New Delhi: He was a revelation during the World Cup at Korea/ Japan in 2002. While people knew what to expect from the Ronaldos and Beckhams of world football, little did anyone know about this tall, lanky striker from little known club FC Kaiserslautern playing in his first World Cup for Germany.
Originally from Poland, Klose immediately made a mark in the World Cup as he top scored for Germany in the tournament, helping his team to make it to the finals against Brazil, against whom they eventually lost. His five goals also included a hat-trick against Saudi Arabia.
But his form soon escaped him as he scored a mere seven times during the 2002-03 Bundesliga season.
His talent however didn’t go waste as the people around the world had already seen what he was capable of. After another two seasons in the German League, Klose got his form back, reinstating his reputation of the top striker for Germany heading into the 2006 World Cup on home soil.
His slender frame does not stop him from being one of the finest headers in the game, evident from his goals at the last World Cup, all coming from his head. Needless to say for a striker, he possesses an excellent right foot and thus is lethal in the six-yard box.
By the year 2005, Klose had once again established himself as one of Germany’s top strikers, if not the best, as he scored 26 goals in 26 games in the Bundesliga.
For Germany to repeat their run to the finals and perhaps to go a step further in front of their home crowd, hopes will be pinned on Miroslav Klose’s individual brilliance as well as him combining with Ballack and others, to go all the way.
Klose celebrates his 28th birthday when his team takes on Costa Rica on the opening day of the World Cup in Munich.
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