World Cup: Germany’s Miroslav Klose(s) in on a striking record

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Now would not be the time to bet against Germany going all the way to the July 11 World Cup final and perhaps winning the whole thing.

Why?

Well, not because of its comprehensive 4-0 demolition of hapless Australia (‘Humble Kangaroo Pie,’ said the Times of Johannesburg on Monday morning) but because of Miroslav Klose.

The striker scored one of the goals against the Socceroos on Sunday in Durban, South Africa, to give him what surely must be a unique record. Klose scored three goals in Germany’s opening game in 2002, two goals in its opening game in 2006 and now one in its opening game in 2010.

The goal brought his overall World Cup total to 11, leaving him only two shy of Just Fontaine’s French-record mark of 13, three shy of compatriot Gerd ‘Der Bomber’ Muller’s German-record total of 14 and four shy of the world record of 15 World Cup goals held by Brazil’s Ronaldo.

‘This is one of my strengths,’ Klose said, ‘being able to be ready when it matters.’

You think?

-- Grahame L. Jones in Johannesburg, South Africa