Bierhoff hopes to end career on high

Germany striker Oliver Bierhoff hopes to end his international career by winning the World Cup.

Bierhoff said before the tournament that he would retire from international football at the end of the Far East finals - and he knows there is no better way to sign off than by winning the trophy.

It would be the crowning achievement in a glittering six-year career for Bierhoff, during which time he has scored 37 goals in 69 appearances.

Germany will play the winners of Brazil’s match with Turkey in Yokohama on Sunday following their 1-0 semi-final win over South Korea.

Bierhoff said: "It’s good to finish with the World Cup Final.

"I think that’s a nice way to bow out and it would be great to win the cup."

Bierhoff does not know if he will start on Sunday and the 34-year-old has had to make do with a bit-part role because coach Rudi Voller has used Miroslav Klose, Marco Bode and Oliver Neuville ahead of him.

The Monaco forward, who may quit football completely this summer, hopes to figure at some stage.

"Before the World Cup I had hoped to play a little bit more than I have done, but until now the coach has been playing with Miroslav Klose," he said.

"I hope to start, but if not I will be ready to come on."

Germany have confounded the critics who have slammed their playing style, including Franz Beckenbauer, by reaching a record seventh World Cup final.

Bierhoff is philosophical about the criticism and he feels it comes with the territory for Germany.

"It’s normal," he said. "The expectancy in Germany is very high. They’re not just satisfied with winning and they want to see a nice game.

"I think against Paraguay and the United States we didn’t play so well, so it’s normal that they criticise a little bit.

"But we don’t think about that and we only think about ourselves and winning the match. And here we are in the final."

Germany won their third match in succession 1-0 and they just about did enough to shade a tight encounter in the Seoul World Cup stadium.

Michael Ballack was the German goalscoring hero for the second match running and he put aside his disappointment at picking up a booking, which has ruled him out of the final, to score the winning goal.

He scored in the 75th minute when goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae saved his first shot from Neuville’s cross and he tapped home the rebound - just four minutes after being cautioned for cynically fouling Lee Chun-soo on the edge of the German box.

His goal brought to an end Korea’s brave campaign, but Lee is already thinking of 2006.

Guus Hiddink’s side go on to Saturday’s third/fourth play-off match in Daegu and Lee said: "Certainly we’re sad that we’ve lost, but there’s still one more game and even after that there are other games too.

"In 2006 there will be more World Cup games and if we work harder and prepare more, we’ll be able to come up with better results in the next World Cup."