Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » Sports » Football » Reuters > Report
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
Advertisement
   Discuss   |      Email   |      Print | Get latest news on your desktop

Germany with a lot to prove against Australia
Kevin Fylan
Get Sports updates:What's this?
Advertisement
June 14, 2005 15:26 IST

Germany [Images] will begin a two-week public relations campaign directed at domestic and overseas soccer fans when they take on underdogs Australia [Images] in their opening Group A match at the Confederations Cup on Wednesday.

Germany need to convince local supporters that they have a chance of winning the World Cup they are hosting next year, while showing the outside world that the country will be up to the demands of staging the 32-team tournament.

For coach Juergen Klinsmann, the match at the new Waldstadion in Frankfurt is a chance to put his faith in the team's aggressive style to the test, after a diet of friendly matches since he took over in late July.

"Our philosophy is very clearly weighted towards attack, with our speed and readiness to run at our opponents," said Klinsmann, who can look forward to further group games against Argentina and Tunisia.

"We'll continue to practise all the things we've been working on for the past 10 months and we won't change our plans if we make one or two small mistakes.

"The players have worked hard and that brings you self-confidence."

Klinsmann needs a good start in Germany's first competitive action since a deflating first-round exit at Euro 2004.

The defence has been criticised after a 2-2 draw with Russia [Images] in the side's last friendly. Klinsmann must decide whether to play Patrick Owomoyela at right back or bring in Bernd Schneider to give an inexperienced backline more authority.

Bastian Schweinsteiger secured his place in midfield with a two-goal performance against Russia and Lukas Podolski, the other exciting young prospect in the squad, should start up front alongside Kevin Kuranyi.

Australia have played well in the Confederations Cup on two previous occasions, reaching the final in 1997 and finishing third four years later.

Coach Frank Farina is hoping to have Mark Viduka fit enough after a hamstring injury to lead the forward line, with John Aloisi pushing hard to partner him.

"The Germans are in a similar position to us," said Aloisi from the team's hotel in Frankfurt.

"They haven't played proper international games for the last year or two so they'll be looking forward to showing everyone that they'll be ready for the World Cup. Let's just hope they're not ready against us."

The Confederations Cup continues until June 29. World champions Brazil [Images] are in Group B along with Mexico, Greece and Japan [Images].

Probable teams:

Germany: 1-Oliver Kahn; 19-Bernd Schneider, 3-Arne Friedrich, 17-Per Mertesacker, 16-Thomas Hitzlsperger; 10-Sebastian Deisler, 8-Torsten Frings, 13-Michael Ballack, 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger; 22-Kevin Kuranyi, 20-Lukas Podolski

Australia: 1-Mark Schwarzer; 2-Kevin Muscat, 3-Craig Moore, 6-Tony Popovic, 4-Lucas Neill; 7-Brett Emerton, 8-Josip Skoko, 10-Tim Cahill, 11-Scott Chipperfield; 19-John Aloisi, 9-Mark Viduka

Referee: Carlos Amarilla (Paraguay)

 



© Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
 Email  |    Print   |   Get latest news on your desktop

© 2008 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback