Young Germans stay upbeat
Source: Agencies |
June 13, 2010, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE great weight of German expectation will slam headlong into a wall of Australian defensive grit and muscle when the spectacular new Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban hosts its first World Cup match today.
Germany's World Cup pedigree -- three titles, four-time losing finalist and three third places -- demands success of Joachim Loew's team regardless of injury problems and stuttering strikers.
Deprived by injury of captain Michael Ballack and four other players, Germany's youngest tournament squad for three quarters of a century could have hoped for an easier Group D opener than to face a hugely experienced Australia side.
"They have an unbelievable passion, unbelievable organization and a near-perfect defensive structure," Loew said of the Australians.
"It is a very tough first match but our players will be confident and we want to win that match."
Loew is likely to stick with Miroslav Klose as his sole striker, hoping he can rediscover the scoring form noticeably absent for Bayern Munich this season but which made him the tournament's top scorer four years ago on home soil.
The 32-year-old will be looking for support from three attacking midfielders, including Lukas Podolski on the left wing, to help him unpick the Australia defense.
"We have to find the gaps," Podolski told reporters. "We have to play from the wings. Going through the middle will be very tough."
Australia's Dutch coach Pim Verbeek has midfield goalscoring threat Tim Cahill and his most talented attacker, Harry Kewell, fit again after injury.
Kewell has not played in any of their warm-up matches, however, so is unlikely to start for the Socceroos with Josh Kennedy set to retain the role of lone striker.
It was organization and strong defense, however, that got Australia through to the knockout stage in Germany four years ago, where it was unlucky to lose to eventual champion Italy.
While Germany is eager to seal its qualification into the next round before its final match against Ghana at higher altitude in Johannesburg, Verbeek has a more patient strategy.
"As I have always said, the group will be won in the last two games," he said.
Germany's World Cup pedigree -- three titles, four-time losing finalist and three third places -- demands success of Joachim Loew's team regardless of injury problems and stuttering strikers.
Deprived by injury of captain Michael Ballack and four other players, Germany's youngest tournament squad for three quarters of a century could have hoped for an easier Group D opener than to face a hugely experienced Australia side.
"They have an unbelievable passion, unbelievable organization and a near-perfect defensive structure," Loew said of the Australians.
"It is a very tough first match but our players will be confident and we want to win that match."
Loew is likely to stick with Miroslav Klose as his sole striker, hoping he can rediscover the scoring form noticeably absent for Bayern Munich this season but which made him the tournament's top scorer four years ago on home soil.
The 32-year-old will be looking for support from three attacking midfielders, including Lukas Podolski on the left wing, to help him unpick the Australia defense.
"We have to find the gaps," Podolski told reporters. "We have to play from the wings. Going through the middle will be very tough."
Australia's Dutch coach Pim Verbeek has midfield goalscoring threat Tim Cahill and his most talented attacker, Harry Kewell, fit again after injury.
Kewell has not played in any of their warm-up matches, however, so is unlikely to start for the Socceroos with Josh Kennedy set to retain the role of lone striker.
It was organization and strong defense, however, that got Australia through to the knockout stage in Germany four years ago, where it was unlucky to lose to eventual champion Italy.
While Germany is eager to seal its qualification into the next round before its final match against Ghana at higher altitude in Johannesburg, Verbeek has a more patient strategy.
"As I have always said, the group will be won in the last two games," he said.
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