Germany v Costa Rica - Preview

Nerves as Germany lose Ballack for opener

After two years without competitive football it is crunch time for hosts Germany on Friday as they open the World Cup against Costa Rica in Munich without their talismanic captain Michael Ballack

Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann has set the target of winning the trophy for the fourth time in the country's history and feels he needs to rest Ballack for more important games.

"It seems that Michael Ballack can not play against Costa Rica," Klinsmann said at a press conference Thursday.

"We wanted Ballack on board as he is our captain and leader but it is important that he recovers.

"We want him to get back to full fitness so that he can be fit for the other games in the competition.

I do not think the opening game is as important as some of the other games that could come later on."

Germany are expected to defeat Costa Rica and a convincing result could get the 80 million home fans right behind their country.

Costa Rica are expected to be lambs to the slaughter but Germany should beware as opening World Cup games can spring surprises - just ask France.

Four years ago holders France opened the tournament against African side Senegal and lost 1-0.

Ticos demand respect

Costa Rica's Brazilian-born manager Alex Guimares has problems of his own with star striker Paolo Wanchope a major worry.

Former West Ham United and Manchester City forward Wanchope -- Costa Rica's all-time leading goalscorer -- is suffering with a knee injury and has been unable to train.

"Perhaps the German fans think it is a foregone conclusion but I think Germany will respect us," said Guimares.

"It is a cliche but the team is the star for us and this time we have players who have World Cup experience."

It is Costa Rica's third World Cup with their best performance coming in 1990 when they reached the second round.

That was also the year that Germany, then in the guise of West Germany, won their third and last World Cup to date with a 1-0 win over Argentina in Rome.

In that tournament Franz Beckenbauer's team started off with a 4-1 thrashing of Yugoslavia - a similar start against Costa Rica would be the perfect tonic.

Teams

Germany: Jens Lehmann, Arne Friedrich, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Torsten Frings, Miroslav Klose, Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Tim Borowski, Bernd Schneider (capt), Lukas Podolski, Christoph Metzelder

Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

Costa Rica: Jose Porras, Luis Marin (capt), Michael Umana, Gilberto Martinez, Danny Fonseca, Mauricio Solis, Paolo Wanchope, Walter Centeno, Ronald Gomez, Leonardo Gonzalez, Douglas Sequeira

Coach: Alexandre Guimaraes

Referee: M. Elizondo (ARG)