Saudi Arabia relishing friendly game against ‘World Cup favorites’ Germany

Juan Antonio Pizzi will hope to nail down his starting XI following the friendly with Germany. (AP)

• Green Falcons play in Leverkusen tonight
• Coach Pizzi says Germany are 'one of the best national team in the world'

Juan Antonio Pizzi said Saudi Arabia "are ready" to take on Germany tonight and has challenged his Green Falcons side to raise their game against the world champions.
Saudi Arabia conclude their comprehensive warm-up program — this will be their ninth match of the year — with a tough-looking assignment against Joachim Louw's in Leverkusen. The last time the two nations met, at the World Cup in 2002, Germany ran out 8-0 winners. A drubbing is the last thing the Green Falcons need with less than a week until the tournament starts, but Germany are not firing on all cylinders. They have not won any of their last five matches and have lost the last two, against Brazil and, more surprisingly, against Austria. But Pizzi still feels the Germans are a major force to be reckoned with.
"For us, it’s an honor to play against Germany, one of the best national team in the world," Pizzi said in a video published on the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Twitter page. "It is highly expected to win the World Cup. We conclude the preparations with this friendly game. We are ready, and we are well prepared for this game. We will have a good game hopefully and we have the honor to play with this team."
The football federation have not been afraid to pitch the Green Falcons against high-calibre opposition. This will be their third straight game against a side ranked in the world's top 20, following on from games against Italy and Peru.
"The game against Germany is very important because the German national team has excellent players on the individual and collective levels," said Pizzi. "They have a coach who has been with the team for a long time and has many achievements. Hopefully, we will be up to the level."
The game could divide the loyalties of Oliver Kahn. The German won 86 caps for his country and went to four World Cups, but he is now employed on a consultancy basis in the Kingdom.
"Oliver Kahn is working with the Saudi Football Federation," said Pizzi. "He is preparing the goalkeepers of the Saudi Pro League. We respect him and thank him for all his help."