Germans prepared for midnight kick-off
Schweinsteiger draws on handball experience ahead of Kazakhstan qualifier
Germany team doctor Tim Meyer has said the players will keep their watches set to Central European Time for Friday's World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan, which kicks off at midnight local time.
Joachim Low's men face an arduous journey to the former Soviet state, which borders China and is five time zones away from Germany.
As a result of the time difference, the game is scheduled to start at midnight local time, to allow for a 1900 CET kick-off for German television audiences. Local buses will run until 3.30am to assist those travelling to the stadium.
Speaking to the press in Frankfurt on Wednesday, Meyer said the players would work against the time difference by sticking to German time when they are in Astana, the Kazakh capital - particularly as they will have to face the same opponents back in Nuremburg on Tuesday.
"As a rough guide, you normally need five days to adjust to the time difference, but we don't have the time and need to travel home again directly after the game," Meyer explained, ahead of Thursday morning's flight.
"That means all watches will remain on German time and all other daily routines like sleeping or eating will remain in the familiar rhythm time-wise.
"You can stick it out for one, maybe two days, but after that the day-night-change will affect you and the rhythm of your hormone release will be turned upside down."
It is a tactic that Germany had used when they defeated Kazakhstan 3-0 in qualification for Euro 2012, and Meyer, who reported no fresh injury worries, said they would look to follow the same schedule this time around.
Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and Real Madrid star Sami Khedira have been passed fit for the match, and Meyer said he is confident that the artificial pitch in Astana will not put the players at risk.
"The ground is harder but FIFA studies have shown there is no increased risk of injury," he said. "Rather it is smaller than if the players remained on natural grass."
Meanwhile, Schweinsteiger has spoken of his delight that Germany - who could employ Mario Gotze in the false nine position - have drawn comparisons with reigning world and European champions Spain.
"I consider it an honour to be compared with Spain," Schweinsteiger said. "They play almost perfect. Eventually, we might even be able to replicate it. The coach sees exactly which tactics are appropriate and we are generally at a very high level."
Information from the Press Association was used in this report
