No suspicion over Germany-USA collusion
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E-mail Xinhua, June 23, 2014
United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann insisted Sunday there would be no pact with Germany to draw their final group match and guarantee both teams' passage to the World Cup knockout stage.
The United States looked set to confirm their spot in the round of 16 before Silvestre Varela's last-minute header earned Portugal a 2-2 draw at the Arena Amazonia stadium.
The result means the U.S. and Germany need only a point from their final Group G match in Recife on Thursday to progress.
At his post-match press conference, the U.S. boss was asked how he would respond if Germany coach and close friend Joachim Loew called him to ask for a pre-arranged draw.
"There's no such call," Klinsmann said. "Jogi is doing his job and I'm doing my job. I'm going to do everything to get to the round of 16. That's what I'm going to do. There's no time to have friendship calls. It's about business now."
A loss against Germany at the Arena Pernambuco stadium would leave the U.S. reliant on the result of Ghana's clash with Portugal in Brasilia the same day.
Victory would guarantee the Americans top spot and a clash against the second-placed team in Group H, currently Algeria.
"The U.S. knows only how to give everything it has in every game," Klinsmann said. "We have that fighting spirit and that energy and determination to do well in every single game. Our goal is to beat Germany.
"I don't think we are made for draws really, unless it happens like tonight with two late goals in the last seconds. Both teams go into this game and want to win the group.
"We want to go at Germany and get three points and be in the driver's seat for the Round of 16. I am sure we will see in four days a very exciting match in Recife."
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