Klose: World Cup title over scoring record
Reuters - Saturday 03 July 2010, 17:39
CAPE TOWN - Germany striker Miroslav Klose
is one goal shy of equalling Ronaldo's World Cup record of 15
but the 32-year-old striker has his eyes set on a bigger trophy - the World Cup itself.
After scoring twice in Germany's 4-0 demolition of Argentina
on Saturday to help his team advance to the semi-finals, Klose,
who won his 100th cap in the match, brought his personal World
Cup tally to 14 goals in three tournaments, level with Germany's
Gerd Muller.
"If it was up to me I would prefer to win the World Cup than
top the World Cup scorers' list," the soft-spoken forward told
reporters, a smile barely visible on his face as his joyous team
mates shuffled by him holding empty beer cans.
"Of course it is a compliment to be up there with Gerd
Muller but I want the World Cup," said Klose, who has scored 52
goals for Germany.
He was quick to note Muller had scored his 14 goals in two
tournaments.
"This is my third World Cup, so it is not a fair
comparison," he said.
TIMING
Klose played in the 2002 World Cup final, when Germany lost
to Brazil, and made it to the last four of the 2006 World Cup
before his team bowed to eventual champions Italy.
"Today it was all about timing. I think our timing was
perfect, striking at the right time," he said.
"I am delighted we have been given the right to play two
more games (semi-final and final, or third place play-off). We
just have to wait and see what will happen."
Klose went into his third World Cup on the back of his worst
season, having scored just three goals for Bayern Munich.
But he has already scored four goals in just four games
here, as he missed Germany's final Group D match to Ghana
through suspension.
"I always knew that I could score goals," he added. "I
trained hard and was working all the time. But sometimes it is
difficult to bring this work to a game. You have to stick with
it when times are difficult."
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