Argentina wary of penalty kings Germany

BERLIN: Argentina coach Jose Pekerman will be secretly crossing his fingers that Friday's World Cup quarter-final tie with Germany does not come down to penalties, as the hosts have a flawless record.

Germany have been involved in three penalty shootouts at World Cups and have won on each occasion, missing just one of their 14 spot-kicks.

In the semi-final of the 1982 World Cup West Germany beat France 8-7 on penalties. Ulli Stielike missed one spot-kick for Germany and incredibly that is the only penalty miss in German World Cup history.

Four years later in Mexico, West Germany needed spot-kicks to defeat the hosts 4-1 at the quarter-final stage.

In 1990 England were the victims losing 5-4 in the semi-final with Chris Waddle blasting his effort over the crossbar.

West Germany went on to win the final 1-0 over Argentina with a penalty in normal time from Andreas Brehme.

It makes ominous reading for Argentina and manager Jurgen Klinsmann admits Friday's game could go down to the lottery of penalties.

"We want to win without penalties but if it comes down to that we are ready," Klinsmann said. Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann agreed.

"We have to consider penalties. If both teams play to the top of their game then it could go to penalties. Who knows?" Lehmann declared.