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As the Asian Champions met the World Champions on Wednesday night in Kaiserslautern, few could have predicted the dominance the Socceroos would impress on the match.
Germany looked shocked at times by a vibrant and fluid attack and Australia can feel unfortunate not to have grabbed a victory.
Yes, the Die Nationalmannschaft rested some key players, but the Socceroos were similarly without no less than four regular starters. It was an inspiring performance, and here is what we can take out of the result.
There is life after Cahill, and is does not depend on a striker
While much has been made of Tim Cahill’s eventual retirement, whenever that may be, and his eventual heir, Ange Postecoglou has ensured it won’t be too hard a hit. Concern before the Germany game was about where the goals were going to come from without a fully fit number nine in the squad.
Yet Postecoglou’s preference of an interchanging front three worked to devastating effect against the hosts. Mathew Leckie started at the point of attack, though often switched with James Troisi, who put in his best ever Socceroos performance, while Nathan Burns also often drifted out from his place on the right-side of a three-prong attack.
This fluidity allowed the team to cause Germany all kinds of problems in the final third, Leckie’s pace in particular a valuable asset. If the Ingolstadt flyer can improve his finishing and first touch then the Socceroos will have some player on their hands.
Postecoglou praised his front three in the post-match presser, saying they will only get better, and also reserved plaudits for Tommy Oar, who also looked lively when introduced off the bench. It would be good to see Oar play from the start against Macedonia, while Tomi Juric might not even have claims to start even if declared fit.
A traditional number nine is an invaluable asset, but in the modern game it is no longer essential in the starting line-up. The front trio’s finishing has to improve to keep it that way, however.
“If they didn’t believe, now they will”
Probably the most striking comment from the post-match interviews, captain Mile Jedinak was referring to the team’s belief, but it was also likely referring to the entire Australian public.
Before and during the Asian Cup there was still a lot of doubt in this side. Even afterwards, there were comments on The Roar and elsewhere questioning why Ange Postecoglou and the FFA were picking friendly matches against the best in the world.
The answer is now clear – because we are good enough. Postecoglou has instilled a belief in the national side never previously seen. It has rubbed off on the players, and they are playing with appropriate confidence. The Socceroos outplayed Germany for large sections of the match in Kaiserslautern and proved their quality at the highest level.
Australia should be disappointed
Ange rightfully pointed to the performance over the result after the match, which is of course the outcome that matters most in friendlies. But victory was there for the taking and letting it slip just 10 minutes from the death hurts.
The team can be proud, as can supporters, but Jedinak probably summed it up best when asked whether the Socceroos should have killed the game off.
“I think an element of us has to see it that way,” he said.
“If we really are going to take it up to the next level you have to be a little disappointed that we didn’t hold on, considering the amount of opportunities we had.”
Again, a telling comment from the Socceroos captain, and spot on. The performance should be the overriding factor taken from the draw, but it also needs to be used as future motivation the next time the team comes up against a world football power.
Disappointed may be too strong, because the performance was near faultless, but if the Socceroos are to rise to the top then it is a natural and appropriate feeling.
The Socceroos will improve further with a settled defence
Mat Ryan has been an ever present between the sticks under Postecoglou, but the four men in front of him have been ever-changing, mainly thanks to injuries. Yet another back four was forced onto Postecoglou against Germany due to injuries to Trent Sainsbury and Matthew Spiranovic.
It was astonishingly the 13th different back four combination Postecoglou has used in just 18 games. Luke DeVere, in his debut, was Alex Wilkinson’s sixth central defensive partner under Ange, and it showed.
DeVere looked undercooked more than anything, his fitness clearly lacking after only just returning to regular first team action. He was rusty in the opening half but soon settled, and a lung-busting run to chase down Lukas Podolski late on represented a brilliant recovery.
Wilkinson spoke of his desire to stick around as Ange’s first choice, and to be fair he hasn’t done much wrong to get shafted from the first XI. However, it also be hard to argue against continuing the Sainsbury-Spiranovic partnership that flourished in the Asian Cup, if they can both stay fit.
Friendlies are a tough gig for fringe players
While managers at times use exhibition matches as a way to try new combinations and experiment with personnel, more often they stick with the tried and tested and then introduce newbies off the bench.
So it was for Aaron Mooy, who struggled to get into the rhythm of the Germany match after entering the fray in the 69th minute. A few stray passes and a few turnovers meant Mooy was far from impressive, but he cannot be judged on that performance.
A starting berth against Macedonia would go a long way for Mooy proving he is up to international standard, and also give him the confidence and time to make his mark. Similar with Bozanic, it would be great to see the duo get more of a run next week.
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