Germans likely to score in set-pieces

BRAZIL'S rendezvous with the World Cup looks set to end when they take on Germany in the semi-finals of the tournament tomorrow morning.

The South American hosts of the tournament may find it tough to overcome the Germans in Belo Horizonte, with their talisman Neymar ruled out by injury and their captain, by suspension. Without their main source of goals, Neymar - whose four goals account for nearly half the 11 goals the team has bagged in this tournament - scoring may be a greater challenge for Luiz Felipe Scolari's men.

Germany are not perfect either. After starting the tournament with a bang, bagging a 4-0 win over Portugal, the German engine has stuttered. They secured a fortunate draw with Ghana, and then went on to labour to hard-fought wins over USA, Algeria and France. But that's Germany for you: even when their play lacks inspiration, they are able to grind out dogged wins. Tomorrow morning may not be any different.