Ozil to skip pre-World Cup friendly

Leverkusen, June 7: Germany and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil is set to skip their final pre-World Cup friendly with the German Football Association saying it is "a precautionary measure."

"We don't want to take any risks tomorrow," Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff was quoted as saying by ESPNFC. "He sprinted today, and I'd like to think it will be an issue at the World Cup. "He played the Austria match. You do need those minutes. I don't think [the fitness] will be a problem. You can build up fitness during a tournament."

Germany host Saudi Arabia here on Friday. Ozil has missed out on the majority of the training sessions in the nation's training camp in Eppan, Italy. IANS