Weakened Germany are not unbeatable

The Socceroos can beat Germany. Not by playing like they did against the USA, of course, but by parking the bus and hoping for a lucky goal to get them home at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

I say that as neither a blind optimist, nor a crotchety pessismist – but simply as one of the millions of Australians who have come to the fairly obvious realisation that while the Socceroos are mildly adept at defending, they’re largely inept at the other end.

And while Germany dribbler Marko Marin expects Australia to “sit back and defend” in their World Cup opener against ‘die Mannschaft,’ it’s worth considering that – on paper, at least – Germany are also going into the tournament with one of their weakest World Cup squads in recent history.

Injuries are partly responsible: in the past few weeks, coach Joachim Löw has lost first-choice goalkeeper Rene Adler, defender Heiko Westermann, midfielders Christian Träsch and Simon Rolfes, and of course the big one, captain and talisman Michael Ballack.

The tragic death of goalkeeper Robert Enke, who took his own life last November, has also rocked the German national team.

Bayer Leverkusen shot-stopper Rene Adler was eventually designated the new number one, but such was his alarming dip in form towards the end of the Bundesliga season, there were sighs of relief from some German fans when the young custodian was subsequently ruled out.

The problem for coach Löw is that his three nominated goalkeepers now have a total of just 10 caps between them, and that’s with the inclusion of 36-year-old veteran Hans-Jörg Butt – who started last season as Bayern Munich’s second-choice.

Thus Germany will go into the tournament with Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer between the posts, and while the 24-year-old is a highly-rated shot-stopper, his ability to command the penalty area is questionable.

Considering that for years Germany called upon the imposing Oliver Kahn to marshal their six-yard box, and later replaced him with the utterly eccentric Jens Lehmann, it remains to be seen just how much of a presence Neuer commands in the German goal.

Ordinarily that wouldn’t be a major problem, but for the fact that Germany’s back four is still not settled, even if the towering Per Mertesacker will invariably be partnered by old-timer Arne Friedrich in central defence.

It’s on the flanks where questions remain, with captain Philipp Lahm capable of playing on either side, leaving Marcell Jansen, Holger Badstuber and Jerome Boateng to fight it out for the remaining starting place, presuming Dennis Aogo doesn’t nab it instead!

But if there are questions of the defence, they’re nothing compared to the discontent rumbling through the German media over the strike partnership of Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose.

Both have been loyal servants for years, however Klose is drastically out of form and after Cacau sparkled off the bench in Germany’s final friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, many are calling for the Brazilian-born front man to replace the misfiring ‘Miro’ in attack.

One wonders if Jögi Löw’s decision to leave Kevin Kuranyi out of his squad for disciplinary reasons may ultimately come back to haunt him, with the Podolski-Klose combination struggling for form at the worst possible time.

But the problem for Pim Verbeek and his side is this: even allowing for all of Germany’s personnel problems, the European heavyweights are still an incredibly formidable opponent.

Löw’s steadfast refusal to select the free-scoring Kuranyi is precisely what makes the German team so strong – it’s an outfit built around team-work, where players are expected to put the system before their own egos.

And when that system clicks into gear – as it usually does just at the start of every single World Cup – it can do so with devastating effect.

So park the bus, Pim, and keep working on those set pieces.

Weakened or not, let’s respect Germany without fearing them, and start crossing our fingers that Josh Kennedy’s shin is ready to do some damage.


http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/06/07/weakened-germany-are-not-unbeatable/

1-1

Same lineup as Joffa.
Same subs as Joffa.

Ozil to score early for Germany, and Chippers to knock one in from 30 yards in the 84th.

If Pim doesn't go with Garcia he might play Valeri as DM and push Culina forward or he could start Vidosic although I don't think Pim would do that.

Germany put faith in new generation
10/06/2010 13:30

The theory in Germany goes that the loss of Michael Ballack could actually work in their favour, giving an outstanding crop of fresh-faced, fleet-footed players a chance to flourish at this World Cup.

The task for Serbia, Australia and Ghana heading into Group D is to show that up as wishful thinking, and prove the World Cup is no place to pin your faith on novices and a striker who managed three league goals all season.

Ghana's problem is that they have suffered a big loss of their own, with Michael Essien ruled out with an injury he suffered on African Nations Cup duty.

The Black Stars, beaten in the last 16 four years ago, had been tipped as Germany's big rivals for top spot, a vital target given the runners-up could face England in the second round, but without Essien their hopes have taken a huge body blow.

Their preparations were further disrupted when they changed base camp to Sun City on Wednesday after two nights in a Pretoria hotel, citing technical issues.

Unpredictable Serbia, playing in their first tournament as an independent nation and with a deep squad of technically gifted players, should still prove dangerous rivals while Australia, unlucky to lose to Italy in the last 16 four years ago, are back with a point to prove.

Adding a certain fratricidal spice to the group is the fact that Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac is himself a Serb, making the clash between the two teams on June 13 in Pretoria a deliciously unpredictable way to start the group.

FITNESS BOOST

Australia, Germany's first opponents in Durban later the same day, have been boosted by some welcome injury news for a change, with midfielder and chief goal threat Tim Cahill given the all-clear from a neck injury and Harry Kewell back training.

Germany, three times World Cup winners, are clearly the favourites to win the group but a lot will depend on how their less experienced players take to the loftiest of stages.

Coach Joachim Loew, who was Juergen Klinsmann's assistant when they reached the semi-finals on home soil four years ago, will likely go into that first game with five players boasting 10 or fewer appearances each.

That is doubtless why the coach is ready to keep faith with Miroslav Klose up front despite a desperately disappointing season with Bayern Munich.

Klose, who turned 32 on Wednesday, scored five goals at each of the last two World Cups and has a habit of starting with a bang.

