It's vital to beat Germany in first game: Pim Verbeek
* Marco Monteverde, Johannesburg
* From: The Australian
* May 28, 2010
PIM Verbeek has wasted no time in setting Australia's World Cup agenda on the Socceroos' arrival in South Africa, suggesting an upset victory over group D favourite Germany was well within his side's reach.
"The most important thing for us is to win our first game," Verbeek said after arriving with his 28-man squad following a 14-hour journey from Melbourne.
That's easier said than done, even against a German side minus captain Michael Ballack, who will not only miss the June 14 match against Australia but also the entire tournament after injuring an ankle in Chelsea's 1-0 FA Cup win over Portsmouth this month.
And while Verbeek feels sorry for Ballack, he won't have any sympathy for his own team if its hopes of a second-round berth take a massive dent with an ordinary performance against Germany.
The Dutchman won't seek any excuses, saying the fact that the Socceroos were the first foreign team to arrive in South Africa and would play warm-up matches against Denmark (Tuesday) and the US tomorrow week at Ruimsig Stadium should have them primed for a big performance against Germany.
"We have given ourselves plenty of time to prepare and acclimatise to the local conditions," Verbeek said.
"The players will have to get used to the altitude and the warm-up matches will help us to achieve this. When playing in the World Cup, you have to prepare yourself and make sure the team is in good conditions."
Verbeek also hinted the fun and pampering was over after his players were afforded five-star service on the flight, stressing the Socceroos would be on anything but a holiday from the moment their first training session in South Africa started in Sandton last night (AEST).
"I want to say that we are very excited to be here in South Africa. I have been in this country about eight or nine times already, and I have always enjoyed my stay here," Verbeek said. "However, now we are here for a different reason - we are here to compete. I know it's not going to be easy.
"We have a tough group with some quality teams."
Decked out in their stylish Hugo Boss suits, temporarily replaced by unfashionable brown pyjamas during the flight, the Socceroos were relieved to have finally landed at OR Tambo International Airport after a busy week of not only training, but promotional appearances in Melbourne.
The day before departing, Verbeek admitted he might have pushed his players too hard before Australia's lacklustre effort in its 2-1 win over New Zealand on Monday night, but said it was all part of an extended and, to some degree, uncharted plan to be ready for Germany in Durban.
"Nobody has the real feeling of how it is to train for a few weeks at altitude, so we have to find out," said Verbeek, who will name his final 23-man squad on Tuesday.
"We go every day finding out what we can do, how much we can do, (whether we can) train once a day hard or be better to do it two times a day, not that hard. We have to find out.
"It's a very interesting experience, not only for us, but for every team coming to South Africa."
For World Cup organising committee chief executive Danny Jordaan, the Socceroos' arrival was also a landmark occasion and presented him with an ideal opportunity to stress tournament preparations were on track before it begins on June 11.
"We are pleased to welcome Australia as the first team to arrive in our country," Jordaan said.
Five-time world champion Brazil was due to arrive last night, with Denmark and Argentina to follow on the weekend.
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