Swiss striker makes difference for Germany

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DORTMUND, June 15: All the talk before Germany's game against Poland had been of the two Polish-born strikers in the German ranks but in the end it was a man born in Switzerland who struck the killer blow.

Oliver Neuville came off the bench late in yesterday's Group A game and sealed victory in the first minute of added time, sliding in to convert a cross from David Odonkor and take Germany to the brink of a place in the last 16.

Neuville, born in Gamborgno in Switzerland on May 1 1973, has been warming up for the ''supersub'' role in Juergen Klinsmann's squad for the past year.

He scored one goal in the last World Cup and was Germany's best player in the final defeat by Brazil but he missed Euro 2004 and for a long time was ignored by Klinsmann.

His scoring record is still poor -- Wednesday's goal was only his ninth in 57 appearances for Germany -- and he is unlikely to dislodge the two Polish-born strikers Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski from the starting line-up.

Klinsmann has become convinced, though, that his pace and eagerness to run at defenders are decisive assets.

He scored a fine goal in Germany's 4-1 win over the United States in March, added two more in a brief substitute appearance against Luxembourg in May and showed again on Wednesday that he can be a nightmare for tiring defenders as the clock ticks down.

''My goal was a bit lucky, although the win was well earned,'' the modest Neuville, who was born to an Italian mother and a German father, told reporters after the game.

''We kept on making chances right to the end of the game. You could see from that game that we're extremely fit.'' Germany did look fitter than the Poles and with the fervent support of a 65,000 crowd at the Westfalenstadion they were eventually rewarded for their relentless attack.

As long as Ecuador do not lose against Costa Rica on Wednesday, Germany will already be assured of a place in the next round before their next game, against Ecuador in Berlin on June 20.

Whatever the group situation, there is unlikely to be any let-up in the furious pace the hosts have shown at the start of their bid for a fourth World Cup triumph.

''It was unbelievable to see us score in the final minute,'' winger Bastian Schweinsteiger told reporters. ''I think we can play even better and we'll try and prove it in the next game.''

REUTERS