Skoko: Socceroos can beat Germany

* by Josip Skoko
* From: News Limited newspapers
* June 12, 2010 12:30AM

WE can beat Germany in Durban. For that matter we can beat anyone on our day but you need to play the perfect game to beat these sorts of teams coupled with a slice of luck.

Germans are always very disciplined but we'll be just as disciplined so we'll match up well.

They always play the 90 minutes and they've got some outstanding players, so it's going to be hard to contain them.

It means we have to get out there and score because they'll be attacking us with their sights set on a first-up win. Our biggest challenge is not concede.

We played against them at the Confederations Cup in 2005 where we lost 4-3. I scored one of the goals and Johnny Aloisi netted twice.

I dont think there's any point in Pim Verbeek watching that DVD because things have changed since then but the Germans are always similar.

You can get at them, but in saying that you have to be careful not to expose yourself.

They've got a number of quality attacking options and can hurt you in a heartbeat.

I suspecting they'll come at us hard in the first 10 minutes in search for early goals to try and sort things out early.

We've got to come out strong and try to contain them before slowly working our way into the game.

While everyone is focused on the Germans, I believe the real danger team in our group is the Serbs who, if they can get it together, are skill-wise and tactically probably the strongest team in the group.

It's going to be a very difficult game against them on June 23, but it depends what day you get them on, as they can be very volatile.

They can be unbeatable - or they can be terrible and anyone can beat them.

One of the positives we can draw on is the experience of 2006. The players have been there, done it and dealt with the pressures and procedures around the World Cup, which can be intense.

But our guys have to just go there and relax. It was a great achievement just to reach the World Cup and they've got to go out and enjoy themselves and play good football.

It would be great if they could get through the first round but if not, it's important they enjoy themselves and show the world that Australians can play football.

I'll be watching with interest from Croatia, as I enjoy my finals days here before returning home to start my A-League career with Melbourne Heart.

I played my last game against Argentina in September, 2007 after a very fulfilling and enjoyable decade-long international career.

With the amount of travel and time away from my family my retirement was justified.

Being out of the limelight since retiring people might think that my level has dropped, but be assured that in 2009-10 I played some of the best football of my career and I was still acquiring silverware.

I even think I'm playing at a good enough level to be playing for the Socceroos if I was still involved.

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't get the occasional itch when I see the boys play because I know I'm still capable, but I reiterate that I'm comfortable with my decision.

And now it's their time to shine and I wish my old teammates all the best.

* Josip Skoko won 51 Socceroos caps and will join new A-League side Melbourne Heart this season.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/world-cup-2010/skoko-socceroos-can-beat-germany/story-fn4k63e5-1225878627572