Voeller says World Cup opener crucial for Germany (12.01.2002)
BERLIN,
Germany coach Rudi Voeller believes the former champions` most important match at the World Cup will be their opening game against Saudi Arabia.
``The players have to be on fire for that first match,`` Voeller said in an interview with SAT-1 television.
``The foundation for our last World Cup win in 1990 was the opening win over Yugoslavia,`` said Voeller, 41, a striker in that 1990 German side.
The three times champions also face Ireland and Cameroon in the opening group in South Korea and Japan.
``If a team from Africa is the surprise success of the tournament it will probably be Cameroon,`` Voeller said. ``The quality of the individual players is spot on. But we also have to be in top form against Ireland.
``My team
isgoing to know everything it can about these opponents. The Irish play an aggressive game and don`t leave their opponents any space.``
Voeller said the German players that beat Ukraine in the November playoff, led by keeper Oliver Kahn and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack, would form the nucleus of his team.
``The players who were on the pitch against Ukraine are in the driver`s seat.``
Voeller said one exception was Hertha Berlin midfielder Sebastian Deisler, who missed the two matches because of injury.
``If he`s fit, he`ll have a very, very good World Cup,`` Voeller said. Ageing striker Oliver Bierhoff, who has suffered from a scoring drought in recent matches and spent a lot of time on the bench, would also play an important role, he said.
