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Bierhoff/ Klinsmann: GermanyThe Olly and Klinsy show is playing to packed houses and receiving rave reviews at the World Cup. The German mid...

Bierhoff/ Klinsmann: Germany

The Olly and Klinsy show is playing to packed houses and receiving rave reviews at the World Cup. The German midfield may have forgotten their lines but the stage presence of Oliver Bierhoff and Jurgen Klinsmann has saved the multi million dollar production from an early curtain call. Germany8217;s striking duo have scored six of their side8217;s eight World Cup goals and their opportunism is the main reason why the three-time winners are safely through to the quarters.

The industrious but less than creative midfield is giving the strikers scant service but Bierhoff and Klinsmann, with three goals each, are living luxuriously on scraps.

While Klinsmann is keeping silent about his next move, Bierhoff8217;s future is assured. His 27 goals for the unfashionable Udinese in Italy8217;s Serie A last season have won him a dream move to sleeping giants AC Milan and the 30-year-old8217;s World Cup displays must be pleasing his new bosses.

Christian Vieri: Italy

Australia8217;s failure toqualify for the World Cup finals hasn8217;t stopped it from claiming bragging rights over the deeds of the tournament8217;s top goal poacher 8211; Italy8217;s Christian Vieri. The scorer of five goals has been deemed an honorary Aussie 8211; at least for the duration of the World Cup 8211; because he spent part of his childhood in Australia.

quot;With no socceroos in France, Vieri and Croatia8217;s Anteseric are the closest things we have to home, so let8217;s milk them for all they8217;re worth,quot; urged The Herald Sun newspaper. Vieri was born in Italy but moved to Australia when he was three after his father Roberto, an Italian soccer star in the 1960s and 1970s, accepted an offer to coach Sydney club Marconi-fairfield.

Luis Hernandez: Mexico

LUIS Hernandez returns to Mexico as a four-goal soccer pin-up but it could have been so much better. The blond-haired striker had put Mexico ahead against Germany yesterday with a superb goal, showing sparkling footwork to beat Michael Tarnat and great balance to hold off Christian Woerns beforefiring past Andy Koepke. But with an hour gone, the man known as quot;the matadorquot; lost his killer instinct just when he needed it most. After Koepke had tipped the ball on to a post following Lothar Mathaeus8217;s tackle on Jesus Arellano, it came back to Hernandez but he managed only a weak side-footer and Koepke smothered. It would certainly be wrong to remember Hernandez for that miss 8212; and few will 8212; but he will know he had the chance to give Mexico their greatest-ever victory.