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World Cup: Klose's hunger for goals gives Germany the edge

Germany's Miroslav Klose, 11, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the first half of the Ecuador-Germany match at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on Tuesday. PHOTO: AP

Group A
Germany 3, Ecuador 0

When fans talk of great German international strikers, Miroslav Klose may not be one to roll off the tongue. But that may all change if he carries on banging in the goals at his current rate.

Klose scored twice as Germany defeated Ecuador 3-0 in Berlin on Tuesday in the final Group A match as the hosts topped the pool.

The brace took Klose's goals tally to 30 in 59 internationals and his World Cup record makes even more impressive reading.

The 28-year-old Werder Bremen forward has now scored nine World Cup goals in 10 games and is fourth in the German all-time scorers list for World Cups. His coach, Jurgen Klinsmann -- a World Cup winner as a player in 1990 -- is the next target with 11.

As a virtual unknown, Klose scored five times at the 2002 World Cup, including three headers in a 8-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia, and the tournament does seem to bring the best out of him.

"Some players thrive at World Cups and Miro seems to be one of them," Klinsmann said.

Two German supporters celebrate in downtown Berlin on Tuesday after Germany defeated Ecuador 3-0. Hundreds of thousands of German fans took to the streets of the German capital. PHOTO: AFP

"He is in great shape and has a real hunger for goals. We hope he continues in this fashion for the rest of the tournament. Goals are the best medicine for strikers so he is in good health," he said.

Asked whether Klose could be ranked alongside the great German strikers such as Klinsmann himself, the manager replied: "I do not want to say whether he is one of Germany's great strikers. Everyone has their own opinion. The media can make their mind up after the finals."

Aside from his goals tally, Klinsmann also praised Klose's role in assisting his junior strike partner Lukas Podolski, who was also on target against Ecuador.

"Klose is great partner for Lukas as he guides him," Klinsmann said. "They are starting to develop a special understanding. It will take some time but they are getting there."

Klose, who was born in the Polish city of Opole but moved to Germany as a child, topped the Bundesliga scoring charts last season with Bremen and has carried that form on to become top scorer at the finals with four.

Although not the most elegant player, Klose possesses a genuine turn of pace and great aerial ability.

The headlines have been hailing him as the team's saviour but the former Kaiserslautern man said that personal glory was not important.

"The team is the main thing, not me scoring goals. Of course it is nice for me to score but success for the team means more," he said.

After three wins from three matches, hosts Germany are on the up and Klose -- who failed to score in Germany's disastrous campaign at Euro 2004 -- believes his country can lift the trophy in Berlin on July 9.

"We absolutely want to be world champions and I think you saw our intentions today," he enthused. "We were convincing right from the off."

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