Sochi, Russia: Ambitious Timo Werner is eyeing Confederations Cup glory with Germany and hopes his two goals against Cameroon are enough to see him start Thursday’s semi-final with Mexico.
The 21-year-old sealed the world champions’ 3-1 win in Sochi with a second-half brace by heading home Joshua Kimmich’s cross, then drilled in a second to calm German nerves just after Vincent Aboubakar netted Cameroon’s consolation goal.
The win over Cameroon means Germany stay in Sochi to play Mexico for a place in Sunday’s final in Saint Petersburg with Chile and Portugal to meet the day before in Kazan’s other semi-final.
“Mexico will be tough to play, but we have also been good so far and I think we have a chance to go beyond the semi-finals,” said RB Leipzig’s Werner.
“We’re in the semis, so the next aim is to reach the final.
“To say we want to win the final would be over ambitious, but it wouldn’t be enough just to play in the third-place match.”
The fleet-footed striker has a sharp eye for goal and justified Joachim Loew’s faith with a man-of-the-match performance, which could be rewarded with another start against Mexico.
“Timo Werner really put in a lot of leg work,” said Germany’s head coach.
“At the start, our attacks somehow didn’t come to much, on so he wasn’t able to really shoot on target.
“It was a different story after the break, he was much more present in the box, that’s where he’s dangerous, he has a killer instinct.
“Both goals were nicely taken and he really earned them.”
Werner is one of only three players have now so far scored twice at this Confed Cup. He is in the company of global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and teammate Lars Stindl, whose place Werner took in Germany’s starting line-up against Cameroon.
The inexperienced Germans made a nervous, hesitant start in Sochi and after a frustrating first-half of missed half chances and scuffed shots, Werner’s game clicked.
“I needed some time before scoring, I was a bit annoyed because leading up to (the goals), I had a couple of situation which weren’t ideal,” said Werner.
“I got a couple of good passes, so I have to thank those guys who provided those.
“The man-of-the-match award is a great distinction for me, I am happy we won in Sochi and can have an extra day to prepare for the semi-final.
“Of course, the fact we can stay here helps, it’s nice to be by the sea.”
Manager Joachim Loew said he is looking forward to facing Mexico. “Mexico is going to be a tough game, they are a very flexible team with very good players,” said Loew, who became the first head coach to achieve 100 international wins.
“We don’t often play central American sides, so that will be interesting for us, but we need to be on our guard.”
Loew, in his 150th match in charge of Germany, maintained his impressive record of reaching the semi-finals of every tournament over the last decade.
