MUNICH, Sep 6 (SW) – German legend Franz Beckenbauer has taken a swipe at the national set-up after the 2-0 friendly loss against Slovakia on the weekend.

"It’s lucky we qualify automatically for the World Cup. There’s no defence, no goalscorer - just a lot of journeymen,” said the frustrated World Cup organiser.

Beckenbauer, who guided the side to triumph as a player in 1974 and as coach in 1990, was also critical of the rotation system of goalkeepers Oliver Kahn and Jens Lehmann.

"We just can’t have the best goalkeeper off playing golf while we have an international match," said Beckenbauer of Kahn’s weekend absence.

"Next time, he’s going swimming. The defence has to get used to playing with the goalkeeper. Jürgen is shying away from making a decision.

In finishing, Der Kaiser revealed his disappointment that the side had not showed any sign of progress after the Confederations Cup in June.

“I just find it sad that we’ve lost the momentum from the Confederations' Cup."