Postecoglou relishing Socceroos’ Germany test
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany: Australia coach Ange Postecoglou is urging the Socceroos to take their opportunity to build on their Asian Cup triumph against world champions Germany in today’s friendly.
Germany host Australia in Kaiserslautern with Postecoglou’s side hoping to emulate their 2011 shock when they poached a 2-1 victory in Moenchengladbach.
A David Carney second- half goal and a Luke Wilkshire penalty sealed the Socceroos first win over Germany at the fourth attempt, but four years on Australia arrived in south-west Germany without talisman forward Tim Cahill.
The 35-year- old has been ruled out of the friendlies against Germany and Macedonia with an Achilles problem and with Western Sydney Wanderers forward Tomi Juric struggling to be fit, Australia are short on options up front.
Utrecht’s Tommy Oar may be recalled or James Troisi, Nathan Burns and Mathew Leckie, who plays for German second- division side Ingolstadt, could form a threeman attack. Uncapped 19-year- old Lazio forward Chris Ikonomidis is also an option from the bench in an inexperienced squad.
Injuries aside, Australia are buoyed by their Asian Cup success in January, when they beat South Korea 2-1 in extra time in the Sydney final, which Postecoglou is eager to build on.
“The Asian Cup went well and it has hopefully given us a good foundation,” he said.
“Injuries are part and parcel of football, but we want to use the game to try and broaden our depth and throw in a few guys who don’t have that much experience.
“The fact we have a few guys missing means we’ve been forced to do that.”
Germany are in the process of rebuilding their World Cupwinning side by bedding in a three- man defence and captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to make his first appearance since the World Cup final.
Germany coach Joachim Loew will also welcome back defensive midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and defender Holger Badstuber who have both missed at least the last 18 months of international football with injury. The world champions have stumbled through recent Euro 2016 qualifiers.
A shock first defeat to Poland was followed by a home draw with Ireland last October before they routed minnows Gibraltar to leave them joint second in their group ahead of Sunday’s qualifying match against Georgia.
Heavy 6- 0 drubbings at the hands of both Brazil and France in 2013 dented Australian confidence and they finished last in their World Cup group and Postecoglou is particularly keen to avoid another moral-sapping defeat.
“We played the likes of France and Brazil and it wasn’t very enjoyable, so you have to perform, but this is a fantastic opportunity for the players.” — AFP