I had to leave Klose out – Low

(GSM) – Germany manager Joachim Low insists he could not field striker Miroslav Klose in the the third-place play-off match against Uruguay. Klose had a chance to set a new World Cup scoring record but he was left out of the squad with flue.

Klose’s hopes to to better Brazilian Ronaldo’s record tally of 15 goals have currently been dashed as Klose, now 32, is very unlikely to feature in Brazil’s 2014 World Cup. Low had to make the decision but admits it was difficult to make the call.

Still the Germany manager, who is reportedly set to be offered a new contract by the German football federation, insists he had the country’s best interests at heart when leaving Klose on the bench.

“We needed 100 per cent from everyone so we couldn’t afford to use players who are not fit,” he said.

“This is why we didn’t field ill or injured players. It would have been irresponsible. He simply couldn’t play, he failed the fitness test.

“He wanted to play but he said there was no point because he could only play a few minutes.

“He could hardly walk. There was no way I could have played him.”

Low was sympathetic with Klose, insisting that he understood why the striker was devastated not to play.

“Just imagine his feeling. You want to get a record.

“He really wanted to play and was absolutely devastated but he knew it was the team that was important.”