Klose upbeat to be in starting 11 at World Cup

FRANKFURT - Miroslav Klose remains upbeat to make it to Germany’s starting 11 at the football World Cup in South Africa but has also admitted that getting into the team groove again is harder than expected.

Klose, 31, scored five goals each for Germany at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, but has rarely played for Bayern Munich in the past season and disappointed in the last two tune-up games.

“I must admit that I underestimated the situation,” Klose told Saturday’s edition of the Bild daily.

“I don’t have to learn anything but I must get a better feeling for the team play. I thought it would be easier.”

Coach Joachim Loew is yet to drop Klose despite better showings from Stuttgart forward Cacau, but has also told Klose that he must improve in the final rounds ahead of Germany’s World Cup opener on Sunday, June 13, against Australia.

Germany leave for South Africa Sunday, with Serbia and Ghana are their other group D opponents.

The 96-times capped Klose told Bild that he remains fully confident about his first-team chances.

“I will play if I am fit … I have shown many times in the past that I am ready when it matters. All that counts for me is the game against Australia. I promise to be in better shape by then and I will explode again,” he said.

“It is my aim to improve on my 10 World Cup goals. I know I will make it. That’s why the next days of training are crucial.”