Asian Champions Australia Ready for World Champions Germany

Kaiserslautern Germany will forever be remembered as the place Australia secured its first World Cup goal and more importantly first World Cup win after that a dramatic ending against Japan in 2006. Now more than eight years later and the Socceroos return to the scene of such joy looking to create another amazing memory when they take on the current World Champions. Their March 25 match with Germany may only be a friendly but the Aussies will be aiming to upset their more fancied opponents and continue what’s been an incredible start to 2015. They’ve done so before stunning the Germans 2-1 in Germany in another friendly in 2011. It’s Australia first game since being crowned Asian Champions and their first step on the path to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Some Changes in Socceroos Squad

Only five players who were involved in Australia’s Asian Cup triumph haven’t been named in the squad to face Germany. In form Reading Goalkeeper Adam Federici replaces Adelaide United shot stopper Eugene Galekovic in the group while Terry Antonis has Olyroos duties. Injury means Chris Herd and Robbie Kruse will miss the match and of course stalwart Mark Bresciano has hung up the boots. Aaron Mooy, Chris Ikonomidis, Tarek Elrich and Luke DeVere are the other uncapped players who’ve joined Federici in the Socceroos squad. Ange Postecoglou has proven he gives players a chance to impress but even if the new boys don’t taste the action, being in camp with their compatriots will be an eye opening experience.

Another Upset on the Cards?

The fixture will take place nearly four years to the day the Socceroos surprised their opponents with that one goal victory in Mönchengladbach. Matt Mackay and Mile Jedinak are the only two men in Australia’s current squad who featured in that match. The latter also played in the Socceroos last competitive outing against Germany which took place at the 2010 World Cup. Tim Cahill also featured in that game, though he’d rather forget he did, after being sent off in a 4 nil defeat.

Both Teams With One Eye on Qualifiers

The world’s number one ranked nation will use the meeting to prepare for their next European Championship Qualifier against Georgia four days later. The Germans have had something of a World Cup hangover and sit second in their Qualification Group, behind Poland and level on points with Scotland and Ireland. The match up with Germany is Australia’s penultimate game before they play their first World Cup Qualifier in June. The Aussies though will be back in action just a few days later when they take on FYR Macedonia in another friendly on March 30.

Australia will enter the contest as underdogs as the ruthless Germans look to rediscover their groove. But don’t expect Joachim Loew’s team to have it all its own way against a solid Socceroos side.