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.
Jameswm
Guest
The Germans don't know much about the Aussie national psyche. If they did, they would have said "this is a very good, competitive Australian side and we will have to be on top of our game". That would have allowed the Aussies to go in to the game nice and complacent. Talking yourselves up and writing us off before you play us - not that smart really. We don't have an inferiority complex at this level like some other "minnow" nations do. I love that they are all writing us off, because theone thing we do know is that the Aussies will go in hard - and usually smart.
apaway
Guest
One of the big questions in the lead up to each World Cup is: "Will we see a first time winner?" I think Spain have a huge chance to be that first-time winner this time. Also, for many nations, just qualifying for the finals is a victory. No-one seriously believes the likes of Honduras or Slovenia are going to go all the way but their efforts in just making it are meritorius.
Phil H
Guest
Like bees to the honey, it was only a matter of time before Aussie journalists starved of an angle gravitated to the "arrogant Germans aren't taking Australia seriously" line. Beat-up of major proportions. In the same category are the "Watch out for Aussies, claims {insert football celebrity}" stories.
eric
Guest
A couple of german journalists may have writtten us off, but from what I've read,every German player and the coach has alot of respect for our team.I can't see our boys using this as extra incentive to play well against the Germans.
Moonface
Roar Guru
Even if we lose to Germany, and then Serbia and Ghana draw, we are one point behind the second teams and 2 games to go. Just need to keep it tight and don't let them score too many because goal difference will probably play a part.
Moonface
Roar Guru
Ranked 20 in the world is no minnow, Australia deserves to be in the finals.
Lorry
Guest
I wasn't saying no-one else could ever win the soccer WC, but I just thought it was an interesting comparison. That's all!
punter
Guest
Lorry, you will find Spain are favourites for the football WC & they have never won the WC.
David
Guest
Kennedy is no good and dispite McD not scoring he actually played decent for Australia Kennedy is terrable if he players up front we have no chance. Perhaps if he gets subed off
True Tah
Guest
Lorry England have already won both the FIFA and IRB versions of the World Cup. I suspect France's position as the IRB World Champion is long overdue and may well end in 2011 - which would make them the 2nd nation to hold both.
Lorry
Guest
Yes apaway, that's true that only 7 nations have won the soccer world cup in 70 years. And it has been said that some will never win again e.g. England, Holland? I remember Spiro a few years ago gave a great stat that in only 20 years of the Rugby World Cup (the third biggest world sporting event after the WC and Olympics), already 4 different nations have won it. And in the next 20 years there's a definite chance that a few more nations could win it, e.g. France, Ireland. And possibly one day Wales, Argentina, maybe even one of the Island nations (if we and NZ stope stealing their players). Remember that in countries like France, Ireland, and Argentina rugby is definitely not the most popular sport... Now the most interesting question is: who could win BOTH WCs. France, Argentina, England....maybe Ireland (if they could unite North and South in soccer?!) Food for thought! Lorry
MVDave
Guest
Aljay The Wenger story; http://www.theage.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/tough-cookies-australia-will-be-giving-germany-sleepless-nights-says-arsene-wenger-20100610-xzb8.html
Albal
Guest
I think the speed of our counterattacks will be important. We will certainly go into ultradefensive mode, however if we can muster a few speedy counter attacks we could pouch a goal. Personally i think the youngsters in the squad such as Dario and Nikita will be important off the bench.
dippa666
Guest
Two wins and a draw or two wins and a loss are not beyond us. There is no reason why we can't beat both Ghana & Serbia and maybe snag a draw against Germany. Totally agree with the Germany game being important to assess how well we go for the remaining group games. A draw or even an unlucky loss by a single goal could give the boys tremendous confidence going into the Ghana match.
sheek
Guest
Grooaannn..........
sheek
Guest
Towser, Agreed. Even first-up defeat shouldn't be seen as the end of the world. On the other hand, imagine losing first-up to either Ghana or Serbia? Win, lose or draw the opening round, the important thing is how well we play. That's the key indicator I'm looking for. Obviously we should be looking for top spot, but the first two go through, & that might mean a win/draw/loss (4 points) or preferably a win & 2 draws (5 points). I would be very happy if the Germans underrate us. Don't mind that at all.....
apaway
Guest
This talk of football "minnows" is interesting. Of the 200 plus FIFA nations, only 7 have won the World Cup, and 5 of these (Brazil, Italy, France, Argentina, Germany) have contested every final since 1978. Only 12 nations in total have reached the World Cup Final since its inception, and of those 1 no longer exists (Czechoslovakia) and 4 seem unlikely to repeat the feat in the foreseeable future (Hungary, Sweden, Uruguay, Chile). So in essence, there are a lot of "minnows" in world football and a few very big fish. As to the Socceroos chances: Regardless of how coaches and squads play down pre-tournament results, they are the barometer by which most expectations are measured. In that regard, Ghana and Serbia don't have cause to be as dismissive of Australia as they are. Mark me down as quietly optimistic.
AGO74
Guest
Club footall is completely different to international football. Look at Scotty Mac. Dominant at Celtic and scorer of goals against Milan and Man U in the CL yet couldn't hit a cow's..........with a banjo for Australia. Same with Klose and Podolski. Had rotten seasons at club level and generally speaking their club careers have nowhere near matched the heights of their international careers. I'm not trying to compare Kennedy with Klose as it is obvious who is the better player, but I wouldn't read too much into it.
AGO74
Guest
Germany is one thing as they are a proven super power with unquestionable pedigree so they can afford to be a little cocky. However, an interesting quote came through this morning from Ghanian midfieder Sulley Muntari "Germany are the group favourites and so it will doubtless come down to Serbia - we don't know quite what to expect against them, but we know they are a good team. Our goal is to produce good football," So it would appear that Ghana are also dismissive of Australia which is interesting as whilst they'll have the home-town African advantage, we are comparable nations otherwise. Wonder if the Serbs have a similr opinion??
dippa666
Guest
The Germans underestimated us in Africa once before. We gave them a bit of an upset at a place called Tobruk. They have a track record of underestimating Aussie grit and determination. Don't write us off yet.