Germany and Japan were among the latest teams to arrive in Brazil four days before the start of football’s World Cup.
The Germany squad, seeking to give the nation a fourth world title, touched down in Salvador early Sunday and took a short connecting flight to their base at Porto Seguro.
“It’s good that it’s now starting,” team manager Oliver Bierhoff said.
“Once we are in Campo Bahia there is only one thing that counts – football.”
Germany arrive with high hopes but the trip has followed the setback of losing attacking midfielder Marco Reus to injury. Reus has been replaced by central defender Shkodran Mustafi of Sampdoria.
“We won’t be complaining. We will accept the conditions as they are,” Bierhoff said. “I am convinced that with this attitude we can achieve a lot at the World Cup.”
Germany were set to train for the first time at their base on Sunday afternoon as they prepare for their first match in Group G, against Portugal on June 16.
Japan arrived in Brazil late Saturday with the aim of reaching at least the last 16, as they did four years ago in South Africa.
Under Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni, the Japanese moved into their base at the Sport Spa Resort in Itu, in Sao Paulo state.
“It’s been four years of long preparation. We are hoping to show the result if that good preparation here in Brazil,” captain Makoto Hasebe was quoted as saying on the FIFA website.
“We are very happy to be here. Physically we are in great condition, emotionally we are in great condition.”
Japan’s opening match on June 15 will be against Ivory Coast in Group C in Recife, before they face Greece and Colombia.
The host nation also welcomed Mexico – opponents of Brazil in Group A – who have moved in at their base at Santos in Sao Paulo state.
Source: GNA
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