- Title: GERMANY: Pekerman diverts focus from Berlin referee.
- Date: 29th June 2006
- Summary: XX) HERZOGENAURACH, GERMANY (JUNE 29, 2006) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF PLAYERS ON TRAINING PITCH TIGHT SHOT OF PLAYERS LIONEL MESSI RUNNING ON PITCH HERNAN CRESPO PICKS UP BALL ARGENTINA COACH JOSE PEKERMAN ON TRAINING GROUND (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JOSE PEKERMAN SAYS : "I have told the players that they are virtually on the way to Berlin. We are looking forward to the game and we expect a top-class opponent. We have to really concentrate, whether the game lasts 90 or 120 minutes or even if it comes down to penalties. We are going to be prepared for everything: substitutions, injuries, yellow cards and red cards. We are prepared for everything that might happen tomorrow. PLAYERS PLAYING PRACTICE MATCH (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JOSE PEKERMAN SAYS : "The quality of the German team is impressive. Lots has happened in the past two years under Klinsmann. They play a very attractive kind of football which is offensive and with lots of short passes. Just like us, we always want to have the ball and want to act not react. We respect the German eleven but beleive in our strengths to be able to control the game. We'll see what happens tomorrow. The truth will lie on the pitch tomorrow at Berlin's Olympic stadium." PLAYERS RUNNING
- Embargoed: 14th July 2006 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Germany
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA3DOY31UWYCOZ1Z4DG4MYY8QNK
- Story Text: Argentina coach Jose Pekerman diverted attention on Thursday (June 29) from the refereeing of the World Cup quarter-final against hosts Germany.
Pekerman said the match on Friday (June 30) would be settled by the football displayed by two evenly balanced teams that can both be regarded as favourites.
"We give no importance to the refereeing," Pekerman said when asked what he thought of the appointment of Slovakian match official Lubos Michel.
"I want to emphasise that we are very happy here in Germany, enjoying the World Cup ... and that puts us in a position of respect (towards our hosts) and this (match) will be resolved on the pitch, playing football," he told a news conference.
"Germany have done very good things in the Klinsmann period, a renewal with many new players, an attacking style that is producing great matches for them.
"This has to be said, and the same for Argentina, who always go out to play. The truth will be revealed on the pitch."
Pekerman, speaking on the 20th anniversary of Argentina's second and last world title in Mexico, said his team would try to honour the memory of the side captained by Diego Maradona.
"More than ever, we will honour that title," Pekerman said. "Because we know just how difficult it is to get to the title.
"We also honour the title of 1978," he added, referring to Argentina's first World Cup victory on home soil.
"And we salute all the good teams Argentina have had, with and without titles.
"This team has signs of those teams," Pekerman said referring to his own players. "They way they play, the positions some of the players occupy.
"They are trying to keep the history going. In each one of these lads there is a bit of that history." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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