Khaleej Times

Loew relishes Mexico test at Confederat­ions Cup

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sochi — Germany’s Joachim Loew said he is looking forward to facing Mexico on Thursday in the Confederat­ions Cup semifinals after the world champions pipped Chile to top spot in Group B.

The Germans play Mexico in Sochi for a place in next Sunday’s final in Saint Petersburg while Chile meet Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the other last-four clash on Wednesday in Kazan.

“Mexico is going to be a tough game, they are a very flexible team with very good players,” said Loew, who became the first head coach to achieve 100 internatio­nal wins.

“We don’t often play central American sides, so that will be interestin­g for us, but we need to be on our guard.”

Germany’s Timo Werner, 21, netted twice in Sunday’s win over 10-man Cameroon which saw them finish two points clear of Chile, who rallied for a 1-1 draw with Australia in Moscow.

After Kerem Demirbay opened the scoring in Sochi, Werner struck either side of Vincent Aboubakar’s consolatio­n effort on 78 minutes.

Cameroon had Ernest Mabouka sent off in controvers­ial fashion on 64 minutes for a dangerous tackle on Liverpool’s Emre Can.

Referee Wilmar Roldan initially dismissed Sebastien Siani before the video assistant referee rectified his error.

Loew, in his 150th match in charge of Germany, maintained his impressive record of reaching the semifinals of every tournament over the last decade.

Meanwhile, Werner is eyeing Confederat­ions Cup glory with Germany and hopes his two goals against Cameroon are enough to see him start Thursday’s semifinal with Mexico.

“Mexico will be tough to play, but we have also been good so far and I think we have a chance to go beyond the semifinals,” said RB Leipzig’s Werner.

“We’re in the semis, so the next aim is to reach the final.

“To say we want to win the final would be over ambitious, but it wouldn’t be enough just to play in the third-place match.”

The fleet-footed striker has a sharp eye for goal and justified Loew’s faith with a man-of-thematch performanc­e, which could be rewarded with another start against Mexico.

“Timo Werner really put in a lot of leg work,” said Germany’s head coach.

“At the start, our attacks somehow didn’t come to much, on so he wasn’t able to really shoot on target.

“It was a different story after the break, he was much more present in the box, that’s where he’s dangerous, he has a killer instinct.

“Both goals were nicely taken and he really earned them.”

Werner is one of only three players have now so far scored twice at this Confed Cup.

He is in the company of global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and teammate Lars Stindl, whose place Werner took in Germany’s starting line-up against Cameroon.

The inexperien­ced Germans made a nervous, hesitant start in Sochi and after a frustratin­g first-half of missed half chances and scuffed shots, Werner’s game clicked.

“I needed some time before scoring, I was a bit annoyed because leading up to (the goals), I had a couple of situation which weren’t ideal,” said Werner.

“I got a couple of good passes, so I have to thank those guys who provided those.

“The man-of-the-match award is a great distinctio­n for me, I am happy we won in Sochi and can have an extra day to prepare for the semifinal.

“Of course, the fact we can stay here helps, it’s nice to be by the sea.”

Werner only made his debut in March and is soaking up the experience of playing in Russia a year before the World Cup.

“The Confed Cup is a huge experience for all us young players,” he said.

 ?? — AFP ?? Germany forward timo Werner (right) challenges Cameroon’s defender ernest mabouka.
— AFP Germany forward timo Werner (right) challenges Cameroon’s defender ernest mabouka.
 ??  ?? hugo Broos
hugo Broos

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