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Germany’s shock loss to Serbia cracked Group D wide open and although there were no favours for the Socceroos, there was no harm done either as questions were raised over tactics and refereeing in a dramatic encounter.
In a group quickly developing into the group of death, Serbia capitalized on a man advantage to score the game’s only goal.
There was plenty of questions raised about Germany and even about the Socceroos and their tactics in the opening game.
First on the result – one that could leave all four teams locked on three points going into their final group games – if Australia can beat Ghana.
A German win would have been nice to send the Serbians into the final group game playing for nothing with no points on the board, but not to be.
Germany’s performance and sometimes tactics were a little surprising.
Against the Socceroos, they enjoyed a freedom not seen by any side in the opening group games of the tournament.
Perhaps it was confidence against what they sensed to be a weaker opponent, but the caution from the Germans against Serbia was a real shock.
The referee was dishing out cards in the opening stages, making the tackle from Miroslav Klose – for his second booking – poor, ill disciplined and not good enough from a player of his ability and experience.
Serbia’s goal came moments later when the giant Nikola Zigic nodded the ball down for Milan Jovanovic to volley home.
Ah, a target man? Who would’ve thought? Oh wait; the Socceroos have one of them.
Zigic wasn’t superb, but he was a problem.
A problem Josh Kennedy could have been in the Socceroos’ 4-0 loss – against defenders he has played against in the Bundesliga.
Even with the same number of players on the pitch, Serbia looked more likely.
The switch to a 4-5-1 was the right one – levelling the midfielders for each team.
The Socceroos, who were a team playing a 4-2-3-1, changed their formation to a 4-4-2, giving Germany an extra midfielder to run the show. And they did.
German boss Joachim Low could face scrutiny in the home nation.
Striker Lukas Podolski failed to convert his penalty – with his shot too close to the centre of the goals and easily saved, even after Vladimir Stojkovic had dived before the striker shot.
But why did Podolski step up? He may have been the allocated penalty taker, but surely a decision could have been made for a change.
Earlier, he had slammed three or four shots at goal wide.
He had failed to make Stojkovic work and his lack of confidence ended up in a shot not aimed closely enough for the corner of the net.
The referee, who had given out yellow cards like lollies to result in a red to Klose, kept them in his pocket in the second.
Despite so, Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic should have seen red for his deliberate handball that led to the penalty.
Next, Mesut Ozil came off for Cacau.
Why? Ozil had played a number of dangerous passes and set up a number of attacking forays for the Germans.
Podolski remained on the pitch.
The dramatic game has left the group wide open, but questions have been raised over the tactics of Low, and once again, Verbeek.
The situation for the Socceroos remains the same. Win and win. No harm done – except they will face a hungry Serbian side in the final group game.
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