Tactics will interesting here...I expect we will have Harry upfront by himself and have a very defensive mindset...even more so than usual.

Game will be over by half time...Aust 0 Germany 3

Cahill: Bring on the Germans

(FIFA.com) Wednesday 28 April 2010


Tim Cahill has a knack of being in the right place at the right time. It is an uncanny skill that's earned him superstar status in his native Australia, and adoration among the throng of Everton fans who delight in the frequency of his corner flag-punching goal celebration.

The versatile midfielder's uncanny ability to spring a surprise earned him a place in Australian folklore four years ago, when he scored his country's maiden FIFA World Cup™ goal and then hit another to help claim a last-gasp victory over Japan and a place in the Round of 16. That was as far as Cahill and his team-mates were to go, though, as Francesco Totti's injury-time penalty for Italy tore their dream to shreds.

Memories of Germany are assured for Cahill this time around, too, as the three-time world champions pose the first threat to Australia's ambitions in South Africa. It's a match that could threaten Pim Verbeek's side's pursuit of success, but as the 30-year-old enjoys a renaissance at Goodison Park after a ponderous start to the Premier League campaign, he's anxious to shoot down German hopes and write a new chapter in the Socceroos' history books.

As one of the biggest summers of his life edges ever closer, FIFA.com spoke to Cahill about the challenge of overcoming Germany, his reputation as Australia's secret weapon and, as a UNICEF ambassador, what he hopes the FIFA World Cup will do for South Africa.

FIFA.com: Tim, what are your memories of watching the FIFA World Cup as a boy?
Tim Cahill: As a kid, for me, it was Roberto Baggio kicking that penalty over the bar (at USA 1994) and (Toto) Schillaci making a name for himself (at Italy 1990), scoring for Italy every time he had the chance. I used to try and emulate players like Bebeto and Romario, too. I like watching players like Bebeto and Schillaci, opportunist players who seize the moment, do something different and make something happen.

You 'seized the moment' in the game against Japan at Germany 2006, but how disappointed were you to be on the bench?
Oh yes, I was very disappointed, but looking back on it now, we had such a good squad that I can see why the manager [Guus Hiddink] made his decision. Plus, it allowed me to achieve one of the greatest things in my life: coming off the bench to score two score twice, including Australia's first-ever World Cup goal. So in hindsight, there are no regrets.

You were knocked out of the last FIFA World Cup by Francesco Totti's injury-time penalty for Italy. That denied you a place in the quarter-finals. How did that feel?
It hurt, especially with the penalty being given when we were so close to extra time, and with them only having ten men. I remember standing, putting my hands on my head and thinking: 'Please don’t shatter my dreams'. The only positive I can take from it is that Italy went on to win the World Cup and we were probably one of their toughest opponents in the competition. I think things happen for a reason. For us, it was a great learning experience because it showed that if you don’t punish a team with ten men during 90 minutes, then anything can happen.

Australia’s South Africa 2010 campaign begins with a match against Germany. How tough is that going to be?
It’s going to be very difficult. When I was sitting there watching the draw I thought: 'Oh, here we go'. We were in Germany for the last World Cup so it did bring back some memories. We know they’re very disciplined and tactically very strong but, as it's the first game, there's no reason why we can't catch them cold. The most special thing about the group matches in the World Cup is that they are down to just 90 minutes, or 93 minutes, of football. They are sudden-death games and anything can happen. A draw and a win can sometimes get you through the group stage, regardless of whether you win the first game. I’m just excited about it. I think the most important thing for us is to take each game at a time and not get ahead of ourselves.

They say you should never write off the Germans. Why is that?
I think it's because Germany have always been there or thereabouts in every competition they’ve played in. In a lot of competitions they start off slowly but they get stronger as the tournament goes on. I think it's down to their discipline, their formation, their squad, and how thorough they are on and off the pitch. It’s a massive credit to them and their country. But we're aware of that and we'll be just as disciplined.

You’ve been described as Australia’s secret weapon. Why do you think that is?
I think I've got the knack of scoring goals and being in the right place at the right time, but my priority is to work hard and to do a good job for the team. It's great that people say that about me, but I've got to make sure that I keep doing it on a regular basis. It's difficult on the international stage because the game is sometimes slower and a lot of teams can sit behind the ball, so I have to find the knack of scoring from a set-play or getting in behind their defence. You just keep going and don't stop.
The only positive I can take from it is that Italy went on to win the World Cup and we were probably one of their toughest opponents in the competition.
Tim Cahill on Australia's last-gasp loss in the Round of 16 at Germany 2006

You're no longer such a secret, but which of the new generation of Socceroos do you think will shine in South Africa?
Several have a chance in a variety of areas. Dario Vidosic, who is playing for Nuremberg, is very quick. We've got Alex Brosque, who plays in the A-League, who comes in and does well, Nicky Carle too, so there's three names to watch out for!

