germany have a chance.

There are a number of factors ‘playing’ in favour of Germany.

Germany has the home advantage. The World Cup hosts have always played well in front of a home crowd. And the support that Germany will be getting during the tournament will be the equivalent of a twelfth or a thirteenth man on the field.

Then there’s football history. No other team in the world can ‘focus’ like Germany. Just look at the last 2002 World Cup in Japan-South Korea where a middling to decent German side reached the finals and were within an inch of winning the title. This year’s squad is surely stronger than the one four years ago.

Germany has a good group to find their form before moving on to the knockout stage. The opening Group A match against Costa Rica is the right match to get into the tournament and Poland as well as Ecuador are opponents Germany should be able to take care of. In the pre-quarterfinals Germany could face tough competition from England or Sweden, and teams like Argentina, the Netherlands or Portugal could be waiting for them in the quarterfinals. But if you want to win the World Cup, you must be in a position to beat ’em all. This German team has the capability, if they remain suitably focused for the entire duration of the tournament.

A dream final on July 9 could be Germany versus Brazil, with Germany winning this time around.