Michael Ballack admitted hosts Germany were "a little bit lucky" to beat Poland in their second match of the World Cup - but he and Jens Lehmann both believed the late winner was richly deserved.
The three-time World Cup winners secured victory with an injury-time strike in Dortmund last night, Oliver Neuville converting a right-wing cross from fellow substitute David Odonkor.
German national teams have made a habit of pulling off narrow wins, and Ballack claims the result proved some typical qualities.
'The win showed that we are very strong mentally and that we keep believing until the very end,' Chelsea's new signing said.
'I don't know whether it was a typical German win but we deserved the victory because we controlled the match well.'
Miroslav Klose and Ballack both hit the bar from close range in the dying stages, before Neuville made his mark on the match.
'Right after (hitting woodwork) I thought it wasn't meant to be, revealed Ballack. 'But then we got this late winner which was a little bit lucky.'
Goalkeeper Lehmann added: 'It was no luck. We had the bigger chances. It was a well deserved victory. We are happy to be through to the second round now.'
Ballack was full of praise for the sell-out crowd of 65,000 boisterous fans. 'The fans were great,' he stated. 'The game also showed that the crowd believes in us and that they don't grow impatient when we are struggling.'
The 29-year-old returned to the German starting XI after the nagging calf injury which had kept him sidelined since June 2.
Jurgen Klinsmann rested his skipper for the opening 4-2 victory over Costa Rica, despite Ballack feeling he was ready to play.
'I was highly motivated but not angry,' said Ballack. 'I was a little bit surprised that I have already reached this level of play.'
Klinsmann hailed the influence of the former Bayern Munich midfielder. 'We are extremely pleased with his performance because his role is crucial for us,' said the national team coach.
'He is our leader and our locomotive. He is the connecting link between the back four and the strikers and he played an excellent game. We live by his rhythm and he is a very special player for us.'
