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The forwards of the German nationa soccer team nominated for the World Cup. AP Photos
Little has taken place in Australia’s pre-World Cup campaign to inspire the sort of confidence Germany is exuding ahead of its Group D date with the Socceroos on Sunday.
Both German players and journalists reportedly swaggered through a press conference yesterday, with more than a few of the latter happy to write Australia’s chances of an upset right off.
Admittedly, there has been little in the Socceroos’ three pre-Cup friendlies to suggest the Germans should be quaking in their lederhosen.
Only in the 1-0 win against Denmark did Pim Verbeek’s side look defensively sound.
The Socceroos have hit four goals in three games, but its attack has been more industrious than creative and will need a drastic lift to trouble the Germans.
Central defender Per Mertesacker acknowledged the threat both Tim Cahill and Josh Kennedy posed for Germany’s defensive line, but revealed that coaching staff had not yet addressed Australia in planning.
“We haven’t dealt with the issues around Australia so intensely yet, that will come in the next few days,” he said.
”The next few training sessions will be decisive to get organised come the Australia game.”
Mertesacker was quoted by News Limited as saying a loss was not being considered by Joachim Loew’s side.
“It’s not something we are expecting to have to face,’’ he said.
“Needless to say it would be a very bad result for us not to take all three points because we know have the capacty to beat Australia.
“We have a lot of power in our squad but also Australia are a team that cannot be easily discounted.”
Discounted, however, was what Australia was by the German media throng before Mertesacker.
“We are country with big players and big ambition and Australia won’t be able to resist Germany for a whole 90 minutes,” the same article quoted Ludwig Everts of ARD TV as saying.
“They saw that they lost 3-1 to USA in a warm-up and they instantly feel we will beat them also. We are far more worried about Serbia in our second game than we are against Australia.”
“Of course we will beat Australia, does anybody doubt it?” another journalist asked facetiously, before going on to describe the Socceroos as the “minnows” of the group.
Minnows, eh? Australia would have been written off as just that in 2006, it another tricky group featuring Croatia, Japan and Brazil.
But it seems not even a Round 16 berth and the Socceroos’ pushing of Italy – ironically in front of the German people – is worth remembering.
Of course, as any Australian supporter will tell you, there are major differences between the Socceroos of ’06 and ’10.
It is also hard to argue with some of the logic behind the statements. Germany is a world football heavyweight. Loew’s side does have big ambitions.
But the underdog lesson of 2006 is well worth heeding.
While Australia may be short on form, it is long in determination.
It would be intriguing to know if the comments from Mertesacker and his country’s press would have been circulated within the Australian dressing room.
If the Socceroos needed any more motivation for Monday morning’s opener, then they have it now.
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