Klose hunting sweet 16th World Cup goal

The 36-year-old Poland-born striker, who is appearing at his fourth World Cup finals, matched Brazilian legend Ronaldo's record in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Ghana -- the same opposition against whom the Brazilian set the new mark in 2006 -- in Fortaleza.

Klose, who broke Gerd Mueller's German record prior to the finals, could get his chance to break the record playing against former German boss Jurgen Klinsmann's United States in Recife in their final Group G match on Thursday.

"I'm itching for it, I want to be the first. That's my big goal," said the Poland-born striker.

Klose drew level with the now retired Ronaldo as he showed his typical predatory instincts and stabbed home the 71st-minute equaliser less than two minutes after coming off the bench to spare Germany's blushes.

Ronaldo was quick to congratulate Klose on matching his achievement as he tweeted "Welcome to the club, I can well imagine your joy".

Ironically, Germany was the host when Ronaldo broke Mueller's previous record of 14 and Klose could return the compliment by bettering the Brazilian's record in his home country.

Klose produced his trademark somersault celebration after the 70th goal of his 133rd international but did not have the best of landings.

He admitted it was the first time he had attempted the extravagant celebration for a while after an injury-ravaged season with Lazio.

"At may age, I didn't want to keep doing those any more," hs said.

"The fact I didn't quite pull it off so well doesn't matter, but you could see I was out of practise for it."

Klose also told German daily Bild the secret to his longevity -- plenty of sleep, as he likes to be in bed by 1930GMT at the latest.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-06-23