Mikey Stafford reports for TheScore.ie from Fortaleza
GERMANY MANAGER JOACHIM Löw this afternoon hailed the impact Latin American countries are having on the World Cup, after he watched Costa Rica qualify from Group D and eliminate England with their 1-0 win over Italy, while also suggesting the tournament’s conditions give them an advantage.
The Germany coach is preparing his side for tomorrow’s encounter with Ghana in Group G, which is one of only two pools to feature no team from Latin America. After their impressive 4-0 win over Portugal, victory over their African opponents in Fortaleza will all but guarantee their progress ahead of their final match against the United States.
Group H, with Belgium, Algeria, Russia and South Korea, is the only other to feature no nations from Latin America.
Chile, Colombia and Costa Rica have already qualified for the second round after only two games, while Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay and Argentina look well placed to join them in the last 16 at this stage.
Six qualified for the second round in South Africa four years ago, a big improvement on four Latin American qualifiers at Germany 2006.
Löw has been impressed with the tactical approach of Costa Rica and Mexico, but suggested the climactic conditions in Brazil may be favouring the Latin American teams.
“We can say the Central and South American countries have shown their strengths and the tactics of the Central American teams have been revealed and these teams have shown they are present,” said the Germany coach.
“They know how to deal with the climate conditions, they can play in the middle of the afternoon in the heat.”
A study by Bloomberg adjudged Germany to have the worst group stage schedule in terms of conditions. All their games are being played during the afternoon in three of the hottest venues — Salvador, Fortaleza and Recife. Should they qualify first from their group they will go from one extreme to the other, with a second round game against the runners up from Group H in Porto Alegre, the most southerly, coolest venue.
Until then, Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira says they are coping with the conditions as best they can, with lots of water and plenty of sleep.
“The conditions are the same for all of us, for the Ghana squad too,” said Khedira. “So we will try to get used to that. It was not easy for the first match either — it was very hot. We are trying to sleep lots and drink lots of water.”
All 23 German players trained at a leisurely pace at Estadio Castelao this afternoon, with Max Hummels taking part as he struggles to prove his fitness after picking up a thigh problem against Portugal.
