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Defoe admits England would have preferred Ghana

Jermain Defoe volleyed England ahead against Slovenia © Getty Images

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Jermain Defoe has confessed England would rather be facing Ghana than Germany in their World Cup second-round clash on Sunday.

Fabio Capello's men have made life difficult for themselves by qualifying second from a group including USA, Slovenia and Algeria, meaning they must now beat Germany in the last 16 and potentially Argentina in the quarter-finals.

Former Germany captain and manager Franz Beckenbauer has labelled England 'stupid' for failing to win their group, and Defoe admits the England camp would have preferred to be facing Ghana this weekend, before taking on the winners of Uruguay and South Korea in the last eight.

"It would have been nice to have faced Ghana, but to win a major tournament you have to beat the best teams. It's important not to get caught up with the history of games," said Defoe during Thursday's press conference.

"At the back of your mind, you talk about it. But when you're confident, you're happy to play anybody. Some of the lads were saying 'it would have been nice to have got Ghana'. No disrespect to Ghana, they're still a good side.

"This is the situation we're in. Germany are a great footballing nation, they're fantastic in major tournaments, but we're looking forward to the game."

Historically, England v Germany games tend to end with penalties, with the Germans getting the better of the drama in 1990 and 1996. Defoe revealed the entire England squad has been practising since day one and, when asked if he would take one, the Tottenham man's response was direct.

"100 percent," he replied. "We've been practising every day. Since Austria we've been practising. A major tournament might come down to that, although I hope it doesn't."

And Defoe had one final message for the German camp, rubbishing Beckenbauer's claims that the England squad is tired.

"I don't feel tired. I understand the Premier League is the hardest to play in. But if you look after your body you're fine. I know the players are fresh. Everyone's fresh."

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