Germany can clinch their place in the last 16 with a win following their thumping 8-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, yet Voeller has already stated the Irish will be an entirely different proposition.

Here are the key match-ups which could decide whether Germany become the first team to reach the knockout stages, or whether Ireland leave themselves in with a fighting chance of glory.

Damien Duff v Thomas Linke

One goal in 27 international appearances would hardly appear to make Blackburn star Duff a striker to be feared. However Voller has conceded that the 23-year-old’s lightning pace could cause problems.

Duff looked out of sorts in the first 45 minutes against Cameroon in playing behind strike partner Robbie Keane, but when pushed further up alongside the Leeds forward in the second period, was more of a threat.

Duff could certainly find more room in which to operate if Voller again employs a back three, with Linke the integral and most experienced figure.

After starting his career with Rot Weiss Erfurt in the former East Germany, Linke has made his name with Schalke and, since 1998, Bayern Munich as a strong, good-in-the-air defender.

Matt Holland v Dietmar Hamann

Holland emerged as Ireland’s hero and manager Mick McCarthy’s man-of-the-match after his display against Cameroon when he scored the crucial equalising goal.

McCarthy was delighted with the central midfield partnership forged between Holland and Mark Kinsella, who had been asked to fill the void created by Roy Keane’s absence.

Holland certainly showed no ill-effects from Ipswich’s relegation from the Premier League, but will have to work closely with Kinsella again if they are to close down Hamann, whose distribution of the ball is his key asset.

At 6’3’’, Hamann is also an imposing figure in the centre of the pitch, as he has often proved while playing for Liverpool.

Steve Staunton v Miroslav Klose

Staunton will create Republic of Ireland history tomorrow when he becomes the first player to win 100 caps for his country.

The Aston Villa centre-back will certainly want to make it an occasion to remember by snuffing out Klose, whose hat-trick against the Saudis was all the more remarkable as all three goals were headers.

Staunton will also want to put behind him the error, if blame can be apportioned, which allowed Cameroon to take the lead in Niigata as he was left wanting by Samuel Eto’o’s trickery.

Klose, with an impressive record of 11 goals in 13 games which has led to him being likened to the legendary Gerd Muller, has yet to score against respected opposition as he has also netted hat-tricks against Israel and Austria, with his other goals coming in games with Albania and Greece.