The newcomers for Germany include players of real promise, including midfielders Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil and a natural finisher in Thomas Mueller, but Loew knows his squad, in the absence of Ballack, is still a work in progress.

"This is a young team and some players will need to lift themselves out of the shadows," Loew told reporters. "Maybe this team will peak in a few years. It has not yet reached it yet."

After the Australia game, Germany face Serbia on June 18 in Port Elizabeth before meeting Ghana at high altitude in Johannesburg on June 23.

In the other matches Australia play Ghana in Rustenburg on June 19 and Serbia in their final group game on June 23 in Nelspruit.

http://www.supersport.com/football/2010-world-cup/news/100610/Germany_put_faith_in_new_generation

Tim Cahill hopeful that Australia can beat Germany

Australia and Everton midfielder Tim Cahill is hopeful his side can get a positive result from their World Cup opener against Germany on Sunday.

The Socceroos take on the Germans in Durban before meeting Ghana and Serbia in their other Group D fixtures.

"It'll be a hard game," Cahill told BBC Radio Merseyside. "We know they're very tactical, compact and strong.

"But they are slow starters in competitions they play, so hopefully we can catch them cold."

The 30-year-old added: "We have a lot of respect for them as a nation and as a country but we're going out there to do as well as we can.

"We know how strong they are as a team but we'll concentrate on our strengths and try to break them down slowly."

Cahill is making his second appearance at a World Cup finals after starting all four of Australia's games at the 2006 tournament in Germany.

The Socceroos progressed to the second round before being beaten 1-0 by eventual winners Italy courtesy of Francesco Totti's last-minute penalty.

"In the last World Cup the nation stopped," added Cahill. "I don't think there has been a bigger event in Australia since that.

"Now the sport is were it should be, up there fighting with the best codes in Australia, if not being one of the leading codes.

"For me it's an honour and a privilege to play for Australia, but to fly the flag for football in Australia for the kids and the people who have been dying for ages [to see this] is a massive thing for us.

"My first expectation this time would be to get through the group. After that, like we saw in Germany in 2006, anything can happen.

"At international level, everyone is starting on level par. For me, I'd like to get through the group and hopefully make a few surprises."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8735008.stm

Germany v Australia
Reuters - June 12, 2010, 2:02 pm

JOHANNESBURG, June 12 (Reuters) - Germany play Australia in their opening Group D match of the World Cup on Sunday.

Where: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban

Capacity: 69,000

When: Sunday June 13, 2030 local (1830 GMT)

Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Mexico)

World ranking: Germany 6, Australia 20

Teams: Likely formation, shirt numbers, age, caps, goals:

Germany (4-3-3) Australia (4-5-1) 1-Manuel Neuer 24-5-0 1-Mark Schwarzer 37-75-0 3-Arne Friedrich 31-72-0 2-Lucas Neill 32-56-0 17-Per Mertesacker 25-62-1 3-Craig Moore 34-50-3 16-Philipp Lahm 26-65-4 11-Scott Chipperfield 34-65-1 14-Holger Badstuber 21-2-0 8-Luke Wilkshire 28-42-2 6-Sami Khedira 23-5-0 23-Mark Bresciano 30-55-11 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger 25-74-21 5-Jason Culina 29-48-1 8-Mesut Ozil 21-10-1 13-Vince Grella 30-45-0 13-Thomas Mueller 20-2-0 7-Brett Emerton 31-72-17 10-Lukas Podolski 25-73-38 4-Tim Cahill 30-40-20 11-Miroslav Klose 32-96-48 9-Josh Kennedy 27-19-7

Also available: 12-Tim Wiese 28-2-0 2-Adam Federici 25-1-0 22-Hans-Joerg Butt 36-3-0 21-David Carney 26-25-3 20-Jerome Boateng 21-5-0 20-Mark Milligan 24-10-1 5-Serdar Tasci 23-12-0 6-Michael Beauchamp 29-21-1 2-Marcell Jansen 24-31-2 10-Harry Kewell 31-45-13 4-Dennis Aogo 23-2-0 14-Brett Holman 26-31-2 18-Toni Kroos 20-4-0 16-Carl Valeri 25-22-0 21-Marko Marin 21-9-1 15-Mile Jedinak 25-11-1 15-Piotr Trochowski 26-31-2 19-Richard Garcia 28-7-0 23-Mario Gomez 24-34-12 22-Dario Vidosic 23-7-1 9-Stefan Kiessling 26-4-0 17-Nikita Rukavytsya 22-4-0 19-Cacau 29-8-3 18-Eugene Galekovic 29-4-0

Trainer - Joachim Loew Pim Verbeek

Injured - None None

Suspended - None None

Changes

* Germany coach Joachim Loew must decide on his final defensive formation with Holger Badstuber the main candidate for the left back position.


The coach is likely to trust out-of-form striker Miroslav Klose with a starting role despite Cacau's fine form.

Loew will probably opt for 20-year-old Thomas Mueller on the right wing instead of Piotr Trochowski.

* Australian coach Pim Verbeek is unlikely to include Harry Kewell in the starting line-up as he is short of match practice despite the winger recovering from a groin injury.


Key stats: * Captain Philipp Lahm, 26, who took over the role from injured Michael Ballack, is set to become the youngest captain to lead Germany in a World Cup match.

* This will be Loew's first World Cup match in charge of the team after taking over in 2006. He has World Cup experience though, having been Juergen Klinsmann's assistant at the 2006 finals.


* Australia, competing in their third World Cup, will play their first finals match on non-German soil after reaching the finals hosted by the European nation in 1974 and 2006.


* Australia qualified for this year's tournament via Asia qualifying after reaching the 1974 and 2006 editions through Oceania.


