Germany need one more point: Loew

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IANS Fortaleza (Brazil)
Last Updated : Jun 22 2014 | 3:30 PM IST

Failing to collect full points from their second round Group G match, Germany's coach Joachim Loew believes the situation for his side has not changed decisively and one more point from the next match will be enough for them to reach the knock-out stage.

"The situation for us has not changed decisively even though we did not win," said Loew after his side were held here Saturday to a 2-2 draw by Ghana, reports Xinhua.

"We can not afford to lose the last match but I still believe for the last match we have a good position. If we win or whatever happens, one further point will take us to the next round."

Germany have collected four points in two matches including a commanding 4-0 win against Portugal.

The US, coached by German Jurgen Klinsmann, were currently second in the group with three points following a 2-1 opening win against Ghana and will take on the bottom-placed Portugal Sunday.

In the final round, scheduled next Thursday, Germany will face the US while Ghana will encounter Portugal.

Thanks to a quick equaliser from substitute Miroslav Klose, Germany grabbed a hard-laboured 2-2 draw against Ghana. Loew thinks the positive side of the draw is his team showed they are strong in their fighting spirit when they were one goal down.

"We led by one goal then Ghana really threw everything against our goal. They attacked and they had three players who are extremely strong and fast in the front," he said.

In the final seconds of the match, German striker Thomas Muller, trying to catch a freekick cross, injured his eyebrow with blood on his face. But Loew does not think the injury is very serious.

"I did not think it is that serious. He is bleeding but I do not think he needs to be sutured," the coach said.

However, the Bayern Munich full-back Jerome Boateng who injured his hip and had to be replaced after the first half could be doubtful for Germany's final group match.

"He got a hit on his hip. The muscle was out-stretched during a sprint. He would not be able to play any longer so we substituted him," Loew said. "I just hope that he has not pulled the muscle and he will be able to train in the next two days."

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First Published: Jun 22 2014 | 3:28 PM IST

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