Germany can win Cup, says Ireland coach

HAMBURG, June 22: Germany are a dangerous animal who can win the World Cup, Ireland manager Steve Staunton said after the hosts finished top of their group to qualify for a clash with Sweden in the second round at the finals.

Ireland's most-capped player and veteran of four World Cups is in Germany to analyse the host nation, who have been drawn with the Irish in their European Championship qualifying group.

''Germany are a dangerous animal and capable of winning the tournament, based on what I have seen so far,'' Staunton, who earned his 100th cap against Germany at the last finals, told Reuters in an interview.

''They have very talented individuals, but as a team they have great self-belief. On the attack they look like they could cut open any team and in defence they seem now to have sorted themselves out after leaking two goals in the first game.'' Capped a record 102 times for his country, Staunton took over from Brian Kerr as manager in January following Ireland's failure to qualify for the finals in Germany.

''Of course, Ireland would love to be here playing and, of course, the main thing missing is our wonderful fans who are magnificent,'' Staunton said.

Following appearances at the World Cup in 1990 and 1994, Staunton found himself as Ireland captain four years ago in South Korea and Japan following midfielder Roy Keane's walk-out just days before the start of the finals.

The Irish reached the second round from a group which also included Germany, but lost to Spain on penalties. Staunton sees the Spaniards, who are also through to the second round, as another team capable of going all the way.

''I like the look of them, they look like they can come up with a goal when they want,'' he said.

''They have a talented squad, but what they seem to have and what they haven't had in the past, is a steel about them.'' Staunton pointed to Argentina as ''the new favourites'' after they thrashed Serbia&Montenegro 6-0, but added that Brazil's ability to win, despite not playing to their best, means they ''cannot be written off''.

Ireland created many memorable moments at the finals, created by a fair share of good fortune, and Staunton said the eventual winners will also need the luck of the Irish along the way, no matter how good their team is.

''You need luck in everything you do, but especially here at the finals,'' he said. ''No team is afraid of losing anymore, the difference can be so tight on the day, so anything can happen. You can never predict for certain.''

REUTERS

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