Steffen keen on second win for Germany

Steffen Freund hopes Germany can take another step towards the knockout stages of the World Cup with victory against Ghana this evening.

The Group G leaders got off to a flying start at the showpiece tournament in Brazil thanks to a 4-0 win against Portugal on Monday.

Victory against Ghana would see Joachim Low’s side strengthen their grip on top spot in the group, with their final first round match against a USA side bossed by Steffen’s fellow former German international and Spurs legend Jurgen Klinsmann still to come on Thursday.

And with that in mind, Steffen is hopeful of another German triumph tonight, kick-off 8pm.

“No game is easy at the World Cup,” declared our former midfielder and current coach, who was in the Germany squad for the 1998 World Cup in France.

“I think most teams have a lot of respect for Germany and we all hope – especially Joachim Low and his coaching staff – that we are already qualified before the last group game because the pressure will be massive against the USA.”

The States’ 2-1 win against Ghana means they’re perched just behind Germany at the top of the Group G standings ahead of today’s action.

And Steffen admitted he’s pleased to see his home country in such a strong position after casting his eye over the standings in some of the other groups.

“If you see the group with Spain, Holland, Chile and Australia in it – or the one with England, Uruguay, Italy and Costa Rica – you can see what difficult groups they are,” he said.

“I’m sure that it will be really difficult for Germany too, but we have a good chance to go to the next round.”