WOLFSBURG, Germany (AFP) - Germany's new captain Kerstin Garefrekes says she is only the temporary leader after replacing Birgit Prinz again for Saturday's women's World Cup quarter-final against Japan.
Prinz, 33, the most capped player in women's football with 214 appearances and 128 goals, was dropped for the final group game against France and does not expect to start against the Japanese.
But Garefrekes, who will win her 130th cap against Japan in Wolfsburg, says she is only in charge when Prinz is on the bench.
"Birgit Prinz is the captain of the team, I have no pretensions," said Garefrekes.
The 31-year-old insists the leadership hierarchy under coach Silvia Neid has not changed as the Germans look to win their third straight World Cup title.
"We get together and make decisions, we deal with each other in a very relaxed and calm fashion."
Below par-performances against both Canada and Nigeria in Germany's opening wins saw Prinz face criticism in the German press.
Having won her first cap in 1994, she will end her career after the tournament and briefly considered calling it quits after being taken off during the 1-0 win over Nigeria.
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