Germany v Australia: match preview

Group D
Germany v Australia
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: Sun June 13, 7.30pm BST.

It would be an exaggeration to term this a grudge match, but a degree of festering antipathy has been evident between Germany and Australia during the pre-match exchanges. Germany have already vocally questioned the Australian’s style; a tactic which suggests a certain apprehension about how easy it will be to create chances against disciplined and well organised opponents.

In that regard, Joachim Low faces a huge decision over whether he goes with the proven tournament experience in attack of Miroslav Klose or the rather more mercurial talents of Cacau, the Brazilian-born Stuttgart forward.


Australia also have a dilemma over their strikers, although Harry Kewell has declared himself fully fit following recent injury and faces competition from Josh Kennedy to start in attack.

Touchline duel

Joachim Low v Pim Verbeek: Verbeek was assistant to Guus Hiddink at South Korea during the 2002 World Cup and so already has direct experience of helping to steer a tournament outsider to previously unforeseen heights.

Similarly, Low was the right-hand man to Jurgen Klinsmann as Germany reached the semi-finals as hosts at the last World Cup.

Verbeek will be taking up a role overseeing youth development at the Moroccan Football Federation after this World Cup and, for both men, this tournament represents a further chance to step out of the shadow of their more illustrious predecessors.

Talking Tactics

A contest between a German team that is already being lauded for its attacking, passing philosophy and an Australia side who are expected to pack the midfield while attempting to inflict occasional damage on the counter-attack via Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell.

Key Clash

Tim Cahill v Bastian Schweinsteiger: The star player in either team will go head to head in a central midfield clash that should go a long way to deciding the outcome.

Schweinsteiger will be asked to play in a more deeper-lying midfield position for Germany during this World Cup and it will be vital that he picks up the runs of Cahill, who is Australia’s obvious danger-man with a record of 20 goals in 40 internationals.

What they say

Philipp Lahm: "This is no longer a typically German side. I think this is the best team, with the most quality of all the ones I have played in.”

Pim Verbeek: “Our target is to make the last 16 and from then on everything is possible. What we would like, and what we would hope, is to do better than last time.”

Teams

Germany (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Friedrich, Mertesacker, Badstuber, Lahm; Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Ozil, Podolski; Cacau
Australia (4-2-3-1): Schwarzer; Wilkshire, Neill, Moore, Chipperfield; Grella, Culina; Emerton, Cahill, Bresciano; Kewell
Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Mexico)

Previous meetings

P2: Germany 2, Draws 0, Australia 0

1974 (Hamburg, WC): West Germany 3 Australia o
2005 (Frankfurt/Main, Confederations Cup): Germany 4 Australia 3

Fact: In seven games in two World Cup finals, Australia have won just one game – against Japan four years ago.

Prediction: Australia are confident but Germany have won their last five opening fixtures at World Cup finals and will win this one.