Football World Cup 2002: RUDI: THANK YOU ENGLAND

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jun 23, 2002 | by PAUL SMITH

RUDI VOLLER has admitted that Germany's humiliating home defeat by England in their World Cup qualifying campaign may have been a blessing in disguise.

While England have packed their bags and returned home, Germany have confounded their critics by reaching the World Cup semi-finals and setting up a clash with joint host nation South Korea.

Miraculously Voller avoided the sack after England had destroyed the Germans 5-1 in Munich to virtually secure the automatic World Cup qualification place.Germany then had to battle through the lottery of a play-off draw against the Ukraine to reach the finals.

But it is the Germans who are heading towards more World Cup success while England are left to lick their wounds following their quarter-final defeat by Brazil.

As luck would have it, Germany's short-comings during qualification have been followed by incredible luck in the World Cup draw, while England found the route to success blocked by much more formidable rivals.

"When you look at it the defeat by England was probably a turning point for us. It was a humiliating defeat and we had no choice but to prove to people it was a one-off match and that German football isn't so bad.

"If you were to ask me if I would go through that again, I would probably say no because it was the worst experience of my life. But sometimes luck is also a great ally.

"While England found themselves in an extremely hard group we were extremely fortunate to have a favourable draw."

Few people know that it was England coach Sven Goran Eriksson who took Voller into Italian football when he signed him for Roma.

And despite the rivalry he admits he is sad to see England go home, if not thankful they didn't have to play them.

Voller said: "I remember being at the World Cup draw and praying that we didn't get England. That would have come far too soon after what happened in Munich. Fortunately we avoided them and now we find ourselves one game away from the World Cup final.

"The turn-around has been incredible but at the same time I have to thank the players for bouncing back and being so committed.

"Of course it's a shame to see England go home because you think about evening up the score, I thought about a Germany v England final.

"But they have a very talented young team and they will bounce back."

Germany's midfielder Dietmar Hamann is doubtful for the World Cup semi-final against South Korea on Tuesday because of a knee injury.

Voller said that Liverpool star Hamann, who missed training on Saturday, damaged ligaments in his right knee during Friday's 1-0 quarter-final victory over the United States.

The 28-year-old is vital to Voller's plans and his contribution in a defensive role at the centre of midfield would be sorely missed.

Hamann, who has played in all five of Germany's matches in the tournament, would probably be replaced by Jens Jeremies if he was ruled out.

Meanwhile, the German playmaker Michael Ballack has hit back at the criticism that followed the team's unimpressive win over the US.

"The only thing that counts in football is the result and so far, the results have gone our way," Ballack, who headed the winner shortly before half-time, said yesterday. "You can't say that we were lucky to win any of our matches."

World Cup-winning captain and coach Franz Beckenbauer described Germany's performance as "very inadequate" and said in a television interview that all the players except goalkeeper Oliver Kahn had been awful.WORLD CUP SUPER STATS

GERMANY SOUTH KOREA

13 Goals 6

2.60 Ave Gls Per Game 1.20

25 Shots On Target 31

43 Shots Off Target 27

37% % Shots On Target 53%

19% % Shots Scored 10%

1501 Successful Passes 1770

450 Unsuccessful Passes 570

77% Passing % 76%

28 Corners 37

115 Successful Tackles 142

34 Unsuccessful Tackles 44

77% Tackle % 76%

14 Saves 15

1 Goals Conceded 2

0.20 Ave Gls Conc Per Game 0.40

93% % Shots Saved 88%

94 Fouls Conceded 108

97 Fouls Won 99

13 Offsides 9

13 Yellow Cards 12

1 Red Cards 0