WC bid bribery charges on Germany — No big deal

“So what’s wrong if Germany did that,†was his sharp reaction on this controversial issue. ‘‘There is nothing wrong even if we had resorted to bribery. Every bidding country did that. We had the money and we won,†added the tall and well-built German coach.

Germany, according to this former Bundesliga mid-fielder, has better infrastructure than any other bidding nations for the 2006 showpiece. ‘‘We have some of the finest stadiums in the world while some more are coming up to host football’s greatest event on the earth.’’

On national team coach Rudi Voeller, he had played along with him in Hertha Berlin, Sidka feels the former German star will be able to instill the famous ‘fight till the end’ a familiar trait of the Germans attitude in the team. Truly, it was not the tough and gritty German team but a team which lacked in self-belief and confidence.

A quarterfinal defeat against Croatia in the 1998 World Cup followed by an early ouster in the Euro 2000 with an ignominous defeat against England clearly pointed that something was wrong with the three-time world champions. One point in three matches was what the German could manage. The aura and the invincibility were gone. It heralded the fall of an ancient empire.

But it was when the team was passing through one of their worst stages, that Voeller was appointed to take charge. His presence lifted the sagging morale of the team, feels Sidka.

‘‘Voeller is the man Germany require at this moment. Just look how the outlook of the team has changed after he took over. Beating England at Wembley in the World Cup qualifier shows how much the team has regained its composure and confidence.’’

On the team’s dismal showing in the Euro 2000 last year, Sidka agreed there was growing indifference between the juniors and some of the senior players. ‘‘The presence of the veterans did disturb the balance of the team at the Euro 2000 last year,’’ he added. ‘‘Lothar Matthaeus was growing old. He should have realised that. Instead, he decided to hang on. And that created a big problem for the juniors who resented his presence in the team. If you cannot perform you should make way for the others.’’

On Indian football, Sidka, who had played for Hertha Berlin, Munich 86 and Brehmen, frankly admitted that he had no idea about Indians playing football. ‘‘To tell you the truth I never knew that Indians also play. It was only after coming here that I have come to know that India have a football team. I only knew that you are good in cricket and hockey.’’