World Cup 2010: James not expecting to be put on the spot as shoot-out fears loom

Published on Friday 25 June 2010 23:35

DAVID James is confident England can overcome Germany without needing a penalty shoot-out.

James tried to downplay the significance of tomorrow's World Cup last-16 meeting with England's old rivals and insists any romance surrounding the fixture has to "stay off the pitch".

But the 39-year-old has a quiet air of belief that England can avenge their 1990 World Cup and 1996 European Championship exits at the hands of Germany – both via penalties.

The Portsmouth goalkeeper said: "The winning of the World Cup is important, not just beating Germany – but we are confident.

"We have done what we need with regards to getting through and we know the match is romantic – but the romance has to be kept off the field.

"The possibilities beyond that could be interesting as well (a quarter-final meeting with Argentina if they beat Mexico) if we win on Sunday.

"It then brings on another match which will have its own unique historical values. We want to win a game, get onto the next game and win that as well.

"In order to be successful in this tournament, you've got to beat the best teams.

"Germany are a decent outfit. They are one of the fancied teams in the tournament.

"But we won in Berlin two years ago and that is the intention again this time. The intention is to go there and win in 90 minutes."

James added: "If you look at the potential road to the final, the ideal of beating Germany is an achievable goal for us. We are not sitting here as underdogs with no chance.

"It is the last 16, Germany are who we need to beat to progress. We will go through their strengths and weaknesses. Of course, we want to beat them in 90 minutes but we have to respect the fact, like with the Algerians and Slovenia, it is not going to be a walkover."

James also believes he will be better prepared than he was against Portugal in the 2004 European Championship should spot-kicks be required.

He failed to make a save when England were beaten on penalties by the host nation in Lisbon six years ago – a game in which an early injury to Wayne Rooney proved crucial.

James said: "After 120 minutes you go down to penalties and it's better than a toss of a coin, that's for sure.

"The Portugal match was a sad day for me because I didn't save any. You think 'what if I had done this, what if I had done that'.

"We didn't have as much access to information as perhaps we could have done with regards to potential penalty takers.

"The technology we have now means you can do your homework. It doesn't guarantee you 100 per cent success but it gives you some idea.

"We didn't have that in Portugal. If it comes to penalties, hopefully we will be ready for them."

England have been practicing penalties since they joined up for their training camp in Austria immediately after the end of the domestic campaign.

James added: "I don't know if I should say the lads are good against me or vice-versa but it changes from day to day. Some of our lads are pretty good."

Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Gareth Barry and James Milner are likely to be amongst the favourites to take spot-kicks if required.

However Joe Cole, who has never taken a penalty in a professional career spanning more than a decade, says he would be willing to step forward if needed.

He said: "I've never taken one – that's not to say I wouldn't. You have to be more of a man and step up and take one rather than shying away."

Germany coach Joachim Low admits he has a "major question mark" over the fitness of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Jerome Boateng, but insists his young side have no fear.

This weekend's latest instalment will see a youthful Germany outfit pitted against a hugely experienced England side boasting players Low believes are among the best in Europe.

"I think this is a type of game which both teams will approach with a great deal of respect," said Low.

"But while there will be respect you won't find fear in anyone's eyes, neither on the English or German side.

"No matter how important matches have been in the past, Germany have never approached these games with fear.

"There is some tension, but I would call it healthy tension.

"So great respect yes but we won't go into hiding or put our heads in the sand.

"Both teams will act with a great deal of courage, commitment and I think that, while we have a young team, we will be able to hold our own."

Looking back at past meetings between the long-time rivals, which has included key clashes in the World Cups of 1966, 1970 and 1990, as well as Euro 96, Low admits the games between the two are often spicy affairs.

"There are many chapters of the book of Anglo-German encounters on the pitch," he said.

"We've had many games that were quite important. These games have always had a certain spice to them, as the Germans say, and full of sparks.

"England can fight, they can run, they are mentally strong. They are also experienced and have class. So you can say it's youth versus international class, Germany v England, and we're looking forward to it."

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