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Nigerian debuts for Germany
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Nigerian Patrick Owomoyela, who plays for Arminia Bielefeld, will make his debut for Germany when they take on Asian champions Japan on Thursday.
Germany kick off their three-game Asian tour with a match against Japan at the Yokohama stadium, where they lost to Brazil in the final of the 2002 World Cup.
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has brought only six survivors from the class of 2002 and skipper Michael Ballack, who was suspended for that final, supported Klinsmann’s policy of testing new players. “We’re not playing qualifying matches for the World Cup so it is a very good chance to try out new players,” said Ballack.
Europe’s U-21 best player:Rooney beats Obafemi
Manchester United England wonderkid Wayne Rooney has been picked as Europe’s most outstanding Under-21 player ahead of Nigeria’s Obafemi Martins, who was placed fifth.
Martins, who celebrated his 20th birthday in October, is the current best young player in Africa and he is most likely to be in the running for this year’s award. Thirty top sports journalists polled by Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport picked Rooney tops while his Manchester United mate and Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo was runner-up.
Atletico Madrid highly rated striker Fernando Torres placed
third and Chelsea Dutch star Arjen Robben was fourth.
Germany assistant coach Yoachim Low said: “It’s almost certain that Patrick will play tomorrow (today)
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