Loew to test younger players

Germany coach Joachim Loew says he will use the team’s remaining matches this year to test out younger players ahead of the World Cup.

Germany sealed its ticket to next year’s tournament in South Africa by beating Russia 1-0 in Moscow on Saturday. Loew’s side faces Finland in its final – and meaningless – qualifier in Hamburg on Wednesday, then plays Chile and Egypt in mid-November.

“I am extremely willing to take risks in such games,” Loew said in remarks posted Sunday on the German federation’s Web site. “Some (players) should be rested and some of the younger players should get their chance.”

“I would like to see again … what potential they have and whether they are up to such a tournament.”

Loew said Hamburg defender Jerome Boateng “will rank among our squad from now on” despite being sent off on his Germany debut Saturday after receiving his second yellow card of the match.

“That was a mistake that he will learn from,” the coach said, adding that Boateng “has taken great steps over recent months.”

Loew did not say whether Bayer Leverkusen’s Rene Adler had improved his chances of securing the No. 1 goalkeeper spot with his strong performance in Moscow.

However, he said that Adler “exuded calm and aplomb and reacted brilliantly.”