Klose delight on 70th cap

Bayern Munich's striker Miroslav Klose captained Germany to a 2-0 victory vs. Wales on Saturday at Cardiff. The player enjoyed grabbing both goals in the 2-0 victory which was a milestone as it was not only the first time he captained his country, but his 70th cap.

The striker partnered Schalke 04's Kevin Kuranyi up front, and with good reason. Between them the pair have more than 100 caps and over 50 goals.

Germany coach Joachim Loew, whose side were five points clear at the top of Group D said his side were taking nothing for granted; but it only took Klose 5 minutes to get on the scoresheet.

"Wales have a very aggressive team. They will deliver a great fight. We need to go toe-to-toe with them," said Loew.

Loew was confident that - due to Ballack, Schneider and knee-injury victim Torsten Frings all being missing - he could afford to move Lahm into midfield. Lahm performed excellently in the middle of the park.

"I'll play wherever the coach tells me to play, it would be a challenge, but one I'd look forward to," said Lahm.

The 23-year-old was one of Germany's outstanding performers when a second-string German side beat England 2-1 at Wembley last month and looks set to join playmaker and Bayern Munich team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger in the midfield.

"Because we have so many players out, Bastian's role has increased," said Loew.

"We expect him to play much better than he did in Bayern's 1-1 draw in Hamburg. He has to be one of our leaders on Saturday."

Klose grabbed his second goal on 60 minutes, heading home a cross from Roberto Hilbert.

Germany lead the group with 22 points from 8 games and look odd on to qualify.