FRANKFURT: German Football Federation (DFB) director Oliver Bierhoff is satisfied that the team found a new destination and opponent for their final pre World Cup test, Oman, after their original plan was ended by the tournament draw.
Four-time champions Germany wanted to play Japan in Dubai ahead of the November 20 World Cup start but both were then pitted into the same group at the tournament in Qatar.
Instead, coach Hansi Flick will now go to Oman on November 14 for a short training camp, play the country’s national team two days later, and fly to their World Cup base in Qatar on November 18.
At the World Cup, Germany’s group stage games are on November 23 against Japan, four days later against Spain and on December 1 v Costa Rica.
Oman was confirmed as the new destination only last week, and Bierhoff said ahead of Germany’s Nations League games on Friday against Hungary and Monday in England that “such talks and negotiations are not always easy”.
“In the end it was important for us to get into the Qatar climate zone as soon as possible and to play a friendly against a not too strong opponent,” he said.
“To give the coaches a chance to test when the players are coming out of their season, their weeks with mid-week fixtures.”
Teams normally have several weeks to prepare for World Cups which are traditionally held in June and July. But due to the Qatar climate the 2022 event is late in the year, with all big leagues running until November 13, just one week ahead of the opening match.
“The preparation for the tournament is very different compared to other tournaments. And we are grateful to have found a good destination in Oman,” Bierhoff said. — dpa
