Klose, Henry, Podolski Target World Cup's Top Striker Award

Germany strikers Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski have more to play for than third place at the World Cup, with the Golden Shoe for the tournament's top scorer set to be decided on the final weekend.

Klose, who faces Portugal in Stuttgart tomorrow, has matched his 2002 World Cup tally of five goals to lead by two from France's Thierry Henry and Podolski. France plays Italy in the July 9 final in Berlin.

"The main thing is to finish third but if I can make a contribution then I would be happy,'' Klose told reporters. "It's great to be the top scorer at a World Cup and I would like Germany to have at least one title.''

If none of the contenders score, Klose would become the lowest-scoring winner since 1962. This World Cup's average of 2.3 goals per game is the lowest since 1990.

Four of the weekend's players have two goals: France's Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane, Portugal's Maniche and Italy's Luca Toni, the only striker among the quartet.

Brazil's Ronaldo won the 2002 award with eight goals, the first top scorer to be on the World Cup-winning team since Italy's Paolo Rossi in 1982.

Henry, aiming to repeat the feat, must score at least twice to stand a chance of becoming the second French winner after Just Fontaine's all-time record 13 goals in 1958. Gerd Mueller was the only German victor, with 10 goals in 1970.

GOLDEN SHOE CONTENDERS

Klose (Germany) 5
Henry (France) 3
Podolski (Germany) 3
Toni (Italy) 2
Vieira (France) 2
Zidane (France) 2
Maniche (Portugal) 2