A promising start from Australia was wiped-out in one movement when Lukas Podolski beat Mark Schwarzer from the left of goal to put Germany up 1-0 in Durban.
Lukas Podolski Puts Germany Up 1-0 Over Australia In 9th Minute
The movement started with a through ball from Mesut Ozil to Thomas Muller, who ran onto the ball to the right of goal and cut a pass back across the area. The ball found Podolski, who power a shot at Schwarzer, who got a right hand on the ball only to see the shot continue into the net.
After nine minutes Germany was up 1-0, seemingly throwing Pim Verbeek’s plans into chaos.
Verbeek started a very conservative lineup, keeping his striker Joshua Kennedy on the bench and playing a team which, with Tim Cahill as the lone forward, looked set-up to try and hold-out for counter-attacks. Mark Bresciano also missed out on the start, with Blackburn’s Brett Emerton getting the nod.
Now Verbeek has two of his more talented players in attack on the bench, with the Socceroos down after eight minutes.
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