Gomez relieved to break 'curse'

Source: Agencies  |   2009-6-4  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

GERMANY striker Mario Gomez went almost 14 hours without scoring for the national side but his four strikes against the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday ended his goal drought in style.

Gomez, whose last goal for Germany came against Switzerland in March 2008, had been under mounting pressure with the 2010 World Cup on the horizon.

However, the newly-acquired Bayern Munich striker finally broke his "curse" in the 35th minute before netting another three times in Germany's 7-2 rout in Dubai.

"A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders," said Gomez, who left VfB Stuttgart for a reported German record of 30 million euros (US$43 million) last week.

"This was not a tough opponent but I am just happy that the curse is now gone.

"It was also good that I scored in the final minute because otherwise I would have already gone 40 minutes without a goal."

The 23-year-old's first goal was an easy tap-in into an empty net and he added a second just before the break from close range.

He scored again three minutes into the second half with a low drive and netted his 10th goal in 25 matches for Germany from a tight angle in the box in the last minute.

Gomez, who had failed to score in Germany's run to the Euro 2008 final as well as against "weaker" opponents such Wales and Liechtenstein in World Cup qualifiers, won praise from his coach.

"This Asian tour was worth it. (Keeper Manuel) Neuer played great, Gomez scored again. These are two things that make me very happy," coach Joachim Loew, whose team drew 1-1 with China in Shanghai last week, said.