Germany masters of their own destiny
Joachim Low stepped from the plane and the thunder clapped and the heavens opened, this time with added hail.
Like the central character in a bloodcurdling Gothic horror, the Germany boss seems to be travelling around Russia with his own storm cloud.
The world champions left Sochi in a downpour having beaten Sweden in the final seconds and arrived in Kazan for South Korea to find the stadium pitch too sodden for training.
as his players climbed back on the bus and ventured through the flash floods on streets of the Tatar capital in search of an alternative venue, the manager spoke of the need to keep emotions under control.
‘after Sweden, it was pure elation,’ said Low. ‘To achieve the goal in the dying moments when a single point would have left us in a precarious position. Everyone knew the situation was not good after losing against mexico.
‘Zero points and the pressure was huge. So there was euphoria and the mood was great, but we had to make sure it was not hysterical. we kept a level head because we had to work.
‘it is true, this victory presents us with a small step to the last 16, but the next match has to be won. in a tournament it is always the same. Victory and euphoria cannot extend too far.’
Low (right) summoned an example from Brazil, four years ago, when his team lifted the trophy. ‘we won 4-0 against Portugal and there was a burst of euphoria,’ he said. ‘Then we drew 2-2 with Ghana.’
here, they cannot afford another slip in the super-tight Group F where even South Korea have a slim hope of progress despite losing two games.
‘a one per cent chance but there is hope,’ said Tottenham striker Son heung-min, who broke down in tears following defeat against mexico in Rostov-on-Don. The Koreans were in sombre mood after the match only to arrive at the airport to learn the 94thminute winner by Toni Kroos for Germany against Sweden had produced a lifeline.
‘Just to be at the world cup is a great honour, a very special stage for a footballer,’ said Son. ‘i was representing the Korean people and didn’t want to lose. Even though we played well, the result was not as we liked. i felt sorry for the Korean people and also for the staff, and that’s why i cried.’
with captain Ki Sung-yeung out with a calf injury, Son could lead the team. ‘morale is not that bad,’ said the Spurs star. ‘The world cup isn’t over yet and we will not give in.
‘Germany are the world’s toughest team, the world champions, ranked No 1, but you never know. a lot of people did not imagine mexico could beat them. we will do our utmost.’ Low promised to go in search of a convincing victory which would secure a place in the last 16, regardless of the outcome of the match between mexico and Sweden. ‘we know we need to win,’ said the Germany boss. ‘we will be constantly informed about the score in the other match so we can react. on the other hand, we have to establish clarity with our own score. we need to win and score over two goals more than our opponents and that would be a clear path to the last 16. we will try to be the masters of our own destiny.’
Germany have not fallen at the first hurdle of a world cup for 80 years and the Kroos goal may prove a turning point for this campaign, but concerns remain. They have not kept a clean sheet since November and have proved vulnerable to the quick counterattack. Son has the speed to cause them more problems.
‘They have quick players and it will be our task to contain that,’ said Low, who will be forced into changes.
Jerome Boateng is banned after a red card and midfielder Sebastian Rudy ruled out after breaking his nose in several places. mats hummels is fit to return after a sore neck, and there could be recalls for mesut ozil and Sami Khedira, both axed for Sweden. cue more thunder and lightning.