Socceroos in for a physical battle in Group of Defence

Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann, right, celebrates with forward Miroslav Klose at the end of the World Cup, Group A soccer match between Germany and Poland, at the Dortmund stadium, Germany, Wednesday, June 14, 2006. Germany won 1-0. The other teams in Group A are Ecuador and Costa Rica. AP Photo/Murad Sezer

Casting an eye over the Socceroos group for South Africa (Germany, Australia, Serbia and Ghana) after this morning’s draw and the things that stand out are the strong defences, physicality and the impressive qualification run by all four teams.

Germany conceded only five goals in qualifying, Serbia and Ghana only eight.

Throw in the Socceroos, who only concede one goal in the final phase (four in total) of qualifying, and one could argue group D is the Group of Defence.

Germany isn’t a defensive side but they have certainly plugged a defence that leaked goals ahead of the World Cup last time around.

At home three years ago they surprised and impressed the world by offering a very forward thinking style under Jurgen Klinsmann. He was one of the rare managers to play a 4-4-2, perhaps realising his defence wasn’t up for holding teams out.

They have carried that on under Joachim Loew, with the likes of Lukas Podolski, Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose getting able support from Michael Ballack, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil from deep.

But it’s the work of the likes of Heiko Westermann and Per Mertesacker at the back which has improved, evidenced by one five goals conceded.

Germany will be strong at set pieces and physical all over the place, but they’re characteristics that should suit the mentally strong Socceroos, who would prefer to have them first up.

It will give Pim Verbeek time to plan, but he must ensure that free-kicks around the box are kept to a minimum. The Socceroos must perform in the first game. A draw would be wonderful, instilling confidence and easing a bit of pressure ahead of the second game against Ghana.

A loss and the pressure is on.

Certainly, Germany will be up for it, and Loew has already said “we must win the first game against Australia”.

Certainly, Verbeek’s counter-attacking strategy could come to the fore in this game, and he will look for the likes of Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton to break forward quickly and try and expose Germany’s big defenders.

The complete opposite of Germany, Serbia, or at least what was formerly known as Yugoslavia, had a reputation for being mentally susceptible.

No doubting their technical attributes over the years, but in-fighting has often blighted their performances in the big tournaments.

But in Radi Antic they have a man who looks to have sorted that out. The fact they qualified above France not only tells of Raymond Domenech’s lack of quality, but it tells of a united and purposeful Serbia.

With experienced EPL defenders in Nemanja Vidic and Branislav Ivanovic, and La Liga’s Ivica Dragutinovic, you sense they have the mental toughness and experience to deal with things this time around.

Of course, many will remember that the team then known as Serbia and Montenegro went to Germany having conceded only one goal in 10 qualifiers, only to cop 10 in the tournament, including a 6-0 hiding against Argentina.

But I’d be surprised if that happened again. And in Dejan Stankovic, Nikola Zigic and Milan Jovanovic, they do have some potency in attack.

Again though, it is an even match-up that will please Verbeek, and, coupled with the Germany, should ensure Verbeek focuses on central defenders who are very strong in the air.

Patrick Kisnorbo is now right in the mix, and Chris Coyne could even get another look-in after missing the past few squads. Defenders like this would relish clashes against Zigic, Klose and Gonzalez.

Ghana, of course, isn’t known for its defensive prowess or for playing for set pieces, but, they too, had an impressive qualification campaign.

The midfield is their biggest asset, with Chelsea’s Michael Essien joined by Stephen Appiah and Sulley Muntari in a powerful and skilful middle line.

They will offer power and penetration, and the Socceroos will need all their organisational strength to deal with the movement and ability on the ball. We got a glimpse into just well the Black Stars keep the ball in this game in Sydney last year.

But again, as against Germany, there might be a few chances for Verbeek on the counter.

Let’s hope the focus of Ghana’s Serbia manager Milovan Rajevac is on the first game against his country, or on dealing with the some of the egos that can often pervade the Ghana squad.

The other question is whether the manager will temper Ghana’s natural inclination to get forward and attack?

The Socceroos certainly aren’t without a hope in this group, but it’s bound to be tight and often physical one, and goals may be at a premium.