German defence worries the Kaiser

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

MUNICH (AFP) — German football legend Franz Beckenbauer expressed his concern that the German defence could be the hosts' Achilles heel in their pursuit of a third World Cup title after they opened with a 4-2 victory over plucky Costa Rica.

The 60-year-old added, however, that he had not been concerned at any stage the Germans might slip to an embarrassing defeat.

"It really pleased me as opening matches go," said 'The Kaiser', who won the World Cup both as a player (1974) and as a coach (1990) - both with the then West Germany - and was the inspiration behind Germany winning the right to host this edition.

"It was not perhaps the most attractive match, but the German players showed in the first few minutes who was boss."

However, Beckenbauer, who...