Despite losing their final group game to Germany 1-0, USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann is looking forward to the knockout stages.
Thomas Muller’s second half goal settled the game between two sides who looked quite content to play at a slow tempo.
Klinsmann admitted that he had put the game against his home country, and the previous two, behind him now.
“Once the group is done, another tournament actually starts,” the former World Cup winner noted. “The knockout stage is a completely different ballgame.”
The former Inter striker had written an open letter to company bosses in the USA, urging them to allow staff time off work to watch the game, as viewing figures for Yanks’ games at the World Cup have been climbing steadily.
His side go on to face Group H winners Belgium in the last 16, with the coach hoping his side can up their game a little from Thursday evening.
“We had a little too much respect for Germany in the first 20-25 minutes,” the Teutonic tactician conceded. “then I think nerves settled a bit.”
