Klinsmann proves point as Germany win again

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DORTMUND, June 15 (Reuters) Everything went right for Juergen Klinsmann yesterday as Germany's 1-0 victory over Poland proved the coach's Californian revolution was just what the three times world champions needed.

Klinsmann kept faith with his young defenders even after the fierce criticism they faced in the wake of Germany's 4-2 win over Costa Rica in the tournament's opening match and saw them play impeccably, limiting Poland to a couple of half chances.

The coach then had the satisfaction of seeing his aggressive substitutions pay off, with speedy winger David Odonkor coming off the bench to set up Oliver Neuville, another substitute, for the winner in the first minute of added time.

The home fans among the 65,000 crowd gave full voice to their joy and tens of millions of watching Germans will have shared their growing belief that Klinsmann might just deliver what seemed the impossible dream of a fourth World Cup triumph.

''It was great that it worked out for us but we always knew about the strength of our substitutes,'' Klinsmann told reporters after a win that leaves Germany close to a place in the last 16.

''This was a victory for the entire squad. Both Neuville and Odonkor have pace and that gives us the chance to keep the tempo high to the end of the match.''

Klinsmann, who won the World Cup as a player in 1990, had few other qualifications for the job when he was appointed by a desperate German Football Association in the wake of the country's dismal Euro 2004 showing.

What he did have was unshakable conviction that German football needed changing from the top down.

Plotting from his base on the beach in California, he brought in a raft of young players few in Germany had heard of and hired a team of American fitness instructors and a sports psychologist.

The effects of that sea change in philosophy were in evidence yesterday, as Germany grew in strength and belief as the game went on and ended up overwhelming the Poles.

''We knew that this team had talent, desire and strength,'' Klinsmann said. ''We believed in them but you need wins to get everyone behind you.'' The German public will certainly be with them now and the welcome when they run out at the Olympiastadion on June 20 for the final Group A game against Ecuador should be deafening.

REUTERS