No deal with Germany, says US coach Klinsmann

Manaus, June 23 (IANS) US coach Jurgen Klinsmann insisted Sunday there would be no deal with Germany to draw their final group match and guarantee both teams' passage to the World Cup knockout stage.

The US looked set to confirm their spot in the round of 16 before Silvestre Varela's last-minute header earned Portugal a 2-2 draw at the Arena Amazonia stadium.

The result means the US and Germany need only a point from their final Group G match in Recife Thursday to progress.

At his post-match press conference, the US boss was asked how he would respond if Germany coach and close friend Joachim Loew called him to ask for a pre-arranged draw.

"There's no such call," Klinsmann said. "Jogi is doing his job and I'm doing my job. I'm going to do everything to get to the round of 16. That's what I'm going to do. There's no time to have friendship calls. It's about business now."

A loss against Germany at the Arena Pernambuco stadium would leave the US reliant on the result of Ghana's clash with Portugal in Brasilia the same day.

Victory would guarantee the Americans top spot and a clash against the second-placed team in Group H, currently Algeria.

"The US knows only how to give everything it has in every game," Klinsmann said.

"We have that fighting spirit and that energy and determination to do well in every single game. Our goal is to beat Germany."

"I don't think we are made for draws really, unless it happens like tonight with two late goals in the last seconds. Both teams go into this game and want to win the group," he said.

Klinsmann added: "We want to go at Germany and get three points and be in the driver's seat for the Round of 16. I am sure we will see in four days a very exciting match in Recife."