Wenger fancies 'tough' Socceroos

One of the most respected managers in world football has warned Germany not to underestimate Australia in their opening Group D clash at the World Cup on Monday morning.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been linked with a move for Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, and has previously spoken of his admiration for Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill.

Wenger told Channel Nine the Socceroos will not be easybeats in South Africa.

"If I was the national team coach of Germany and I had to play Australia, I wouldn't sleep well," he said.

"Let's say for me it will be 60 (per cent chance for) Germany, 40 Australia.

"I give them a chance against Germany but we'll see. It will be very interesting."

The Socceroos have held a closed training session in Johannesburg just four days ahead of their opening match, and Wenger says they have enough determination to cause an upset.

"Usually they are very tough cookies in the World Cup, Australia," he added.

"Sometimes Germany are slow starters in the big competitions, maybe Australia can take advantage of that because it will make it a very interesting group."

Meanwhile, German great Franz Beckenbauer says his country is capable of winning a fourth World Cup title in South Africa.

Beckenbauer captained Germany to World Cup success on home soil in 1974, and coached the team which won in Italy in 1990.

He says the current German side is in good form heading into its opening match against the Socceroos.

"They are playing well, I saw them recently, a couple of games, exhibition games before the World Cup," he said.

"They are very well organised, excellent moving. The Germans are always, if they get to a tournament like the World Cup, bringing the best performance.

"You can see it in their body-language and in the warm-up games, the Germans are enjoying their football and it is a good sign.

"I hope we can at least reach the semi-finals. Of course, you need a little bit of luck and not just skill."

Under Dutch coach Pim Verbeek, Australia is expected to give Germany a hard test when the two sides begin their World Cup campaign in Durban.

"They are incredibly well-organised on the pitch and their defence is almost perfect," said coach Joachim Loew.

"They are also incredibly powerful, it will be hard to beat them."

But Loew insists Germany will not be playing for the draw.

"The target is to win. We want to be proactive and play an attacking game," he said.

- ABC/AFP

Sometimes Germany are slow starters in the big competitions, maybe Australia can take advantage of that because it will make it a very interesting group.