Klose: Argentina unlucky to draw the hosts
BERLIN, June 28 (Reuters) - Argentina have been unlucky to draw
hosts Germany in the World Cup quarter-finals, striker Miroslav
Klose said on Wednesday.
Klose, displaying the confidence of a player who has already scored
four goals at these finals, recognised Argentina as a top team but
said Germany would triumph on Friday in Berlin.
'We're not nervous about this game,' Klose told a news conference.
'Argentina were the favourites to win the World Cup but now they've
had the bad luck to be drawn against us.'
Argentina were made favourites after beating Ivory Coast 2-1 in a
high-quality match and then lifting their game to an even higher
level in a memorable 6-0 win over Serbia & Montenegro.
They drew 0-0 with Netherlands to clinch top spot in Group C before
beating Mexico 2-1 in extra time in the second round.
Germany have also scored 10 goals and conceded two but their
passage has been even smoother, with four straight victories over
Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador and Sweden.
'We know we have a good opportunity to beat them,' Klose said.
'They're a good team but if we press them for the full 90 minutes
they will make mistakes. It's then up to us to exploit them.'
Klose scored five at the last World Cup but his all-round play has
been even better this time.
He scored twice against Costa Rica, got two more against Ecuador
and set up both goals for strike partner Lukas Podolski in the
commanding 2-0 win over Sweden in the second round.
'I'm on top of my game and I want to prove it,' the 28-year-old
said. 'I have certain goals at this tournament and I'm glad I'm
reaching them. I'm very ambitious.
'Argentina are a top team at this tournament but it's just unlucky
for them that they have to play us.'
West Germany and Argentina met in the 1986 and 1990 World Cup
finals. Argentina lifted the trophy when they won the first
showdown 3-2 in Mexico, with the Germans gaining revenge with a 1-0
win in the showpiece match in Italy four years later
So confident?