Previous meetings:

18.06.74 Hamburg West Germany 3 Australia 0

15.06.05 Frankfurt Germany 4 Australia 3

GROUP D STANDINGS:

P W D L F A PTS

Germany 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Australia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Serbia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Ghana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Next fixtures

June 13 Serbia v Ghana, Pretoria 1400 GMT

June 18 Germany v Serbia, Port Elizabeth 1130 GMT

June 19 Ghana v Australia, Rustenburg 1400 GMT

June 23 Ghana v Germany, Soccer City 1830 GMT Australia v Serbia, Nelspruit 1830 GMT

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/football/news/article/-/7388454/germany-v-australia

Australia at full strength for Germany
June 12, 2010

By Soccernet staff

Pim Verbeek will have a full-strength squad to select from when Australia take on Germany in Sunday's Group D opener in Durban.

Australia are hoping to emulate their success in 2006 when they qualified from their group
GettyImagesAustralia are hoping to emulate their success in 2006 when they qualified from their group

Talisman Tim Cahill, star attacker Harry Kewell and midfield workhorse Brett Emerton have all recovered from their various ailments and Verbeek's only remaining headache is how best to utilise his underdone players, be it from the start or on the bench.

Kewell has barely kicked a ball in anger in 2010 after suffering an ongoing groin injury and he won't be expected to get through 90 minutes against Germany, while stamina-machine Emerton had declared himself fit to play the whole match if selected despite also lacking game time recently.

Cahill suffered a minor neck injury in Australia's final warm-up match against United States but the goal-sneak is again ready to put his head on the end of some crosses as he has so often done for club side Everton and country previously.

With all players ready to go, Verbeek's starting XI just about picks itself. His only decision surrounds his sole striker in his 4-2-3-1 formation, where Kewell or towering target man Josh Kennedy could start. If Kewell starts the match, Verbeek could swap him with Kennedy if Australia needs to push forward late on, while lightning youngster Nikita Rukavytsya could be the alternative as a counterattacking weapon if it's the Germans who need to score.

If Kennedy starts the match, Kewell could be introduced when the game has slowed down or saved completely for the more winnable matches against Ghana and Serbia should circumstances allow.

Kewell said his preference would be to play a major part, but that the uncertainty over selection - a familiar feeling in an injury-riddled career - would not bother him.

Kewell said: "I have had it for four or five years now, the speculation is nothing new to me. I'm not the only player to struggle through injuries. All players go through it. I've just got to get on with it."

Emerton, who is known for his powers of recovery, said he was determined to make up for lost time after missing out on Australia's three preparation matches: It's obviously not ideal. I would have liked to have been involved in all the training sessions, but in the last few days I've felt good."

Meanwhile, Australia formally replaced goalkeeper Brad Jones with training squad member Eugene Galekovic in their World Cup squad after the former was forced to return home to be with his sick son last week.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/795366/ce/uk/?cc=3436&ver=global

Miserly Germans to keep it clean

Germany v Australia, Durban 1930 BST

German World Cup hopes received a blow with captain Michael Ballack ruled out of the tournament but Joachim Low's youthful side still look capable of playing a major role in South Africa.

They have a balanced set-up with no real standout stars in their ranks but as has been proved in years gone by, that suits the Germans right down to the ground.

Anything they achieve has always been as a collective unit and although Low stil has some head scratching to do in terms of who he will play in attack, you get the feeling once again that they are nation who will be tough to shift from the competition.

Opening opponents Australia don't lack for much in the confidence stakes and their effort back in 2006 which saw them progress to the second round suggests at their best they could have say in the outcome of this group.

But the worry they have for their 2010 debut is that key creative personnnel like Harry Kewell, Mark Bresciano and Tim Cahill have all been in the wars of late.

All three should be fit to start but may not be quite 100 percent - and that is not an ideal situation against a typically miserly German rearguard.

Statistically in the 2006 finals, their defence had the best central partnership and that looks like an area punters can exploit in this fixture.

Low has quality in midfield and up front but it all builds from a solid foundation at that back which is compact and keeps a high line.

Cahill has been pinpointed as the dangerman but he is sure to be in for a physical night particulalrly if the neck problem he suffered in the recent 3-1 loss to the USA is not back to normal.

Seven of Germany's 10 qualifying games saw them keep a clean sheet and a similar outcome here at 10/11 with bet365 is the way to go.http://www.football365.co.za/story/0,22162,14287_6202536,00.html

Germany's moment of truth has arrived - Bierhoff
Reuters - June 12, 2010, 9:21 pm

PRETORIA, June 12 (Reuters) - Germany have impressed in their World Cup preparations but the time has now come to live up to their own expectations, team manager Oliver Bierhoff said on Saturday.

Labelled by captain Philipp Lahm on Friday as the best Germany side in at least the last six years, the team must prove their worth in their Group D opener against defence-minded Australia on Sunday.

"Philipp wanted to express his confidence and trust to his team mates. We have great potential with this squad but now is the moment of truth," Bierhoff told reporters before the team boarded a plane bound for Durban.

"Yesterday's World Cup opener between South Africa and Mexico was the starting shot and now it gets serious."

Germany saw five key players drop out of the squad with injuries before travelling to South Africa, but coach Joachim Loew refused to call up any other players, putting his trust in the country's youngest World Cup squad in 76 years.

Having breezed past Hungary and Bosnia in their last warm-up matches, Germany showed they were in good form but were hardly tested against the weaker sides.

With a backbone of players who won the European under 21 title last year, the current team has never played together on the big stage, has never had to come back from a goal down in a competitive match and has not experienced the atmosphere of a sold-out World Cup venue.

