Germany coach Joachim Loew says his ambition is to win the World Cup, only he isn’t promising his team will take the title in South Africa next year.
”Of course it as my aim as trainer of the Germany national team to win the World Cup title,” Loew was quoted Tuesday as telling the mass-circulation daily Bild. ”But to achieve that, everything has to go optimally.
”The foundation for winning the World Cup title is good,” Loew said, pointing to the rapid emergence of players such as Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Ozil, who has broken into the national team this year.
”But whether it’s really enough for the title in South Africa, I can’t yet say today,” he added. ”Several short-term or current factors will help tip the scales there.”
Germany, a three-time World Cup-winner, secured its ticket to South Africa on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Russia, its closest rival in qualifying Group 4, in Moscow.
Loew has said he wants to use Wednesday’s final qualifying match against Finland, along with friendlies next month against Chile and Egypt, as a way to give younger players a chance to prove themselves.
Loew told Bild he expects next year’s World Cup to be ”the most interesting of all times — hopefully with Argentina and France too.”
Neither of the two former champions is certain to qualify.
”The Africans are good; they are playing on their continent for the first time,” he added. ”I think an African team has the ability to reach the World Cup semifinal.” — Sapa-AP