Finally, you do a lot of work for UNICEF and other charities. What would you like to see come out of the FIFA World Cup being held in South Africa ?
As footballers, we are some of the biggest superstars on the planet. It’s nice to be able to inspire kids to live a better life, to eat right, and to try and go in the right direction. I think if you can change the thought process of one in ten, or even one in 1,000, then you’ve done your job. And if you can use your image to help in the right way then I’m all for it. I’m lucky enough to play with South Africa’s Steven Pienaar at Everton, so I understand a lot about the country. A lot of people are talking about the negatives but every country has its pros and cons. The positive thing is that it’s going to bring a flourish of football to South Africa, and happiness. It’s going to inspire the people who live there, those people who aspire just to see their country hold one of the biggest competitions in the world. That's why I feel so passionately about Australia bidding for the World Cup. If, for that short period of time, it takes kids off the streets and changes their lives as a result, then I’m sure that it’s going to be a success.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1200800/index.html?cid=rssfeed&att=

,own Ghana

I have a feeling we're going to provide a massive upset.

1-0. Calling it here. Demanding a shout of beers from y'all if I'm correct.

.

Kuranyi out of Germany's World Cup squad - coach

Reuters - May 3, 2010

BERLIN, May 3 (Reuters) - Schalke 04 striker Kevin Kuranyi will not be part of Germany's preliminary World Cup squad despite a spectacular Bundesliga season, coach Joachim Loew said on Monday.

Kuranyi, banned for walking out of a World Cup qualifier against Russia in 2008 after being dropped from the squad, has scored a personal best 18 goals for Schalke this season, steering them to a Champions League spot and putting himself in contention for a recall.

"The disciplinary affair in October 2008 did not play a role for me," Germany coach Loew said in a statement.

Loew had said at the time that Kuranyi would never play under him again, but was under mounting pressure in recent months to recall him.

"It would not have posed a problem to give him another chance," Loew said. "But in the discussions among the coaches, we came to the conclusion that we had a different idea of the World Cup squad in terms of tactics and players."

"I told Kevin that today and I think he had a great season and is an outstanding professional," Loew said.

Germany will unveil their preliminary World Cup squad of 30 players on May 6 and Loew will cut it down to 23 by the June 1 deadline.

"I know it was stupid when I walked out of the stadium against Russia at halftime," Kuranyi said on his website (www.kevin-kuranyi.de). "That is why I personally and publicly apologised and this season I gave everything I had."

"Unfortunately it was not enough. But it is the coach's decision and I accept it and respect it."

The 28-year-old, who has won 52 caps and scored 19 goals for Germany, is enjoying his most prolific season yet, scoring a personal best of 18 goals with one match left to play.

In comparison to the Brazil-born striker, Germany strikers Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez have only scored 15 league goals between them this season.

Germany have been drawn in Group D of the June 11-July 11 World Cup in South Africa alongside Serbia, Ghana and Australia.http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/football/news/article/-/7158723/kuranyi-germanys-world-cup-squad-coach

Socceroos' World Cup rivals Germany to pull a selection shock

By staff writers
May 05, 2010

Australia's 2010 FIFA World Cup rivals Germany are poised to hand a shock World Cup call-up to veteran Bayern Munich goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt when they name their squad.

German newspaper Bild has quoted a German Football Federation source as saying Butt, who made the last of his three appearances for his country in 2003, will be named in place of injured No.1 Rene Adler.

Thirty-five-year-old Butt has been in stellar form for Bayern this season with Louis van Gaal's side set to wrap up the Bundesliga title this weekend.

Loew has already said he will name Schalke 04's Manuel Neuer and Werder Bremen's Tim Wiese in his World Cup squad, but Butt is likely to get a recall to claim the third goalkeeping place.

Adler was forced out of World Cup contention on Tuesday when it was revealed he needs a rib operation.

Meanwhile, former Germany coach Franz Beckenbauer said he feels former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann could be another option to claim the third berth, if Loew opts not to take Butt.

"That would be a possibility," said Beckenbauer, who captained Germany to the World Cup in 1974 and coached the team to the 1990 title.

"Lehmann is our most experienced goalkeeper and did well at the last two tournaments in 2006 (at the World Cup) and Euro (2008).

"Loew must decide that if he takes Lehmann to the World Cup, it must be as No.1, you can't leave him on the bench."

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27083714-5019291,00.html

Preliminary Germany squad for the 2010 World Cup
Reuters - May 6, 2010, 10:40 pm

STUTTGART, Germany, May 6 (Reuters) - Germany coach Joachim Loew announced his preliminary 27-man World Cup squad on Thursday. The list will be reduced to 23 players by June 1.

Goalkeepers: Hans-Joerg Butt (Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Schalke 04), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen).

Defenders: Dennis Aogo (Hamburg SV), Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Andreas Beck (Hoffenheim), Jerome Boateng (Hamburg SV) Arne Friedrich (Hertha BSC), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg SV), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Serdar Tasci (VfB Stuttgart), Heiko Westermann (Schalke 04).

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Sami Khedira (VfB Stuttgart), Toni Kroos (Bayer Leverkusen), Marko Marin (Werder Bremen) Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Christian Traesch (VfB Stuttgart), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg SV).

Forwards: Cacau (VfB Stuttgart) Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Stefan Kiesling (Bayer Leverkusen) Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Thomas M

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/football/news/article/-/7186795/preliminary-germany-squad-2010-world-cup