"We saw in our friendly match against Bosnia that a lot of the things worked well. The advantage is that many players know each other and have played together since the youth teams," said Bierhoff.

"But there is no time to find your groove. We have to peak against Australia."

Bierhoff also brushed aside comments by Australian players that 24-year-old Germany starting goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was the team's weak link.

With only five caps to his name, Neuer, who replaced injured Rene Adler, may be inexperienced but shows no signs of nerves, said the former Germany striker.

"We are convinced of his qualities because Manuel is a fantastic keeper. He is not nervous at all but very focused.

"He knows this is an important tournament but he has not lost his smile," said Bierhoff.


http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/football/news/article/-/7389338/germanys-moment-truth-arrived-bierhoff

World Cup Preview: Germany – Australia
The Group D Rivals look to start their World Cup adventure on a high note…
By Clark Whitney
Jun 12, 2010 10:43:00 AM


Loew Confident Of Germany Potential

In arguably the keynote match on Sunday, Germany and Australia face off in a tricky game that could decide the course of events in Group D.

For Germany, the match is a must-win. Joachim Loew’s side can only enter this weekend’s fixture assuming Serbia will beat Australia in the final group match. In order to avoid having to beat Serbia to win the group, the Germans will have to dispatch Australia, and preferably by a comfortable margin.

Fortunately for Loew, his men are well prepared. Having scored three goals in warm-up victories over Malta, Hungary, and Bosnia-Herzgovina, the Germans are rapidly reaching top form.

“We have done everything we can. We can’t do anything more,” Loew acknowledged in a recent press conference. “I have a calm conscious and a good feeling about my team.”

Loew’s sentiments have not entirely been echoed by the German press, who have repeatedly criticised the gaffer for selecting players based on reputation rather than form.

At the centre of the debate is striker Miroslav Klose, who turned 32 on Wednesday, and spent much of the 2009-10 campaign warming the bench at Bayern Munich. Despite Cacau’s impressive form during the friendies, Loew is prepared to start Klose, who was anonymous during his time on the pitch.

“You could see in training that Miro feels a lot better. Sometimes when people do more training on the side, the legs get a bit tired,” Loew said of the striker who scored a combined 10 goals in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

“But [on Tuesday] I saw that he is slowly finding his form and his physical freshness. And he needs that in his game.”

Loew’s faith in Klose is not unconditional, of course, so the Australia match will be extra important for the former Werder Bremen hitman as he begins his final World Cup campaign.

Having placed second in 2002, third in 2006, and second at Euro 2008, the Germans will be keen to kick off their 2010 programme in good form.


Socceroos Targeting Knockout Rounds

For Australia, the opening match may not be a “must-win,” but is at least a “must-draw” scenario. If the Aussies can get a point against their highly rated opponents, Serbia and Ghana will be pressured to match that result, a tall task that will only become harder if the Germans drop points in their first encounter.

Coach Pim Verbeek’s men found the warm-up friendlies to be a mixed bag. After beating New Zealand and Denmark in their first two fixtures, the Socceroos suffered a disappointing 3-1 loss to the United States.

Group D may be no cakewalk, but if recent history is any indicator, Australia are more than capable of advancing to the knockout rounds. Just four years ago, coach Guus Hiddink led the Aussies out of a group containing Brazil, Croatia, and Japan before bowing out to Italy in the Round of 16.

While Verbeek’s current first XI is almost the same as that which featured in the previous World Cup, his tactics differ significantly from those of Hiddink. The Rotterdam native prefers to line up his squad in a 4-2-3-1 shape, a far more pragmatic approach than his compatriot’s 3-3-3-1.

Coming off his team’s disappointing loss to the United States, Verbeek has a selection headache. Regular first-team starters Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton have declared themselves fit to face Germany, but are lacking match practice following injury layoffs. It won’t be an easy decision, but Verbeek will have to decide whether to retain his previous line-up or roll the dice by using his best first XI while risking further injuries.

Sunday’s match will be a struggle, but not long ago, the Aussies kept a clean sheet against an illustrious, attacking Netherlands side. A similar result against Germany would suit Verbeek’s men quite well.

FORM GUIDE

Germany

3 June v Bosnia-Herzegovina (H) WON 3-1 (Friendly)
29 May v Hungary (A) WON 3-0 (Friendly)
13 May v Malta (H) WON 3-0 (Friendly)
3 Mar v Argentina (H) LOST 1-0 (Friendly)
18 Nov v Ivory Coast (H) DREW 2-2 (Friendly)

Australia

5 June v United States (A) LOST 3-1 (Friendly)
1 June v Denmark (H) WON 1-0 (Friendly)
24 May v New Zealand (H) WON 2-1 (Friendly)
3 Mar v Indonesia (H) WON 1-0 (AFC Asian Cup Qualifier)
10 Oct v Netherlands (H) DREW 0-0 (Friendly)

TEAM NEWS

Germany

Loew is likely to select the same starting XI that featured against Bosnia-Herzegovina, with out-of-form trio Lukas Podolski, Piotr Trochowski, and Miroslav Klose in attacking positions, along with Mesut Ozil. Notably, Holger Badstuber should retain his starting role at left-back, with Arne Friedrich partnering Per Mertesacker in central defence and captain Philipp Lahm on the right. The backfour will receive support from central midfield duo Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira.

Striker Cacau and versatile attackers Marko Marin and Thomas Mueller will be among the substitutes to look out for. Each impressed in the recent friendlies, but barring late injury reports, none of the above will start on Sunday. Expect the fringe trio to make an impression as second half substitutes.

