Germans' confidence running high

Dubai: Despite both teams having already qualified for the top 16 of the World Cup, enthusiasm for the match between Germany and Ecuador still remained high.

For German expatriates in Dubai, who gathered at the Brauhaus Restaurant at the Jumeirah Rotana, the match was particularly important not only because it would determine if Germany clinched the top spot in Group A, but also because it would help determine whom the German team plays against next.

Germans acknowledged the significance of winning the match to avoid a clash with old rivals England..

"We really need to win this match so that we can avoid playing against England at this early stage. It would be a good strategy to save that vital match for later," said German Markus Finke.

According to Finke, Germany had already pretty much triumphed with Miroslav Klose having scored two goals before half time.

"For sure, we are going to win this match. I think we are going to make it to the final this year," said Markus.

Markus's confident opinion was also echoed by another German supporter Dirk Panten. "We are definitely going to win this match against Ecuador. We need to It's a bit too early for us to play against England even though I think we have the ability to beat them," said Panten.

The German confidence was running high on their previous two victories with the team having won 4-2 over Costa Rica and 1-0 over Poland.

"I feel really good about Germany's performance this year. I think a really good thing is that we are playing in our own country and this definitely works to our advantage. I think the World Cup could be ours this year," Panten added.

For Tunisian-born German Hamida Mohammad, Germany's victory against was almost a salvation. "I really needed Germany to win. After the dismal performance that Tunisia gave against Spain, Germany's victory comes as a great relief to me."

"For sure, we are going to win this match. I think we are going to make it to the final this year."