How the Socceroos got torn apart

* By David Davutovic
* From: AdelaideNow
* June 14, 2010 6:47AM

ONE sensed that Germany was almost arrogant in the buildup to the World Cup opener against the Socceroos and in hindsight they had every right to be.

Germany was a different class and their 4-0 win was not only deserved but it exposed almost every one of the Socceroos’ flaws which were covered up during qualifying.

Although it was almost the same team, the 2010 Socceroos are almost unrecognisable to the class of 2006.

Pim Verbeek did a great job navigating the Socceroos through a near faultless qualifying campaign but this would not have happened under Guus Hiddink.

The team was tactically undisciplined and horribly exposed defensively, while going forward there was an alarming lack of creativity or ideas.

While Germany announced themselves as genuine contenders last night by playing a near perfect game, a 4-0 scoreline is unacceptable and the Socceroos paid the price for being too defensive and cautious, which has been an underlying theme under Verbeek.



He sprung selection and tactical surprises, namely picking Richard Garcia up front instead of Josh Kennedy and starting Carl Valeri.

The game so nearly could have taken a completely different course if Garcia had have opened the scoring after three minutes but German captain Philipp Lahm was perfectly placed to clear off the line.

After some early scares the Germans quickly clawed their way back into the game and by half-time were in complete control.

The idea of Valeri alongside Vince Grella was to provide extra cover but they were helpless to stop the marauding German midfielders, in particular Mesut Ozil who was a threat all night.

He is 21 but he commanded the middle of the park like a veteran, instigating most of Germany’s attacks with his delightful and delicate touches and outstanding skill.

Starting Jason Culina on the left wing appeared to be a defensive move also, to try and nullify the overlap from Lahm.

But the German captain broke loose in the 26th minute to surge forward and set up the second goal by delivering a brilliant low, hard and flat cross that teased Schwarzer into coming and left him in no man’s land.

Germany almost played the perfect game - they knocked it about quickly, their interplay and movement was outstanding, their passing was spot on and their defence resolute and disciplined.

They were so good that they exposed the Socceroos like no team has in recent history.

Craig Moore and Lucas Neill - and Schwarzer - were caught out of position several times and the team collectively looked slow and lacking imagination going forward.

Against the big teams you also need luck but instead the Socceroos got shoddy refereeing from Mexican Marco Rodriguez to rub salt into the deep wounds.

First a penalty should’ve been awarded for a Per Mertesacker handball when he blocked Garcia’s header just after half-time then there was the harsh red card Tim Cahill in the 56th minute for the tackle on Bastian Schweinsteiger.

But Germany deserved to win and the scoreline was reflective of their complete dominance.

The third goal summed up the difference in class, with 20-year-old Thomas Muller leaving our defenders at sixes and sevens.

If a composite team was selected it would comprise of 11 German players.

Verbeek was too defensive and this was highlighted by his final change when he brought on defensive midfielder Mile Jedinak for Brett Emerton.


It was a damage limitation exercise but at 4-0 down what’s the point?

Harry Kewell, Mark Bresciano and Kennedy were twiddling their thumbs on the bench as was Dario Vidosic, who has been our most dangerous looking player in the lead-up games.

His one positive change was the introduction of Brett Holman at half time and he gave the Socceroos great energy and was the only player prepared to run at the German defence.

The only other guys capable of doing it, Scott Chipperfield and Luke Wilkshire, were too busy concentrating on their defensive duties.


One can only hope for an improved performance against Ghana in Rustenberg.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/world-cup-2010/how-the-socceroos-got-torn-apart/story-fn4l4sip-1225879269039