Probable Starting XI: Neuer – Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Badstuber – Khedira, Schweinsteiger – Trochowski, Ozil, Podolski – Klose

Australia

Good news emerged from the Australia camp this week as Tim Cahill, Brett Emerton, and Harry Kewell were all deemed fit to play in Sunday’s opener. Whether or not Verbeek decides to start any or all of the fit-again trio is yet to be determined. While Cahill is likely to start, Emerton and Kewell have not played in recent weeks, and may be replaced by Richard Garcia and Joshua Kennedy, respectively.

On Friday, Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones announced his withdrawal from Verbeek’s squad, citing personal reasons. Eugene Alekovic has been called up as his replacement, and will play as his team’s third-choice goalkeeper.

Probable Starting XI: Schwarzer – Wilkshire, Moore, Neill, Chipperfield – Culina, Grella – Garcia, Cahill, Bresciano – Kennedy

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cacau (Germany)

The Stuttgart striker was vastly superior to Klose in Germany’s recent friendlies, but is set to be snubbed. If Klose fails to make any impact in the first half, expect Cacau to come on as a substitute and breathe life into the German attack. In 180 minutes of play over his last three international outings, the Brazil native scored three goals and provided an assist, but his impact was far greater than even his goalscoring record. With tenacious defending and subtle creativity, Cacau added a new dimension to the German team. If given the chance against Australia, he’ll surely do the same.

Tim Cahill (Australia)

There were few bright signs from Australia during the United States match, but Cahill was one of them. The Everton attacking midfielder scored his team’s only goal, and looked threatening throughout the contest. His movement will play a vital role in taking pressure off the Australian defence. With any luck, the 2006 Ballon d’Or nominee just might be able to slip behind the German central midfielders, both of whom have forward-going tendencies.

PREDICTION

Make no mistake: despite the odds being heavily in favour of the Germans, Australia will be no pushovers. It’s the first match of the group stage, and anything can happen. With that being said, Germany should have the edge based on form and class.

The three-time World Cup winners comfortably dispatched their opponents in recent friendlies, and should be able to get three points against an Australia side that have struggled to create goals. Castrol’s World Cup predictor tips the Germans with a 47% chance of winning, almost double that of Australia’s 24%. With all things considered, a 2-0 score appears most probable.

Germany 2-0 Australia
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/06/12/1972082/world-cup-preview-germany-australia

Emerton set to start against Germany

* by Marco Monteverde in Durban
* From: News Limited newspapers
* June 12, 2010 7:32PM

SOCCEROOS coach Pim Verbeek has had second thoughts about using Jason Culina in an attacking midfield role tomorrow morning against Germany, with Brett Emerton understood to have won his fitness battle to start the Group D clash in Durban.

There had been speculation that Culina, who normally plays alongside Vince Grella in front of the back four, would be shifted into a more attacking role on the right.

However, it now seems Culina will start in his regular holding midfied role, with Emerton to occupy his usual right midfield position after proving he had overcome a calf problem that had prevented him from playing in any of Australia's warm-up matches.

Who starts alongisde Culina remains a mystery, with Carl Valeri believed to be putting pressure on Grella, who has struggled for form in friendlies against New Zealand, Denmark and the USA.

But Grella should still have the inside running, despite the claims of Valeri, who has impressed when given chance off the bench by Verbeek.

Verbeek is yet to commit to his final XI, having tested several combinations on the training paddock this week. The Dutchman is expected to leave his decision as late as possible.

Hull City's Richard Garcia started on the right in this month's friendlies against Denmark and the USA at Roodepoort Athletics Stadium after recovering from a knee injury.

"All the boys have been working hard," Valeri said. "Everyone deserves to play. We've really made Pim's job hard and that's a good thing."

Valeri described the match against Germany as a "final", and re-iterated the common line of the past week that the Socceroos would be thrilled to open their World Cup finals campaign with a draw.

Germany captain Philipp Lahm, elevated to the leadership role following the loss of Michael Ballack for the entire tournament with an ankle injury, described his side as "technically superior" to the Socceroos.

"But we will have to be careful because they are good on the counter-attack and strong in the air," Lahm said.

Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer stressed "all the pressure" was on Germany.

"Germany are a top 10 team in the world, the expectations on them are huge," Schwarzer said.

He said it was essential Australia's back four of Luke Wilkshire, Lucas Neill, Craig Moore and Scott Chipperfield stayed strong for the 90 minutes.

"Now is when the real test begins. Hopefully we'll stand the test and hopefully we'll stay solid at the back, which we need to be so that we can give ourselves every chance to win games."

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/world-cup-2010/emerton-set-to-start-against-germany/story-fn4l5n4r-1225878879072

Young German side out to rock ageing Aussies

DURBAN (Reuters) -- The great weight of German expectation will slam headlong into a wall of Australian defensive grit and muscle when the spectacular new Moses Mabhida stadium hosts its first World Cup match on Sunday.

Germany's World Cup pedigree -- three titles, four-times losing finalists and three third places -- demands success of Joachim Loew's team regardless of injury problems and stuttering strikers.

Deprived by injury of captain Michael Ballack and four other players, Germany's youngest tournament squad for three quarters of a century could have hoped for an easier Group D opener (1830) than to face a hugely experienced Australia side.

"They have an unbelievable passion, unbelievable organisation and a near-perfect defensive structure," Loew said of the Australians.

"It is a very tough first match but our players will be confident and we want to win that match."

Loew is likely to stick with Miroslav Klose as his sole striker, hoping he can rediscover the scoring form noticeably absent for Bayern Munich this season but which made him the tournament's top scorer four years ago on home soil.

The 32-year-old will be looking for support from three attacking midfielders, including Lukas Podolski on the left wing, to help him unpick the Australia defence.

"We have to find the gaps," Podolski told reporters. "We have to play from the wings. Going through the middle will be very tough."

Australia's Dutch coach Pim Verbeek has midfield goalscoring threat Tim Cahill and his most talented attacker, Harry Kewell, fit again after injury.

