FIFA World Cup Match Preview – Germany vs Australia

Australia will open its FIFA World Cup campaign in its Group D clash against Germany on Sunday 13 June 2010 at the Durban Stadium in Durban, South Africa.

With the Socceroos well and truly acclimatised to the local conditions, they will ironically travel away from the high-altitude surroundings of Roodepoort to tackle the three-time World Champions at sea level.

 

Australia's Indifferent Form Ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Although Australia has won two of its three friendly matches prior to the commencement of the FIFA World Cup, the form of the Socceroos, especially against New Zealand and the USA, has come under much scrutiny.

Sections of the media have criticised the team’s lack of pace in defence and the need for a more potent goal scorer up forward.

While the 3-1 loss to the USA was the Socceroos’ first defeat in nine months, they will be comforted by the performances of wingers, Marco Bresciano and Luke Wilkshire, as well as goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer, who at the ripe old age of 37, made some incredible saves against the Americans.

 

Germany's World Cup Preparations in South Africa

Meanwhile, the Germans are coming off the back of two convincing wins over European opposition ahead of its World Cup opener against Australia.

Germany easily accounted for Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina, 3-0 and 3-1 respectively, with many players hitting peak form going into the tournament.

Defensive-midfield duo, Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger have looked extremely solid in breaking up opposition attacks; while striker, Mario Gomez, has impressed up front and in fact may start ahead of the more-experienced forward in Miroslav Klose.

With both teams in relatively decent form going into this clash, the stage is set for a compelling battle between two teams who have high aspirations of leaving their mark on the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

 

Previous Encounters

 

The two teams have only met each other twice before, with both matches taking place in major tournaments.

The two sides put on a show in their 2005 Confederations Cup group stage match, which ended in a 4-3 win for the Germans; current squad members, Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker, scored in this match.

Previous to this, both teams faced each other way back in the 1974 FIFA World Cup with German champions, Wolfgang Overath, Bernd Cullmann and Gerd Müller doing the damage in a decisive 3-0 win against an Australian side, which included Socceroos’ legend, Johnny Warren.

 

Players to Watch

Germany – Philipp Lahm
The tiny German wingback had the honour of scoring the very first goal in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, with his sixth-minute thunderbolt sneaking its way just inside the far post in the opener against Costa Rica.

Presently in 2010, Lahm has finally found himself on his naturally right-sided defensive position for Germany, but is still able to perform competently on either flank for the European powerhouse.

Lahm’s ability to run and pass opposition defenders with consummate ease, as well as deliver inch-perfect crosses to his forwards will unquestionably give Australian winger, Marco Bresciano, plenty to think about ahead of this crucial first-up clash.

With Lahm awarded the captaincy in Michael Ballack’s absence, the German genius will no doubt shoulder much of the responsibility of his side in going forward, and in defence.

Australia – Josh Kennedy

‘Jesus’, as he’s affectionately called, will be looked upon by the bulk of the Australian audience to play the role of saviour for the Socceroos in this match.

Kennedy has all the hallmarks of posing genuine problems for the German defence, with his strength in the air and his ability of bringing his teammates into the game through his neat lay-offs.

Importantly, Kennedy has had plenty of experience playing against much of the German squad through stints at club-level with Bundesliga sides, VfL Wolfsburg, Cologne, FC Nuremberg and Karlsruher SC.

With Kennedy likely to have limited opportunities against a well-organised German defence, it is pivotal that the Socceroo gets on the score sheet early to give his side every chance of gaining a first-up result against Germany.

World Cup Match Prediction

In what is shaping up to be a highly competitive group, it is critical that both teams secure a head start in their FIFA World Cup campaigns with a win and three points.

Much of the battle will be won in the air with Tim Cahill and Josh Kennedy always providing an aerial threat.
However, the Socceroos’ duo will be forced to pit themselves against German giant and central defender, Per Mertesacker, who, standing at 196cm tall, will continuously endeavour to be a thorn in Australia’s side going forward.

With question marks still over the fitness of Socceroos’ pair, Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton, coupled with the undeniable quality of the German line-up, the Germans should be too strong in a match that will provide end-to-end entertainment.

My Prediction ~ Germany 2-0 Australia