Germany’s newcomers seize their chance
SOCHI: Timo Werner grabbed the headlines with a brace in Germany’s win over Cameroon on Sunday, but several players are making the most of their opportunity at the Confederations Cup.
Germany arrived in Russia with coach Joachim Loew determined to build for the future – and with several new players impressing, the plan seems to be working.
RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner fired his maiden international goals against Cameroon on Sunday to ensure a 3-1 win in Sochi and progress to the semi-finals. The world champions Germany now face Mexico in a last four showdown on Thursday.
“We simply had the desire and determination to win the game,” Werner said. “I was delighted to score my first two goals.
“Everyone has seen that we’re a good team and are capable of challenging.”
Werner, 21, had a bumpy start to his Germany career with his own fans booing him against San Marino in a World Cup qualifier. Playing for the controversial Leipzig, and a notable dive in the Bundesliga last year, have not helped his cause.
“My goal must be that Germany fans are eventually happy to see me in the national shirt,” Werner said before the tournament. “That they say ‘thankfully, we had that boy who, for example, scored the winning goal in a World Cup semi-final’.”
Werner is still a long way from guaranteeing a place in the squad for the 2018 World Cup, also in Russia, but the early indications are he could be the solution Loew has been looking for since the retirement of record scorer Miroslav Klose.
He is more skilful than Sandro Wagner and more of a true striker than Lars Stindl. Younger, too, which does not harm his chances in the longterm.
“Timo has proved he is dangerous and has a nose for goal,” Loew said. “Both goals were very nice, very deliberately finished. He did a tremendous amount of work and deserved both the goals.”
Werner needed four games to find the net for Germany, but even this minor struggle could well count in his favour.
“For us, it is also important to see in this tournament how someone reacts in difficult situations,” team manager Oliver Bierhoff said.
“Do they keep going if it is not going well?”
While Werner has impressed, he is not the only one.
Stindl took his chance by scoring against both Australia and Chile while midfielder Leon Goretzka has also settled in like a natural.
Another midfielder, Kerem Demirbay, started for the first time against Cameroon and responded with a brilliant opening goal.
Despite the main objective being retaining the World Cup a year from now though, the players are relishing being involved at a major tournament and do not want to pass up the opportunity to lift a trophy.
“We are not here to say second, third or fourth, that is enough for us,” Werner said.
“We now want to win the semi-final and afterwards the final if possible.” – DPA