By David Anderson, PA Sport, Suwon

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Paraguay's Bayern Munich hitman Roque Santa Cruz is gunning for Germany and he claimed: "I will kill them".

The tall, thin Santa Cruz does not look the belligerent type, but he could not be more fired up for this World Cup second round clash.

He has been dreaming of playing Germany ever since the draw for the World Cup was made.

Santa Cruz's wish will come true on Saturday when Paraguay, who staged a remarkable comeback against Slovenia to qualify for the last 16 at the expense of South Africa, face Rudi Voller's side in Seogwipo.

Santa Cruz, 21, joined the Bundesliga giants from Paraguayan side Olimpia in 1999 and he could not be more excited about taking on his German Bayern team-mates.

"I have lived there for the last three years, but I think all the Germans will understand that if I get the chance I will kill them," he said.

"I feel very excited about the game. I have dreamed of this, to play Germany, and it will be very special for me.

"I think it is special for anyone to play against the country they play in."

Santa Cruz, who has scored nine goals in 27 games for Paraguay, revealed he has been joking with his Bayern team-mates about the possibility of meeting Germany in the World Cup for weeks.

He has also given goalkeeper Oliver Kahn in training a taste of what he might expect.

"It will be strange, but it won't be surprising," he said.

"When were playing the last games with Bayern Munich we were thinking about the possibility of Paraguay playing Germany in the World Cup.

"We were making some jokes with each other about it and now it's happening.

"When we were training, when I scored a goal I would say to the German players 'I will score a goal like that when I play against you with Paraguay'."

Paraguay, despite having just 10 men, scored three times against Slovenia in the final 25 minutes to squeeze through ahead of South Africa on goals scored.

Not surprisingly this has greatly boosted confidence in the dressing room and Santa Cruz said: "I feel we can beat Germany.

"We have qualified for the second round so why not? We never gave up against Slovenia and we got it because we wanted it.

"We have proved we are one of the best teams and surprised a few people. Maybe we can surprise Germany too."

Paraguay remained on Jeju island after their 3-1 win over Slovenia but coach Cesare Maldini must do without Porto midfielder Carlos Paredes who was sent off midway through the half.

Germany coach Voller, who watched Paraguay's dramatic qualification, has suspension problems of his own and Dietmar Hamann, Christian Ziege and Carsten Ramelow are all banned.

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