Bierhoff defends Ozil over Germany boos

The former striker was in Stuttgart for the 1-0 friendly win over Chile and was bemused as supporters jeered the Arsenal playmaker when he was withdrawn late in the game

Oliver Bierhoff "cannot understand" why Mesut Ozil was whistled by fans during Germany's 1-0 win overChile on Wednesday night.

The Arsenal playmaker was named German Footballer of the Year in January and received his award on the pitch before kick-off before setting up the only goal of the game following an intense spell of early pressure from the Chileans.

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But he was roundly jeered when he was substituted in the 89th minute and Bierhoff, who won 70 caps for Germany and was in Stuttgart for the match, cannot understand the supporters' complaints.

"At the time, with the score [at 1-0], I did not understand the whistles. I find it a pity that a player like Mesut is singled out," he told Der Westen.

Joachim Low's men were often on the back foot against Chile, who pressed high up the pitch and carved out a number of openings, and the fans at the Mercedes Benz Arena also made their frustrations known by booing the whole team at the final whistle.

Low admitted that the South Americans were "clearly better" than Germany in the second half, while Philipp Lahm accepted that his side were "lucky" to record victory and that the supporters are entitled to feel aggrieved at their performance.

"The fans paid to see this match and they wanted a better performance, you have to accept [the jeers]," he told ARD. "We have some work ahead of us and we are aware of that."