World Cup: Germany Arrive Qatar

 Germany arrived in Qatar on Thursday, six days before their opening World Cup match against Japan. After a flight from Oman to Doha, coach Hansi Flick and his players went on to their base in the very north of the emirate.

At the entrance to the secluded Zulal Wellness Resort, numerous camera teams, photographers and reporters were waiting for the squad.

The last metres of the road through the desert were lined with flags with World Cup motifs.

A large police contingent was also on site.

After a training-free Friday, Flick wants to start the final preparations for the Japan game on Saturday.

Their other group opponents are Spain and Costa Rica.

Lukas Klostermann, who played just 34 minutes for Germany in their only World Cup warm-up game in a planned move, believes the short preparation time for the tournament is no hindrance.

The RB Leipzig right-back has played just two club games all season because of a foot problem but was named in Germany’s World Cup squad.

He started the 1-0 friendly win over Oman on Wednesday but came off after just over half an hour.

Klostermann says having just over a week for him and all the team to prepare for their World Cup opener against Japan next Wednesday is nothing new, as he recalled the Rio 2016 Olympics.

“Back then, we also had just a few days until the first match, and it still went quite successfully with the silver medal. So I’ll take that as a good omen,” he said on Thursday.

Germany lost to Brazil in the Rio final.

“I’ve been back in full team training for a while now and I’m in a condition where I can help the team. If the coach hadn’t been convinced of that, he probably wouldn’t have nominated me.”

Also, Germany coach, Flick told reporters: “That was exactly how it was planned, including the substitution of Klostermann after 30 minutes.”

He had warm words for debutant goalscorer Niclas Füllkrug, a rare bright spark on an otherwise dull night for Germany.

Flick said: “I told the team to show that they are ready for Qatar, for the World Cup. He showed it.”

Füllkrug, on his part, added: “I continue to try to stay relaxed. I continue to stay down to earth and humble. I’m happy to be here.”

The permanent sound of a fan motivating fellow supporters with a loudspeaker during the Oman game could be repeated in Qatar.

Team captain Manuel Neuer was reminded of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“I knew that from 2010, the vuvuzelas were at it all the time,” he said. “We will see what awaits us.”(dpa/NAN)

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