Low can't explain sending off
17 Jun 2008 - 08:24:19
Germany coach Joachim Low was mystified for the reason behind his banishment to the stands during Monday's vital 1-0 Group B victory over Austria in Vienna.
Michael Ballack's 49th minute free-kick fired the pre-tournament favourites into a quarter-final showdown with Portugal, but just before half-time Low and Austria counterpart Josef Hickersberger were sent from the technical area.
The pair had become embroiled in a heated discussion with the fourth official.
"I told the referee's assistant we wanted quietly to get on with our coaching work in our zone and that's why we were both sent to the stand," said Low.
"I am pleased to garner this important win in a match where we were under enormous pressure."
Meanwhile, Ballack praised the spirit of his team-mates who were far from their fluent best against Austria but still managed to grind out an important victory.
"It was very difficult and the team showed great fight," he said.
"We brought ourselves into this situation with the loss to Croatia. It was clear that it wasn't going to be easy, but the important thing was that we showed fight.
"We have set ourselves high targets and we still have them. But we will now have to face a very, very strong team."