Bierhoff defends Germany's Asia trip

May 18, 2009, 13:34 GMT

Berlin - Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff Monday defended the national team's trip to Asia later this month, saying it was a chance for players to prove themselves to coach Joachim Loew.

The end-of-season trip has been criticized as many players including captain Michael Ballack still have club commitments.

The German squad leaves on May 26 for matches against China in Shanghai on May 29 and the United Arab Emirates in Dubai on June 2.

Loew will name what is expected to be a 20-man squad on Tuesday.

Bierhoff said the trip would be 'a real chance' for some fringe players to press their claims.

'We will playing with a strong and attractive team as all players from the top eight teams in the Bundesliga are included,' he said.

It was also an opportunity for the German Football Federation and the Bundesliga to present German football to the important Asian market.

Former Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, now retired, will be in the delegation in view of his popularity in Asia, and will appear in a goalkeeping talent show on Chinese television. Also in the delegation is Olympic fencing champion Britta Heidemann.

Loew will be missing up to a dozen first-choice players. Goalkeepers Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen) and Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen) are on duty for their clubs in the German Cup final in Berlin on May 30 and Schalke's Manuel Neuer is at the under-21 European Championships.

Borussia Dortmund's Roman Weidenfeller is thought to be a candidate to accompany Hanover keeper Robert Enke on the trip.