Jogi Makes Competitive Debut Against Ireland

Germany coach Joachim Löw said he was ready to get started in his mission to win the European Championships being held in Switzerland and Austria in 2008. Ireland, who are also premiering a new coach, will be his first opponent.

"We have to forget the World Cup and look forward. Our new target is to qualify for the European championships, but that goes without saying as far as I am concerned," Löw said. "The project starts against Ireland."

Löw, 46, took over when Jürgen Klinsmann quit after the World Cup finals when Germany finished a creditable third.

Lingering defensive problems

Germany start as favorites to win Group D and to swat aside Ireland but new manager Löw has been in the job just over six weeks -- far from the perfect preparation -- and the new coach faces a defensive crisis.

"Eveyone expects two wins from the next two matches but we have problems in defense with a lot of key players out," Germany captain Michael Ballack said.

Germany have lost Robert Huth, Per Mertesacker, Christoph Metzelder and Jens Nowotny to injury and Ballack said the midfield need to shoulder the defensive burden.

"Torsten (Frings) and I have a duty to help out the defense and provide some stability," Ballack said, adding that the team still intended to play the attacking soccer it did during the World Cup.

Neither side expecting an easy match

A 3-0 friendly win over Sweden was a promising start for Löw but he expects a much tougher game against Ireland.

"Ireland will show typical British values, and I expect them to fight for everything and make it very tough for us," Löw added.

But at the very least the Germans will be playing with comfortable feet. The country's soccer association reached a deal with Adidas allowing players to wear the boots of their choice after some of Germany's most experienced players, including World Cup Golden Boot winner Miroslav Klose, had threatened to boycott the match.

Ireland failed to qualify for Euro 2004 and this summer's World Cup and Staunton has been entrusted with the task of making sure his homeland do not miss out again.

"I never said it would be easy. I am just at the start and know what we have to do to be successful," said Staunton. "However I am optimistic we have enough good players to qualify for the European championships."

Room for improvement

Staunton, 37, hopes his team do just that and will expect a vast improvement on the 4-0 friendly hammering at home by the Netherlands last time out.

"It was embarrassing the Dutch could have scored more goals," admitted Everton midfielder Kevin Kilbane.

The last time Ireland faced Germany was in June 2002 when they played out a 1-1 draw in the World Cup group stage. A similar result would no doubt delight Staunton.

Germany are the bookmakers' favorites to win qualifying Group D which contains Ireland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Cyprus, Wales and San Marino.