Germany - Costa Rica - Players Quotes
GERMANY-COSTA RICA: Players' Quotes
9 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com
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Miroslav KLOSE (GER), Budweiser Man of the Match
It basically worked out the way I hoped it would. It's always difficult at the start of a tournament, so I'm just delighted that we got off to a good start.It was fantastic, I celebrated my birthday, played in the opening game and scored two goals to help the team to victory. What more can I say? This win gives us confidence for the next games, although we know we still have to improve. We've only ourselves to blame for the two goals we conceded, because we tried to knock it about too much. We have to cut that out. We didn't manage to get back behind the ball quickly enough. We weren't compact enough, we were a bit sluggish at times and we gave the ball away too much. We're always good for goals going forward. My substitution was just a precautionary measure.
Philipp LAHM (GER)
There's no way you can call that a perfect start, but we've given a decent account of ourselves. It's good that we scored four goals, but we can't go on conceding as many as we did. If I'd known I was capable of scoring like that, I'd be doing it in every game! It's vital to start with a win. The victory was partly down to the crowd, they got right behind us from the start.
Michael BALLACK (GER)
Obviously I'm not happy sitting out. I told the coach I would have preferred to play, but the coaching staff decided it was too big a risk to play me. I have to accept that. We can be very happy with the game. It had a bit of everything and every goal was a dream goal. The only slight drawback was that Costa Rica ruthlessly converted the few chances they had.
Jens LEHMANN(GER)
It was a great atmosphere in the stadium and an entertaining game for the fans. The reception here was very friendly and positive.
Tim BOROWSKI (GER)
I think I played well and, despite the goals conceded, it was a great opening game. We want to build on the euphoria, take the positives from the game and not talk about things too much.
David ODONKOR (GER)
We're delighted to have taken the three points. The fans supported us fantastically. I was very surprised to be brought on but delighted that I played.
Torsten FRINGS (GER)
That was our first competitive game in two years and there was a huge amount of pressure on us. We're all delighted to have won. We're relieved because we didn't really know where we stood, but we can be very satisfied because we've taken a great deal of confidence from this game. Poland will definitely be tougher opponents than Costa Rica.
Arne FRIEDRICH (GER)
The game was a huge event. It was great to have the German fans behind us. It's annoying that we conceded two goals, but when you play for offside, there is always the risk that you'll be just off the pace. Poland will be very tough opponents.
Lukas PODOLSKI (GER)
We're delighted. There hasn't been an opening game like that for some time. I would have liked to score but we won 4-2 and took three points, which is the most important thing. I can still do more and I'll prove that in the next game.
Christoph METZELDER (GER)
That was a good start. We showed great quality up front and did better than we have done for a long time. Costa Rica sat very deep and we just underestimated them on two occasions. I expect an attacking Poland team in the next game. Poland are a different calibre and the yardstick in our group. A lot rests on that game. Our objective from the outset was to win the group.
Jose PORRAS (CRC)
The greatest thing was the effort of the whole team. We wanted to win, but we are still happy because we played to a high standard. Obviously I would have preferred to save the goals.
Douglas SEQUEIRA (CRC)
The first goal was sensational. We had a good response, but we didn't reckon with the Germans' reaction. We have to keep our heads up and keep working. We're not happy with the result because we wanted to win. But we leave with our heads held high and now we have four days to analyse the game. We have seen that we can do it.
Randall AZOFEIFA (CRC)
We wanted to win, but today it just wasn't to be. The first goal threw us out of our rhythm, and we should have controlled possession after the equaliser. The stadium was overwhelming.
Paulo WANCHOPE (CRC)
We can leave with our heads held high. We always expect to score goals. It's always important to know who your opponents are and where their weaknesses are so that you can exploit them. Germany are very strong and we need to improve. I'm happy to have scored the first goal for Costa Rica, but the best thing is for us to forget this game and look to the future. We have a very good side and we'll stick together.
Danny FONSECA (CRC)
We had a few chances today. We played against the best team in the group today, but we’ll have to put more effort into the next games.
Ronaldo GOMEZ (CRC)
The first and fourth goals were screamers. There is nothing you can do about those, but the German defence is terrible. I'm confident they won't reach the Final. We had a good chance to win and a few scoring opportunities. Overall, we played good football. The next two games will be tough, but we have to win.
Michael UMANA (CRC)
There were many highlights, but you can't be happy with conceding four goals. The Germans were simply too strong going forward.
Luis MARIN (CRC)
I'm not too upset. The main thing is we can still progress. The team battled hard and the result flattered Germany.
