Football Federation Australia have confirmed that the Socceroos will take on World Champions Germany at Fritz-Walter-Stadion, Kaiserslautern on Wednesday 25 March 2015.
It is a major announcement for the game in Australia, and continues on the recent desire to play high quality competition in international fixtures.
Australia have faced World Cup quarter finalists Belgium since playing Chile, The Netherlands and Spain in their 2014 World Cup campaign.
The Socceroos’ 2018 World Cup qualification is scheduled to commence in June next year, with this match serving as a tune-up for Mile Jedinak’s side.
Socceroo coach Ange Postecoglou said it was an important for the Socceroos to continue to match up against the best teams in the world.
“Germany are the world champions and have many exceptional players, so it’s a privilege for the Socceroos to face the best on their turf,” said Postecoglou.
“They are number one because of what they have built in junior development and elite academies over the past 15 years and there are many lessons we can learn from their approach.
“The match in Kaiserslautern is the ideal way to prepare for what will be a very tough World Cup qualification campaign in Asia.”
Australia and Germany have met four times at international level, with Australia winning once and Germany winning on the other three occasions. The last time they played the Socceroos shocked the European giants to win 2-1 in 2011.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Germany is a quality football nation. The best in the world at the moment. But, those who follow football know that any team has a chance in a 1-off match. In the current European Qualifiers - so, not friendlies, but real fair dinkum matches - Germany has drawn with Ireland & lost to Poland. I watched the GER v IRE match, which was played in Gelsenkirchen. There was nothing that Ireland did that Australia isn't capable of doing.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
You seem to think I'm scared? It's football, but the argument can be made as to whether it's healthy to keep losing to powerhouse nations. I'm simply suggesting it may not be in Australia's best interest and if we do get belted 5-0 then it could have a serious knock on affect. We need to win matches and playing teams around our caliber is the best way to do that. Ange is coming under pressure, because of all these loses. Don't take my word for it though, just have a look at other members on this forum who are already asking for his head if we keep losing. Personally, I think Ange is doing an Okay job, but his Judgement day will follow the Asian Cup. I'd be fairly certain he is in trouble if we do poorly in this tournament. Couple this with a flogging from Germany....
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Nice boxing analogy but back to the football, i've recently witnessed Scotland and Ireland take it to Germany and im confident we can do the same. Those who are scared of Australia taking on International sporting sides of Germany's stature are watching the wrong sport, it will always be difficult for us to get a result.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
If your a light weight, would you spar with a heavy weight? Sometimes a heavy hit lands, even by accident and it can be very damaging to the light weight.
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Germany are a superior footballing side but we are not worthy of playing them in a friendly?, get a grip.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I'm kind of split on this decision. To be the best you have to play against the best, and more importantly beat them when it counts. After all, what better way to learn your craft than from the very best. However, sometimes when you are out of your depth, one should be dropped down a grade. We see this in all levels of sport and I see no difference at the moment for the Socceroos. This to me I think will do more damage than good, because realistically...we can not win this match. Australia need a few wins and it is because of all these defeats that Qantas above sees our reputation at an all time low. We are just not winning games and as noble as it is to say we have been competitive in some of those games against the powerhouse nations, loss after loss after loss can be draining. To sum it up, Australia are not worthy of playing the champs - they really aren't.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Excellent choice by Ange. We all know friendlies are "meaningless" but, by playing the blue chip football nations, it adds that little bit of "meaning" to the meaninglessness! In the past 12 months, we've played the Croats, the Dutch, Chile, Spain and Belgium and in all matches the lads made me proud.
Shouts Chen
Guest
Thinking that this would be a very hard assignment for the Socceroos against the FIFA World Cup Champions 2014. I think the Socceroos need to work hard if they want any chance of beating the NO 1 team. Australia is sitting at a ranking of below 90. I think that the chances of Australia winning over Germany would be approximately 12%. For the Odds, I think the Germany will go out to $1.08 while the Socceroos will go out to $12.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Wow, what an assignment. A decade ago I would have said bring it on. Now I fear that the game is beyond us. A crushing defeat here would do enormous damage to our reputation. Then again our reputation is at an all time low in any case, so nothing to lose---maybe we could manage at least a draw that would restore my faith, not sure who else.
Jack
Guest
Thinkin at this stage it would be better for the new young guys to build confidence. I would of picked Cameroon or Honduras (World Cup teams still) in Neutral London friendly give us a swinging chance we will be lambs