Klose bids for record in Brazil

[caption id="attachment_35093" align="alignright" width="250"] ON TARGET AGAIN: German striker Miroslav Klose celebrates after scoring during the friendly match against Armenia in preparation for the World Cup. Picture: AFP[/caption]

VETERAN German international striker Miroslav Klose heads into his fourth World Cup finals not content just with having become the all-time record national goalscorer but determined to leave Brazil as the record marksman in World Cup history.

Polish-born Klose became Germany's all-time top-scorer last Friday when he netted his 69th goal in his 132nd appearance in their 6-1 friendly thrashing of Armenia.

He bettered the previous record set by Gerd Mueller, who scored the winner in the 1974 World Cup final to claim his 68th goal in 62 appearances for West Germany.

Klose could return from Brazil as the all-time top scorer at World Cup finals as his 14 goals leaves him one short of retired Brazilian star Ronaldo's record of 15.

Klose was the top-scorer at the 2006 World Cup in Germany with five goals, having finished second with another five at the 2002 tournament, while he scored four in South Africa four years ago.

"I hope to have the chance to score one or two goals, and anyone who knows me is aware that the World Cup scoring record is a target of mine," Klose said.

His longevity – he has been a constant presence since making his debut in 2001 – is remarkable and saw him celebrate his 36th birthday at the German base in Brazil on Monday. – AFP