Kewell has not played in any of their warm-up matches, however, so is unlikely to start for the Socceroos with Josh Kennedy set to retain the role of lone striker.

It was organisation and strong defence, however, that got Australia through to the knockout stage in Germany four years ago, where they were unlucky to lose to eventual champions Italy.

"I think the same thing for every team coming into the World Cup is you have to be defensively compact first before you go off and try win the game," Cahill said. "It is a massive compliment for us to be as compact as we are."

While Germany are eager to seal their qualification into the next round before their final match against Ghana at higher altitude in Johannesburg, Verbeek has a more patient strategy.

"As I have always said, the group will be won in the last two games," he said.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/world-cup-2010/06/12/germany.australia/index.html#ixzz0qdpLtSTq

an Germany Prove the Doubters Wrong?

As far as pre-World Cup preparation goes, there are not many nations to have suffered as much as the Germans. In the lead up to the South African festivities, Joachim Loew’s provisional 27-man squad was whittled down to 24 purely by injuries. Captain and talisman Michael Ballack was famously the first to go in the FA Cup final. A few days later, one of his potential replacements, Christian Traesch bit the dust too in a warm-up game in South Tirol. Then it was the turn of the versatile Heiko Westermann, another candidate for what the Germans call the ‘No.6’ position, struck down in a friendly against Hungary.

With the provisional squad now down to 24, Loew only had to drop one player (Hoffenheim right-back Andreas Beck) before naming his final squad. Privately, Loew may have been a little thankful that so many important decisions were taken out of his hands. But, for a national team that places so much emphasis on pre-tournament preparation, it was hardly ideal, especially taking into account that the number one goalkeeper Rene Adler, and yet another defensive midfielder Simon Rolfes, were ruled out through injury during the course of the Bundesliga season.

These injury problems left a number of unanswered questions. Who would be the new no.1 goalkeeper? Who would take the captain’s armband? Who would replace Ballack in midfield? Loew’s answer was to turn to youth. Manuel Neuer (24) has been anointed as 1st choice keeper. Sami Khedira (23) will take up residence in central midfield and Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger (26, 25) will be captain and vice-captain respectively.

Lahm and Schweini - captain and vice-captain

In keeping with this theme of youth, Lahm is Germany’s youngest ever captain, and he’ll be captaining Germany’s youngest World Cup squad since 1934. The quality coming out of Germany’s youth ranks has been mentioned before on this site, and is surely not in question. However, a turn towards youth is a turn away from experience, and there certainly does seem relatively little in this squad. 13 members of the squad will be playing their first ever tournament and 12 of the 23-man party have less than 10 caps to their names.

Questions also remain over Germany’s starting line-up, with left-back, right-wing and centre-forward spots still uncertain. In the last friendly (a convincing 3-1 win at home to Bosnia) they were occupied by Holger Badstuber, Piotr Trochowski and Miro Klose. With the latter two out of form, there has been a strong clamour for them to be replaced by Thomas Mueller and ‘Helmut’ Cacau. The likes of Klose and Podolski will have a lot of work to do to justify their places after poor domestic campaigns this season. At the other end of the pitch, senior centre-back Per Mertesacker has been suffering from frequent concentration lapses.

Cacau - Currently Germany's most in-form striker

Doubts also persist over the balance of Loew’s final squad. If Khedira or Schweinsteiger get injured, the next apparent candidate for the ‘No. 6’ is Hamburg’s Dennis Aogo, a left-back by trade. And is there really any need to bring 6 forwards (Cacau, Klose, Podolski, Gomez, Kiessling, Mueller) to a 4-week tournament.

Of course, World Cup history has taught us that nobody proves doubters wrong quite like the Germans. They have got it down to a form of fine art. Their World Cup final victories in 1954 and 1974 came against highly fancied and world renowned sides: ‘The Magnificent Magyars’ of Puskas and Hidegkuti in 1954 and Michels’ and Cruyff’s masters of Total Football in 1974. In 2002 a relatively poor German team made it all the way to the final. Germany’s progress to the final in 1986 famously had coach Franz Beckenbauer in fits of laughter: ‘can you believe we got to the final with these players??’

Germany win the World Cup in 1954

Perhaps it is this sense of history that has given the ‘Nationalmannschaft’ belief this time around.

Both manager and captain are bullish despite the apparent problems. The increasingly influential Lahm claims this is the best ever national squad he has worked with. Whilst Loew, who needs a good tournament to strengthen his future position, has been talking of ‘not just beating teams with traditional German virtues like running and battling. We want to dominate and outplay our opponents.’ This attitude was certainly reflected in Germany’s victorious performance against Bosnia.

Whether such confidence is misplaced or not remains to be seen but, if history has taught us anything, it is not to bet against the Germans.

http://www.worldfootballcolumns.com/2010/06/12/can-germany-prove-the-doubters-wrong/

Moment of truth fast approaching
The 2010 World Cup finals get under way for Germany with their Group D opener against Australia on Sunday evening, and at this stage the kick-off can't come soon enough for players and support staff alike.


"All 23 players are fit, you'll bump into the odd physio in the corridor who doesn't know what to do with himself. That's pretty unusual, but it also speaks volumes for the good training schedule”, team manager Oliver Bierhoff said at a press conference outside Pretoria on Saturday morning, ahead of the squad's departure for Durban on the east coast.

