Voller congratulates Oliver Kahn after the game (Allsport)

By PA Sport Staff

Germany coach Rudi Voller praised match-winner Michael Ballack for committing the "technical foul" in their 1-0 semi-final win over South Korea that means he will miss the World Cup final.

The midfielder scored the game's only goal four minutes after he had earned a second booking in the tournament for bringing down Lee Chun-soo on the edge of the area as the Koreans threatened.

Voller said: "I have to give him the highest respect. Even though he knew he would miss the final with another booking he still committed the technical foul that was utterly necessary.

"He put himself at the service of not just his team-mates but of the whole of Germany.

"I think the entire country will applaud him."

Voller believed that Germany were worthy of their seventh appearance in the World Cup final.

"We were very compact throughout the game and we changed it around and played with a back four," he said.

"We were able to create goalscoring opportunities and we were the deserved winners of this match."

The former Germany striker was glad his side proved the sceptics wrong after their chances were written off in the build-up to the tournament.

"Two weeks ago a lot of people thought that we would not even make it into the last 16," he said.

"When you are in a semi-final you dream of the final and I think we played very well tonight."

German hero Ballack tried to remain upbeat despite his personal disappointment.

He said: "It is a very stupid situation for me personally because my dream had been to play in a World Cup final - but now it is not to be.

"On the other hand, the team as a whole has managed to accomplish an incredible feat.

"We can definitely be proud of ourselves. Few people before the tournament would have placed much money on us to reach the final.

"It is very satisfying for us to prove people wrong."

Ballack continued: "As a footballer you always have faith in your ability - but you have to be realistic as well.

"We did not believe we would get this far, but we have done it."

Germany's chances were predicted to be even slimmer after they lost experienced players Jens Nowotny and Mehmet Scholl through injury in the build-up.

But Christoph Metzelder and Bernd Schneider have proved more than able deputies.

"We are missing some very important players but in our heart of hearts we always knew the replacements would be almost just as good," said Ballack.

He also believes the performance of his own Bayer Leverkusen to reach the Champions League final and Borussia Dortmund to make the UEFA Cup final have stood the national side in good stead.

"German teams have gone very far in the European club competitions, so we knew what we were worth," said the 25-year-old.

"We believed in ourselves throughout. Tonight's game really proved to the world that we are here to get something."

Midfielder Dietmar Hamann has vowed to win the World Cup for suspended hero Ballack.

Hamann claims the team are indebted to Ballack, who also scored the winner in the quarter final against the United States, and he said: "He has scored two winning goals in the last two games and it's a pity he can't play on Sunday.

"We have to go out on Sunday and try and win the cup for him."

The Liverpool midfielder praised Ballack's character for the way he responded to the booking by scoring just four minutes later.

"Everybody knew he had been booked going into the game and that a second booking would mean he couldn't play on Sunday," he said.

"When he got booked it was 0-0 and he had the power and stamina to keep on playing and score the winning goal.

"He's a strong player. He's had a fantastic season and unfortunately he will miss the World Cup final, which is very disappointing.

"He's a great player and a great character and it's just disappointing he can't play on Sunday."

Defender Metzelder agreed with Hamann and he said: "It was a necessary foul, but we're disappointed that he will not be playing with us in the final.

"We will play even harder to make up for his absence."

Oliver Bierhoff joined in the tributes for Ballack and he said: "It's a big disappointment for him.

"He scored a very important goal against the States and again tonight.

"He's very a important player. He did a foul which was important for the team and now he can't play in the final."

While Germany must do without Ballack, Oliver Neuville will be free to play after FIFA confirmed the striker was mistakenly booked against the United States.

The yellow card has been transferred to Jens Jeremies, which means that Neuville is eligible for the final even though he was cautioned against Korea.