Germany coach Joachim Low targets perfect start ahead of Northern Ireland game
Monday 10 October 2016 18:02, UK
Germany head coach Joachim Low is targeting a perfect record from their opening four World Cup European Qualifiers, with Northern Ireland the next team in their sights.
Low's side defeated Czech Republic 3-0 on Saturday, having beaten Norway by the same scoreline in their opening Group C fixture.
Germany lead the group from surprise package Azerbaijan on goal-difference but Northern Ireland have also begun well.
Michael O'Neill's team secured a creditable goalless draw away to the Czech Republic in their opening fixture before a Kyle Lafferty brace helped them defeat San Marino 4-0 in Belfast on Saturday, but Low insists he is entirely focused on his players.
"I have told the team I'll only be happy if we get the maximum number of points from our next two games," he said.
"We are concentrating on ourselves, that we develop further and make sure we win our games, but we're self-confident enough to say we'll qualify."
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Germany narrowly defeated Northern Ireland at Euro 2016, with Mario Gomez scoring the winner in a 1-0 victory, a game that gave Low a taste of what to expect from Tuesday night's opponents.
"The team is passionate, the players have a big heart," he added.
"A large part of their Euro 2016 squad will also be in Hanover, so we know what to expect."
Defender Mats Hummels admits Germany's desire for 12 points from their first four qualifiers is in part motivated by a faltering qualifying campaign for the European Championships which saw them suffer two away defeats.
"We are very motivated to invest everything in this two-year campaign for the World Cup," said Bayern Munich defender Hummels.
"We are on the right path and we want to show we are one of the best teams in the world."
Hummels and Jerome Boateng knocked a series of diagonal balls forward to great success against the Czechs, but Low does not expect the same long-ball tactic to work against the Irish.
"I don't think Northern Ireland will present us with the same opportunities," said Low.
"They will sit deeper and not pack the middle as much as the Czechs, and they have very good players in the air. They won't give us so much space."
Watch Germany v Northern Ireland on Tuesday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7pm.
