LATVIA striker Marian Pahars claimed that English referee Mike Riley did not award a penalty against Germany in the goalless draw on Saturday because he was overawed by the occasion.

The Saints forward was speaking after a tense encounter at the Estadio do Bessa where Germany dominated territorially but where Latvia came closest to scoring.

In the second half there was controversy when Latvia were twice denied penalty claims by Riley for 'fouls' on Maris Verpakovskis - the first of which looked a particularly strong case.

Pahars said: "One (of the incidents) was a clear penalty but I think because I play in England I was not surprised.

"They never give penalties like that in England.

"Germany are a big side and maybe the referee was a little afraid - he could have done something incredible."

Pahars was once more a substitute - he also started on the bench in the 2-1 defeat by the Czech Republic in Aveiro.

He admitted: "I am ready to play 90 minutes - I was today and I was against the Czechs. But obviously the coach (Aleksandrs Starkovs) decided otherwise and I have to respect his decision."

Latvia could reach the last eight if they beat Holland in their final match.

"It will be an interesting game," said Pahars. "But we are not going to change our game plan - we will defend and try and hit them on the counter-attack."

Pahars believed the Czechs were far superior to the Germans, saying: "The Czechs were the better team - Germany looked good against Holland but not so good today. Maybe they underestimated us - this is like a dream for us."