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Germany break with tradition for Kazakh clash

Germany, top of 2014 World Cup qualifying Group C on 10 points from four games, will be looking to get all three points in Astana and will most likely try to do it without a designated forward.

With their last trophy dating back to 1996, the three-times world and European champions are eager to mould a team that can challenge for the biggest crown of all in Brazil next year and coach Joachim Low is ready to try everything.

In what is likely to be the latest shift from the traditional German style of play, Low could deploy "a fake nine" as a centre forward with offensive midfielder Mario Gotze looking set to start ahead of forward Mario Gomez.

"I have been toying for some time with the idea that players could take turns playing as forwards," Low told reporters. "It does not always have to be a big, physical centre-forward but smaller, more agile players who can find the right solutions in tight spaces and cause problems for the sometimes slower defenders."

Kazakh midfielder Marat Khairullin admitted: "The match won't be easy and its likely the Germans will have most of the possession and we will have to rely on counter-attacks."

"We will have to go to bed later to adapt too," Khairullin added.