By DPA,
Barsinghausen (Germany) : Rene Adler retains his place in goal for Germany’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in Hanover Wednesday, coach Joachim Loew said Tuesday.
The Bayer Leverkusen keeper got the nod over Schalke’s Manuel Neuer after Robert Enke pulled out Monday with an infection.
The Hanover keeper, who is seen as first choice, has left the squad ahead of the Group 4 match. Adler did much to stake his claim for a place in the side with a fine performance in Saturday’s 2-0 win over South Africa in a friendly.
“Rene had a very good game against South Africa,” Loew said.
VfB Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez is meanwhile expected to be fit after a knee scare, while Werder Bremen’s Mesut Ozil, who impressed on Saturday, is a certain starter.
“All the players are in good shape,” Loew said.
Germany aim to set the stage for their crucial World Cup qualifying showdown in Russia with a victory against Azerbaijan, coached by Germany’s Berti Vogts.
Germany top the group with 19 points from Russia, who have 18 going into their game in Wales on Wednesday. The two sides meet next month in Moscow in what should decide first place and direct entry to the 2010 finals in South Africa.