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FIFA World Cup 2010 match 8 - Group D Australia: Schwarzer, Neill, Moore, Emerton (Jedinak 74), Chipperfield, Cahill, Culina, Wilkshire, Grella (Holman 45), Valeri, Garcia (Rukavytsya 64). Germany: Neuer, Friedrich, Badstuber, Lahm, Mertesacker, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Oezil (Gomez 73), Podolski (Marin 81), Klose (Cacau 69), Muller. Australia had said plenty in the build up to this game about not giving the Germans too much respect but a team sheet showing Tim Cahill as a lone attacker suggested their words would be more positive than their football. The Australians did begin the game well and had the Germans pressed back for the first five minutes, forcing one great chance in the process. Cahill headed down from a right wing corner but Neill and Garcia both failed to convert in front of goal. It was not long before Germany had assumed control, however, and it was evident that the Australian defence would not be able to contain their attacking thrusts. The Australians made sure they got plenty of men behind the ball but without pressing the man in possession and their back four was patently too slow to match the movement of the Germans. The consequence of this was a series of ever more frustrated calls for offside decisions that didn't exist and weren't given as time and again Germany were able to play their way through the Australian defence to set up good chances. Klose wasted the first of these by shooting straight at Schwarzer when clean through but POdolski made no mistake on eight minutes when a slick interchange between Oezil and Muller was met with a thumping finish. Unlike other nations I could mention (England) taking the lead did not faze the Germans and they simply continued to look for more goals with Oezil the most impressive individual in a consumate team display. Oezil and Podolski combined to provide Klose with an absolute sitter which the striker, under some pressure for his place, somehow missed but the goal he craved arrived when he met an inviting centre from Lahm ahead of the lunging Schwarzer and headed into the empty net. Oezil's finishing was not as good as his approach play. Firstly he was too cute in chipping Schwarzer when clean through and Neill was able to get back and hoof clear and then he overran the ball as he attempted to round the Australian keeper. The half time whistle brought an end to the most impressive team display of this World Cup finals so far, however. Half Time: Australia 0 Germany 2 Again Australia tried to force the pace at the start of the second half but, as in the first half, this was merely the calm before the German storm. Lahm was soon flying through on the overlap to provide Muller with a good chance which he clipped just over. Ten minutes into the half a gruelling experience for Australia turned into a genuine nightmare as Cahill was shown an extremely harsh red card. Cahill was in no position to challenge Schweinsteiger from behind but he appeared to realise this himself and although he was could not stop himself from clipping the German contact was minimal and certainly not dangerous. Obviously the German made the utmost of the situation and Cahill was aghast to see the resulting red card. Having been completely battered with eleven men Australia now faced the prospect of thirty five long minutes playing with ten. Klose and Khedira both failed to finish when clear of the defence together but with the Germans breaching the Australian defence at will further goals were inevitable and two duly arrived in as many minutes. The impressive Podolski fed Muller who finished with cool assurance and then Oezil squared for Cacau, who had only come on after the third goal went in, to sidefoot into the gaping net. Germany continued to press forward but they possibly took pity on their demoralized opponents and there were no further goals in the last twenty minutes. Stronger opposition await but this was a pretty impressive statement of intent from Germany. Full Time: Australia 0 Germany 4 Australia: Schwarzer 4, Neill 3, Moore 4, Emerton 6 (Jedinak 4), Chipperfield 3, Cahill 4, Culina 3, Wilkshire 4, Grella 3 (Holman 4), Valeri 3, Garcia 5 (Rukavytsya 3). Germany Ratings: Neuer 5, Friedrich 6, Badstuber 7, Lahm 8, Mertesacker 6, Khedira 6, Schweinsteiger 7, Oezil 8 (Gomez 4), Podolski 8, Klose 6 (Cacau 7), Muller 7. Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Mexico) 5 Good: You've got to admire the German mentality. It doesn't matter how shit they are they still think they're good. And it reflects in their performances. Bad: You've got to despise the German mentality. No matter how much better they are than the other side they can't stop themselves from cheating. Fiercely challenging the officials over the most obvious and innocuous decisions from the first whistle, going to ground as if shot in some World War battle at the merest contact and two players booked for diving. Ugly: The mood of the ten remaining Australians when Cahill was shown the red card.
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