By IRNA,
Berlin : Germany’s living football icon Franz Beckenbauer is expecting “a great football battle” against arch-foes England ahead of Sunday’s final 16 clash in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Writing for the daily Bild on Thursday, Beckenbauer said, “England-Germany. These were always the greatest and unforgettable games in our history. It will surely be another great football battle.”
England escaped an early first round exit by defeating Slovenia on Wednesday and Beckenbauer remained upbeat that triple World Cup winners Germany could beat the Three Lions again on Sunday.
“We have more power than England,” said Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup as a player in 1974 and coach in 1990.
“We must show respect, but don’t have to be afraid. The English seem tired,” he said, pointing to the much tighter domestic football schedule in England compared to Germany.
“Our players appear to be in better physical shape,” Beckenbauer added.
He stressed however that England were dangerous because coach Fabio Capello had instilled discipline on them and that the tournament provided a final chance for players like John Terry and Frank Lampard to win a big trophy.
And English star striker Wayne Rooney, he made clear, had yet to show his class.
Beckenbauer fuelled the legendary German-English football rivalry last week when he dismissed Capello’s squad as a kick-and-rush side after their disappointing 1-1 opener against the United States.
Germany has been an ongoing nightmare for the English in international football tournaments, having beaten them on penalties in the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup and Euro 1996, and 3-2 in extra time at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.