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Neuer: Germany still has 'room for improvement'

Reuters

Berlin - New captain Manuel Neuer says Germany has plenty of room for improvement, as he and his World Cup-winning teammates start their journey to the 2018 World Cup on Sunday in an opening qualifier against Norway.

Germany's path to Russia starts at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium and the team also faces Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan and minnow San Marino in Group C of its qualifying campaign.

In the build-up to the 2014 World Cup, Germany won nine and drew just one of its 10 qualifying matches; those standards dropped, however, in Euro 2016 qualifying.

Germany suffered uncharacteristic away defeats to Poland and Ireland on the road to Euro 2016 in France, but still finished top of its group. Still, Neuer says 'Die Mannschaft' can do better on the road to Russia.

"We don't know Norway that well, as we haven't played them that much in recent years, but we have analysed them and want to make sure we take the three points in Oslo," the Bayern Munich goalkeeper said. "We didn't have the best qualifying tournament for Euro 2016, so there is room for improvement.

"We are very motivated. We want to win the four games we have until November," he added, with home games against Czech Republic and Northern Ireland then San Marino away, also to come.

Neuer will look to guide Germany through that stretch, having been named Germany as replacement for the retiring Bastian Schweinsteiger. Neuer says he is honoured to succeed the Manchester United man, as well as Philipp Lahm, who skippered Germany to the 2014 World Cup title.

"I am especially proud to be captain. Philipp Lahm did a great job, as did Bastian, and I hope I can follow in their footsteps," Neuer said, after Schweinsteiger played his final international in Wednesday's 2-0 friendly win over Finland.

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