Klinsmann demands one final push against Mexico

Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann called on his players for one final effort in the Confederations Cup third-place play-off against Mexico today to continue their build-up for next year's World Cup.

Third-fourth play-offs can be drab affairs with the teams knowing they have missed out on the final and players keen to go home.

Klinsmann sees today's match differently, however, as with Germany already qualified as hosts it is their last competitive match before next year's World Cup.

"For us, the tournament is in no way over. It is important that we end on a good note.

"We are taking it very seriously," Klinsmann told a news conference yesterday.

"We have the duty to give everything again, particularly for the super fans. Then the fans can leave on their well-earned holidays," he said.

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger reflected the positive mood in the camp despite their 3-2 semi-final loss to Brazil.

"It would be terrible to go into the break with a loss," he said.

Klinsmann, who has no major injury concerns, will not reveal his starting line-up until today but hinted he would not experiment against opponents ranked sixth in the world who have gone 21 matches without defeat in open play.

Of nine games between Germany and Mexico, Germany have won four with four draws.

The last time they met, in the 1998 World Cup, exactly seven years ago today, Germany won 2-1, Klinsmann scoring the last of his 47 international goals and current team manager Oliver Bierhoff netting the winner.

Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn is set to win his 80th cap.