Germany coach Christian Richard Wuch eyes qualification from the group stage of the FIFA U-17 World Cup as their primary target as the Germans gear up to face Costa Rica on Saturday in their tournament opener. The match will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa.
Ahead of their opening fixture, Wuch addressed the media and said, "It is a historical moment not only for India but for us as well. We want to make it through from the group stage and that's our expectation (for now). This is good for the team. We have many players who played the youth league in Europe which is like a Champions League for the youth teams. (Leipzig's) Eric (Majetschak) is one of these players who played against Istanbul around three weeks ago. Every game against international or World Cup teams is a great development for the players."
The German side is not happy with the grass of the Goa stadium. It is different in nature from the turf in which the team had trained before the tournament. On the grass issue, the coach opined, "I cannot explain. The players have a little problem with the grass (in Goa) while playing the ball but we are getting used to it and it will get better for us."
When asked about the Indian weather and how they have adjusted to the conditions, the coach replied, "We have come to India on the 1st of October. It (the weather) is not like Europe but after five or six days I think we have acclimatised ourselves to the weather."
A crucial member of the German side, goalkeeper Christian Fruchtl could not travel with the team this time as his club Bayern Munich refused to release the player. Manue Neuer's injury was the reason why Fruchtl take part in the World Cup.
On asked if they will miss the custodian, Wuch said, "I think the reason why Christian (Fruchtl) stayed in Germany is logical. Manuel Neuer is injured. After talking to the coaches of Bayern, it is natural that we don't get the player to the World Cup because the club needs him."