ROBERT HUTH: NATIONAL TEAM CAREER EXAMINED
Ex-Stoke City and Leicester City defender Robert Huthfeatured for the German u-20 and u-21 teams before making his debut for the senior team in 2004. Robert Huthplayed for the senior team over a five-year period between 2004 and 2009. He scored two goals in 19 caps for Germany.
Huthfeatured in his first major tournament for the German senior national team at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup on home soil. He formed a potent centre back partnership with former Arsenal defender Per Mertersacker as Germany finished the tournament in third place. Robert Huth scored his first goal for his country during the tournament. His maiden goal for Germany came in the 4-3 extra time win over Mexico in the third-place playoff.
The defender scored his second and final goal for Germany in an international friendly with Italy in March 2006. His goal proved to be just a consolation in a 4-1 defeat to the Italians in Florence.
He was blamed for several defensive errors in the friendly games ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup tournament on home soil and that led to him losing his place in the starting XI to Christoph Metzelder at the tournament proper. His only appearance at the 2006 FIFA World Cup came against Ecuador in the group stage.
Huth returned to the Germany squad for the first time since the 2006 FIFA World Cup tournament on home soil ahead of the friendly game with Switzerland in March 2008 but he had to pull out of the game due to a foot injury. His good club form prompted the recall to the national team for that Switzerland game.