9 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com
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Miroslav KLOSE (GER), Budweiser Man of the Match
It basically worked out the way I hoped it would. It's always difficult at the start of a tournament, so I'm just delighted that we got off to a good start.It was fantastic, I celebrated my birthday, played in the opening game and scored two goals to help the team to victory. What more can I say? This win gives us confidence for the next games, although we know we still have to improve. We've only ourselves to blame for the two goals we conceded, because we tried to knock it about too much. We have to cut that out. We didn't manage to get back behind the ball quickly enough. We weren't compact enough, we were a bit sluggish at times and we gave the ball away too much. We're always good for goals going forward. My substitution was just a precautionary measure.
Philipp LAHM (GER)
There's no way you can call that a perfect start, but we've given a decent account of ourselves. It's good that we scored four goals, but we can't go on conceding as many as we did. If I'd known I was capable of scoring like that, I'd be doing it in every game! It's vital to start with a win. The victory was partly down to the crowd, they got right behind us from the start.
Michael BALLACK (GER)
Obviously I'm not happy sitting out. I told the coach I would have preferred to play, but the coaching staff decided it was too big a risk to play me. I have to accept that. We can be very happy with the game. It had a bit of everything and every goal was a dream goal. The only slight drawback was that Costa Rica ruthlessly converted the few chances they had.
Jens LEHMANN(GER)
It was a great atmosphere in the stadium and an entertaining game for the fans. The reception here was very friendly and positive.
Tim BOROWSKI (GER)
I think I played well and, despite the goals conceded, it was a great opening game. We want to build on the euphoria, take the positives from the game and not talk about things too much.
David ODONKOR (GER)
We're delighted to have taken the three points. The fans supported us fantastically. I was very surprised to be brought on but delighted that I played.
Torsten FRINGS (GER)
That was our first competitive game in two years and there was a huge amount of pressure on us. We're all delighted to have won. We're relieved because we didn't really know where we stood, but we can be very satisfied because we've taken a great deal of confidence from this game. Poland will definitely be tougher opponents than Costa Rica.
Arne FRIEDRICH (GER)
The game was a huge event. It was great to have the German fans behind us. It's annoying that we conceded two goals, but when you play for offside, there is always the risk that you'll be just off the pace. Poland will be very tough opponents.
Lukas PODOLSKI (GER)
We're delighted. There hasn't been an opening game like that for some time. I would have liked to score but we won 4-2 and took three points, which is the most important thing. I can still do more and I'll prove that in the next game.
Christoph METZELDER (GER)
That was a good start. We showed great quality up front and did better than we have done for a long time. Costa Rica sat very deep and we just underestimated them on two occasions. I expect an attacking Poland team in the next game. Poland are a different calibre and the yardstick in our group. A lot rests on that game. Our objective from the outset was to win the group.
Jose PORRAS (CRC)
The greatest thing was the effort of the whole team. We wanted to win, but we are still happy because we played to a high standard. Obviously I would have preferred to save the goals.
Douglas SEQUEIRA (CRC)
The first goal was sensational. We had a good response, but we didn't reckon with the Germans' reaction. We have to keep our heads up and keep working. We're not happy with the result because we wanted to win. But we leave with our heads held high and now we have four days to analyse the game. We have seen that we can do it.
Randall AZOFEIFA (CRC)
We wanted to win, but today it just wasn't to be. The first goal threw us out of our rhythm, and we should have controlled possession after the equaliser. The stadium was overwhelming.
Paulo WANCHOPE (CRC)
We can leave with our heads held high. We always expect to score goals. It's always important to know who your opponents are and where their weaknesses are so that you can exploit them. Germany are very strong and we need to improve. I'm happy to have scored the first goal for Costa Rica, but the best thing is for us to forget this game and look to the future. We have a very good side and we'll stick together.
Danny FONSECA (CRC)
We had a few chances today. We played against the best team in the group today, but we’ll have to put more effort into the next games.
Ronaldo GOMEZ (CRC)
The first and fourth goals were screamers. There is nothing you can do about those, but the German defence is terrible. I'm confident they won't reach the Final. We had a good chance to win and a few scoring opportunities. Overall, we played good football. The next two games will be tough, but we have to win.
Michael UMANA (CRC)
There were many highlights, but you can't be happy with conceding four goals. The Germans were simply too strong going forward.
Luis MARIN (CRC)
I'm not too upset. The main thing is we can still progress. The team battled hard and the result flattered Germany.
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