MATCH 15 PREVIEW : FOCUS REQUIRED FOR GERMANS

Heartening performance
The Germans opened their campaign with a heartening performance in a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands earlier this week - but woe betide coach Rudi Völler's men if they decide to underestimate the team from the Baltic, who have already demonstrated that any side that comes up against them here in Portugal must expect to work diligently to bring them to heel.

Respect
Latvia, shock qualifiers via an unlikely play-off success against 2002 FIFA World Cup bronze medallists Turkey, did enough in their opening match against the Czech Republic to dispel coach Aleksandrs Starkovs' fears that they had no right to be at the tournament. They may still not win a point in a tough group but they have already earned the respect of their rivals.

Front duo
Starkovs' charges led until the last quarter of an hour against the Czech Republic, defending heroically until a late onslaught finally cracked them open in a 2-1 defeat. They fought wholeheartedly in defence, and have a front duo in Maris Verpakovskis and Andrejs Prohorenkovs that will keep the German rearguard fully occupied. Certainly Völler will have noted with interest the way that the two combined astutely for the Latvian goal against the Czechs.

'Difficult to beat'
Against the Netherlands, the Germans produced a committed and tactically accomplished display that they feel should have brought them all three points. "Every team in the world will find us difficult to beat if we play that way," said assistant coach Michael Skibbe.

Latvia (possible): Kolinko; Isakovs/Zirnis, Stepanovs, Zemlinskis, Blagonadezdins; Bleidelis, Astafjevs, Lobanovs/Laizans, Rubins; Verpakovskis, Prohorenkovs.

Germany (possible): Kahn; Friedrich, Wörns, Nowotny, Lahm; Schneider, Hamann, Frings, Ballack; Bobic, Kuranyi.

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