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Germany expect turnaround in WC 'final' with Sweden today

June 23, 2018 00:00:00


SOCHI, Russia, June 22 (Agencies): World Cup holders Germany face enormous pressure ahead of their second group match against Sweden, dubbed an "early final", with Joachim Loew's team knowing defeat on Saturday would effectively end their campaign.

The pre-tournament talk in Germany focused on the bid to become the first team for 56 years to retain the World Cup.

But after a shock 1-0 defeat to Mexico, the four-time winners must beat the Swedes in Sochi to be sure of staying in the tournament.

Suddenly, the sweet taste of victory in Rio de Janeiro four years ago seems a long time ago.

"Everyone is aware that this is our first 'final', it's annoying that it comes so early, but it's self-inflicted," team director Oliver Bierhoff said.

An atrocious first-half display against Mexico stunned fans in football-mad Germany, who have grown used to regular success.

The World Cup winners, accustomed to easy questions from their press and the backing of adoring fans, have been stung by a swarm of criticism.

Former international players have toured TV studios, calling for under-performing players like Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira to be dropped.

Behind the high walls of the team hotel outside Moscow, "frank words" were exchanged between the player.

"There has never been such strong communication within the team before," captain Manuel Neuer said.

Meanwhile, Belgium take on Tunisia on Saturday with their eyes set on the knockout round of the World Cup but fearful that star forward Eden Hazard is set for another bruising encounter.

The Belgians want to win at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow to avoid making their final group game against England on June 28 a make-or-break qualification affair.

The Red Devils opened their account in Russia with a 3-0 win over Panama on Monday, when Romelu Lukaku netted twice, but Hazard was tightly marked and occasionally clattered by the Central American opponents.

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez hopes the Chelsea player will not get the same treatment from Tunisia.

Belgium, ranked third in the world, reached the quarter-finals of Brazil 2014 and are aiming to match their previous best of reaching the semi-finals at Mexico 1986.

There was some good news for Martinez on Thursday when Barcelona centre-back Thomas Vermaelen trained for the first time in Russia.

However, Tunisia will not make life easy for Belgium as they seek to provide a bright spot in a poor World Cup for African sides, with Egypt and Morocco already out.

After their defeat to England with Harry Kane's 91st minute header, their coach Nabil Maaloul wants a focused display in their bid to shock Belgium.

In another game, Mexico's biggest worry at the World Cup may be its fans instead of its next opponent, struggling South Korea.

As traveling Mexican fans prepare to descend on this southern Russian city, players and the federation are imploring them not to repeat it at Saturday's match, in messages on television and social media. The Group F game will be attended by South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

The Mexicans have reached the last 16 in their six previous World Cups, and are on course to make it seven after beating Germany 1-0. Javier Hernandez tore past defenders and found Hirving Lozano for a stylish goal in the 35th minute.

Coach Juan Carlos Osorio is a fan of reshuffling his lineup - a tactic inspired by former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson - but is likely to stick to many of his opening game starters, relying on his back four to stop the pacey Koreans.

Celebrations in Mexico City of the goal against Germany were so rowdy that seismologists checked reports of an artificial earthquake. It was eventually ruled out.

But Mexico midfielder Marco Fabian was one of several players who warned against complacency.

The Koreans, stung by their 1-0 defeat by Sweden, could reconsider their attacking 4-3-3 formation that provided little threat and handed space to their opponents.

Midfielder Koo Ja-cheol, who plays at Bundesliga club Augsburg, said players were studying Mexico on their tablets and had identified Hernandez as the major threat.


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