Enke poised to keep German goal at World Cup in South Africa
Hannover goalie Robert Enke is set to win the battle to be his country's number one keeper in next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa, former shot-stopper Andreas Köpke said Friday.
"Robert is ahead, he has been playing very well and if all proceeds normally he will be between the sticks against Russia," Köpke, Germany's goalkeeping coach, told Bild newspaper.
Germany play Russia in an October 10 qualifier which should determine which of the two countries tops Group Four.
"Up to now, in the three (league) matches he has played he has only conceded two goals with Hannover and he has been very solid in the matches he has played for the national side," added Köpke.
Enke, 32, has won eight caps to date and faces competition from Rene Adler (Leverkusen), Manuel Neuer (Schalke O4) and Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen). Wiese
is predicted to be the man who misses out when coach Joachim Löw finally
announces his squad.
Enke was number two to former Arsenal veteran Jens Lehmann at Euro-2008. He began his career at Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1996 and then had three years
with Benfica in Portugal. Thereafter he lost his way somewhat after Barcelona signed him up in 2002 only to loan him out to Fenerbahce of Turkey, then Spain's Tenerife.
Despite interest from other German sides he elected to join Hannover in 2004 to relaunch his career back in the Bundesliga.
Comments
See Also
"Robert is ahead, he has been playing very well and if all proceeds normally he will be between the sticks against Russia," Köpke, Germany's goalkeeping coach, told Bild newspaper.
Germany play Russia in an October 10 qualifier which should determine which of the two countries tops Group Four.
"Up to now, in the three (league) matches he has played he has only conceded two goals with Hannover and he has been very solid in the matches he has played for the national side," added Köpke.
Enke, 32, has won eight caps to date and faces competition from Rene Adler (Leverkusen), Manuel Neuer (Schalke O4) and Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen). Wiese
is predicted to be the man who misses out when coach Joachim Löw finally
announces his squad.
Enke was number two to former Arsenal veteran Jens Lehmann at Euro-2008. He began his career at Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1996 and then had three years
with Benfica in Portugal. Thereafter he lost his way somewhat after Barcelona signed him up in 2002 only to loan him out to Fenerbahce of Turkey, then Spain's Tenerife.
Despite interest from other German sides he elected to join Hannover in 2004 to relaunch his career back in the Bundesliga.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.