2010 World Cup Group D: Germany vs. Australia
By Ty Duffy
The major German questions are replacing Ballack in holding midfield and finding someone to score goals. Normally reliable Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose scored only five goals combined in 52 Bundesliga appearances.
Previews for Australia focus on how fit, robust and impressive the surprise Aussies were in 2006. They don’t focus on the players being four years older and woefully out of club form, the absence of a credible striker to fill Mark Viduka’s ample shorts and the fact they’re not coached by Guus Hiddink. To compete, Australia needs great performances from Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and Everton talisman Tim Cahill.
The German team, uncharacteristically, is not very physical. Conceivably, the Aussies could intimidate them, though it’s hard to predict anything but a modest German win. [Photo via Icon]