Bierhoff and Löw confident

Referring to a comment by tournament skipper Philipp Lahm that this was the best Germany side he had ever played for, Bierhoff said, "That's quite a statement. Now the team have to show against Australia that he's right.” The Euro 1996 matchwinner is himself confident they are up to the task, pointing to the fact that many of the current team have already played together successfully for their country at junior level, as well as the signs of their increasing fluency in last week's warm-up against against Bosnia-Herzegovina. "Now though they have to produce the goods when it matters. And they have the class to do that against Australia”

Coach Joachim Löw is equally upbeat ahead of his first game in charge at a World Cup finals, saying, "I have a good feeling and I'm optimistic.” As to the team he will send out to kick-start Germany's bid for a fourth world title to add to those won in 1954, 1974 and 1990, Löw is still keeping pretty tight-lipped, explaining that he wants to take a last look at the players in training on Saturday evening before finalising his selection.

Klose up front?

Most of the speculation is focused on whether there will be a place at the back for FC Bayern youngster Holger Badstuber, whether his clubmate Thomas Müller or Hamburg's Piotr Trochowski will win a berth on the right side of midfield, and perhaps above all whether Löw will keep faith with the experienced but off-form Miroslav Klose up front.

Regardless of who gets the call-up, Bierhoff has been at pains to stress that the mood among the players is both team-spirited and competitive. After all the preparations, says the manager, "everybody just wants to get involved in the tournament... everyone knows now what's at stake here.”

Probable Germany line-up:

Neuer - Lahm, Mertesacker, Friedrich, Badstuber – Khedira, Schweinsteiger - Trochowski or Müller, Özil, Podolski - Klose

http://www.bundesliga.de/en/liga/news/2009/index.php?f=0000155619.php

History lesson has a hint of truth
June 13, 2010

Germans turn to the past as world looks forward to Socceroos clash, writes Michael Lynch in Durban.

ONE German wit quipped during a lengthy press conference last week that ''whoever beats Australia wins the World Cup, don't they?''

Perhaps it was said more in hope than expectation, given that the two countries clash today in Durban (4.30am Monday AEST), but at least he was statistically right.

Back in 1974, West Germany beat the Socceroos 3-0 in the group phase and went on to win the World Cup they hosted, although that collection of motley Aussie adventurers, migrants and refugees who had taken their adopted country into the World Cup finals for the first time were a vastly different challenge than the hard-nosed professionals Germany will encounter this time. And then, memorably and heartbreakingly, in Kaiserslautern four years ago Italy triumphed with that last-gasp penalty in the round of 16 to progress to the quarter-finals, and ultimately a penalty shoot out victory in the final over France.

The fact that East Germany (in 1974) and Brazil (2006) also defeated the Socceroos is beside the point - at least as far as that hopeful German journalist was concerned.

Today's clash between the two sides is only the third time the countries have met. There was a 31-year gap between that 1974 encounter and the next one, in Germany in 2005 when the hosts won 4-3 in a memorable match at the Confederations Cup.

Tonight's match is unlikely to deliver anything like that kind of helter-skelter excitement. World Cup opening matches are invariably tense, tight affairs in which it is more important not to lose than necessarily to win.

For Australia, that is definitely the case. Opinions are divided as to when is the best time to take on the Germans; early, like now, when they might not have quite gotten into the groove, or in the final match, when they may have already qualified and are prepared to rest key players for the knockout stage. The truth is, there is no easy time. Germany have a marvellous World Cup record, having won the tournament three times and are always a threat. This is a German team in transition, but it is chock full of exciting youngsters who will carry the torch for German football for the next one or two World Cups.

It is a game in which Australia are likely to set their stall out to contain the German attack, with the Germans looking to get out wide and exploit the Australian fullbacks before aiming crosses on to the head of Miroslav Klose. It could be a tough shift for Lucas Neill and Craig Moore at the heart of the Australian rearguard. At the other end, the Socceroos will look to Tim Cahill to provide inspiration. Harry Kewell will be a valuable weapon although it is uncertain whether he will start.

GERMANY STRENGTHS
While they are intangibles, history and tradition play a significant role sometimes. There is a belief in German teams that few other countries possess. Germany have triumphed against the odds so often that their national team often achieves what seems beyond them because of that sense of destiny. Other, more obvious strengths are the new generation of talented attacking players such as Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Marko Marin, and the experience of players like Miroslav Klose, Bastian Schweinsteiger and defenders Arne Friedrich, Philipp Lahm and Per Mertesacker.

WEAKNESSES
Have lost a number of important players in the build-up to this World Cup, none more so than inspirational captain Michael Ballack, injured in the FA Cup final in which he played for Chelsea. Young players may not have the experience needed in this pressure-cooker environment. Doubts about goalkeeping. Rene Adler was the No. 1 replacement for previous first choice Robert Enke, who tragically committed suicide last November, but Adler himself has been ruled out with a rib injury. Manuel Neuer of Schalke 04 is his likely replacement.

OPPORTUNITIES
Germany believe Australia are vulnerable down the flanks and are likely to target wide areas to open up space behind the Australian back line and sling over crosses either for tall frontman Klose to head or for the advanced midfielders, arriving in support, to attack in the penalty area. They would expect to win the midfield battle and control possession and the tempo of the game.

THREATS
Australia's ability to hit Tim Cahill as he pops up in the penalty area in unexpected places and arrives late to get on the end of crosses is the threat that most concerns the Germans. Key defender Mertesacker said during the week that they might double team the Socceroos' talisman. They will also be mindful of the Socceroos at set-pieces, where Josh Kennedy's height could be a concern.

AUSTRALIA STRENGTHS
Experience, team spirit, self belief, defensive stability. Australia have one of the oldest starting line-ups - virtually the same as it was in Germany. Although that means they are four years older and slower, it also means they are four years wiser and smarter. All that experience will be needed in this game, where the whole campaign could be decided. A draw or a win would set them up perfectly, but a defeat - especially if it is by more than one goal - would make it difficult to progress.

WEAKNESSES
Goals. Or lack of them. The Socceroos qualified through Asia with a wonderful defensive record, but aside from a few heavy victories over Qatar, rarely blew any opponents away. Josh Kennedy has height but has not looked convincing in the two warm-up matches, while none of the midfielders or defenders gets on the score sheet regularly. The weight of goalscoring responsibility has usually fallen on Tim Cahill's shoulders, and it is likely to do so again tonight.

OPPORTUNITIES
Germany are a team in transition with a lot of talented youngsters who have not had a lot of experience on the international stage, and there has been uncertainty over the goalkeeping berth. Miroslav Klose was Golden Boot winner in 2006 but has had a horrific season for Bayern Munich. His confidence might be down. Australia will look to break quickly and hit Germany hard on the counter-attack.

THREATS
The Germans will play in a similar shape to Australia - a 4-2-3-1 - and will look to exploit a lack of pace among the Australians. Lukas Podolski and Marko Marin have said Germany will look to threaten from the flanks, but Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has played as a central midfielder for Bayern this season, will look to replicate Michael Ballack's barnstorming runs into danger zones from deep midfield positions, while the height of Per Mertesacker and Klose will be dangerous at free kicks and corners.

http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/history-lesson-has-a-hint-of-truth-20100612-y4la.html

Harry will hit Germans off the bench

* David Lewis
* From: News Limited newspapers
* June 12, 2010 11:52PM


IT'S the news Socceroos fans have been dying to hear - Harry Kewell is fit and ready ahead of the team's opening World Cup match against Germany tonight.

Kewell, 31, is desperate to deliver on the grandest stage of all and has been doing everything at training to prove to coach Pim Verbeek that he is ready to go.

The fragile front man, however, will only be unleashed against the powerhouse Germans as a second-half substitute, as a worried Verbeek errs on the side of caution.

The great Kewell conundrum has occupied the coach's mind all week, with the striker's famously suspect groin under intense scrutiny.

Although the media was only allowed to observe 15 minutes of training on Friday night, Kewell looked better than he had since arriving in South Africa.

Verbeek is so worried that the slightest setback could end Kewell's participation in the tournament before it has even begun, he has opted to deploy him off the bench - possibly for as little as 20 minutes as Australia looks to spring a massive upset against Joachim Low's confident side.

With only two and a bit club games for his Turkish club Galatasaray this year, the clock is ticking for Kewell to emerge from mothballs and prove he can still beguile where others can only toil.

But the reality is that stringbean pointman Josh Kennedy will get the nod in Durban, with Tim Cahill deployed in the hole behind him.

Defender Scott Chipperfield, for one, wants to see Kewell work his magic on the match, even if it is only in a cameo role as a central striker.

"We all remember how Harry performed in our final group game against Croatia four years ago when he scored the equaliser which got us through to the last 16," Chipperfield said. "When you have somebody of that quality, of course you can't wait to see them out there."

Verbeek hopes he doesn't have to send an SOS to Kewell as he plots to frustrate the three-time world champion.

The Socceroos will park bodies behind the ball, squeeze the space in midfield and attempt to use the guile and elusiveness of Tim Cahill and the creative tendencies Mark Bresciano to augment Kennedy, whose aerial threat will be closely monitored by German centre backs Arne Friedrich and Per Mertesacker. Verbeek knows that the key to qualification from Group D is likely to hinge more on how Australia performs against Ghana and Serbia than against the Germans, and is doing all in his power to have Kewell available for those games.

The Germans, who view the Socceroos as little more than a stepping-stone to greater glories ahead, will play a 4-2-3-1 system, with Miroslav Klose leading the charge.

Providing the ammunition through the middle, and the man charged with exposing Vince Grella and Jason Culina, will be the tricky and elusive new face of German football Mesut Oezil.

The creative midfielder's vision, sublime touches and speed of execution could cause trouble for Verbeek's men.

Meanwhile, Adelaide United keeper Eugene Galekovic was yesterday officially added to the Socceroos squad to replace Brad Jones.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/world-cup-2010/harry-will-hit-germans-off-the-bench/story-fn4l5n4r-1225878954196

Lucas Neill: Germany will be the Socceroos' hardest game ever

* By Marco Monteverde in Durban
* From: News Limited newspapers
* June 13, 2010 1:37AM

LUCAS Neill says Germany will be the Socceroos' toughest opponents in Australia's short World Cup history.

The Socceroos open their 2010 World Cup finals campaign in Durban on Monday morning (AEST) against a young and athletic German side at the magnificent Durban Stadium.

Despite having met both Brazil and Italy in Germany four years ago, the Socceroos are preparing for their stiffest test yet at World Cup level.

"This is the first game of our tournament and everyone knows if you lose your first game it becomes very difficult," skipper Neill said at the pre-match press conference.

"We are taking on a team that is so consistent. They have all their players playing in great leagues in Europe ... they're all going into the game extremely confident in that they're a nation that expects to get into the semi-final or final of every tournament, so we know it's going to be an extremely tough game.

"Is there ever a good time to play Germany? I don't think so - probably the toughest game in our short history in the World Cup.

"The other two (Group D) teams (Ghana and Serbia) are both chasing Germany as well, so we all regard Germany as the best team."

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek said his entire 23-man squad was fit and available for selection.

Brett Emerton is expected to return from a calf injury to play on the right side of midfield despite playing in none of Australia's three warm-up matches.

"We've had three good sessions (during the week)," Verbeek said.

"Everybody has seen us play for the last two and half years. We don't have so many secrets.

"We are ready. Twenty-three players are fit, they are looking forward to playing this game.

"We know the Australian mentality. They will go from the first to the last second."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/world-cup-2010/neill-germany-our-hardest-game-ever/story-fn4ke53k-1225878967456