Hamburg  - While fans are happy with the way the German football team team has been performing in their World Cup qualifiers, alarm bells are ringing over the off-the-field goings-on.

Germany top their group with ten points from four matches and more importantly beat their main rivals Russia 2-1, but that game was marred by Kevin Kuranyi's decision to leave the stadium after he was not picked as one of the reserves.

Coach Joachim Loew reacted immediately and said that the Schalke striker would no longer be playing in the national team.

But if the coach was hoping that was the end of his problems, he was mistaken, as Werder Bremen's Torsten Frings started voicing his displeasure at getting only a few minutes of playing time in Germany's two matches against Russia and Wales.

To make matters worse, Germany captain Michael Ballack took sides with his fellow midfielder, which in turn prompted Loew to criticize the Chelsea player.

Frings, who was one of the German stars in 2006 when they finished third at the World Cup, has said that he is not disappointed with having been dropped or not been given enough playing time.

"I am upset about the way in which this was handled, the way in which I was treated. That should not happen," he said.

Frings received support from Ballack, who also said that he did not think that the way in which the national team coach handled the situation was right.

Frings, who already played with Ballack in the German under-21 team and considers the captain as a good friend, said that Ballack realized when things were not being done the right way.

"If he thinks that something is not right and he wants to address it, it is his right to do so," Frings said.

However, Loew does not see the situation like that and has criticized his captain, with German media speculating Thursday that Ballack could face the chop.

German football officials, determined to try to put an end to the conflict that is being waged through the media, have suggested that Ballack and Loew meet to discuss the issues - a call that has been repeated by Loew.

Ballack is quoted in German newspapers on Thursday as saying that he is ready to speak to Loew at any time. "I am happy that the coach is looking to speak to me."

When asked when such a meeting could take place, Ballack said that the German football federation would need to speak to his club Chelsea to make a suitable arrangement.

For most German football fans such a meeting should happen rather sooner than later.

With just the group winner from the nine European qualifying groups advancing directly to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, the three-time world champions can ill afford to fall behind.

To ensure that that does not happen, they need a strong side: One with unity and harmony and at the moment there is the danger of losing both. (dpa)