To see World Cup fans out and about in Sydney overnight...
 

 

The Socceroos were humiliated 4-0 by the three-time winner here on Sunday night as their defence was torn apart time and time again by Germany's experienced strikeforce of Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose with help from midfield playmakers Mesut Ozil and Thomas Mueller.

And to cap off a disastrous night, their most important player Tim Cahill was sent off in the second half after copping a straight red card for a lunging tackle - for what appeared only a yellow card offence - and will now be suspended for the must-win clash against Ghana on Saturday.

This disappointing defeat - which was in stark contrast to the Socceroos' heroic 3-1 win over Japan in the corresponding game of the 2006 World Cup - means Australia no longer has any room for error in its 2010 campaign.

With Ghana beating Serbia 1-0 in the other group game earlier in the day, it means the Socceroos will be eliminated if they lose to the African nation in their next match in Rustenberg given that Germany will be heavily favoured to beat Serbia in the other match.

Such a scenario would mean Australia's third match with Serbia would then become a 'dead rubber' for both teams with only pride on the line.

While it will be of little consolation to the thousands of Socceroos fans who packed this stadium that Germany was the most impressive team of the tournament so far, Australia's performance was simply embarrassing.

The team that was so competitive against the might of Italy and Brazil four years ago under Guus Hiddink looked a distant memory as the Socceroos paid dearly for their inability to find new talent - particularly in defence - since the last World Cup.

Incredibly, after two-and-a-half years in charge, coach Pim Verbeek gambled on his team selection switching Jason Culina from his usual position in the centre of midfield to the left while Cahill - who usually plays in that dangerous floating role in midfield - was forced to play as a lone striker.

As a result he became increasingly frustrated at the lack of service, which ultimately led to his red card.

This was after Verbeek opted to leave out both of Australia's recognised strikers in the underdone Harry Kewell - who did not even come on a substitute despite the Socceroos' dire predicament which perhaps indicates his true level of fitness - and Josh Kennedy from his starting line-up.

However the usual defence of keeper Mark Schwarzer, left-back Scott Chipperfield, centre-backs Lucas Neill and Craig Moore and right-back Luke Wilkshire was intact but it was this area of the park in which Australia was most exposed by the Germans.

Those five players, with an average age of 33, were made to look old and slow by a youthful German side as Mueller repeatedly cut open the Australian defence down the right while young gun Ozil did likewise in the middle as Podolksi was just as dangerous down the left.

Skipper Neill, in particular, looked hopelessly out of his depth in the centre of defence as he kept repeatedly playing the Germans on-side by his poor positioning, which would not have been as costly in the position where he beganhis career at right-back.

Neill played Germany on-side for its opening goal as Ozil played Mueller in behind the defence in the eighth minute with his delightful cut-back then smashed home by Podolski giving Schwarzer no chance as Neill appealed in vain for off-side.

That was Podolksi's 39th goal in 74 games for Germany - what Australia would do for a striker with such a record - while Klose should have doubled his team's lead in the 24th minute when he blazed wide after the Australian defence was again cut open.

But the man who became the only player in history to score five goals at consecutive World Cups four years ago did not have to wait long for his 50th goal from 97 appearances for his country when he headed home two minutes later after a perfect cross from Germany captain Phillip Lahm.

It could have been so different for the Socceroos had shock selection Richard Garcia taken a great chance in the third minute when the ball deflected to him with the goal gaping after Cahill's header from an early corner caused a rare moment of panic from the Germany defence.

But you don't get two chances against Germany and after that brief moment of hope, it was all one-way traffic as the youthful German side - with just two players aged over 30 in its starting line-up compared to seven for the Socceroos - did as it pleased.

Germany was just as dominant after half-time with the impressive Mueller smashing home another one when unmarked in the penalty box in the 68th minute while substitute Cacau scored within minutes of coming on two minutes later as suspicions amongst the world's media - as opposed to the blinkered patriotism back home - that Australia would be the worst team in this group appeared to be confirmed.

Germany: 4 (Podolski 8, Klose 26, Mueller 68, Cacau 70)
Australia: 0

Crowd: 62,660 - At Moses Mahbida Stadium, Durban

To see World Cup fans out and about in Sydney overnight...