I would just like to say well done to the Socceroos in beating Qatar 3-0. This was Pim Verbeek's first competitive match in charge of the Socceroos...

Congratulations!!!

With the final round of qualification now sorted, I think we'd have to be quietly confident of making it to South Africa. By my reckoning Japan and us will be fighting it out for the top 2 places in Group A, with Uzbhekistan as the dark horses. Qatar and Bahrain shouldn't be too much trouble...

Go The Socceroos!

Socceroos mauled by Germany
MICHAEL LYNCH
June 14, 2010 - 8:23AM

Australia have a mountain to climb if they are to stay alive in this World Cup after their campaign opened in the worst possible fashion when Tim Cahill was sent off and Pim Verbeek�s team was completely outclassed 4-0 by a slick and skilful Germany.

The Germans handed out a footballing lesson and had enough chances to double their winning margin, such was their domination.

Australia must now win their next match against Ghana, victors over Serbia earlier in the day, to have any hope of staying alive in this tournament. On this effort that looks a forlorn hope.
Early blow ... Lukas Podolski celebrates scoring Germany's opening goal after only nine minutes.

Cahill, who had little impact on the match, was shown a straight red card in the 57th minute after a foul on Bastian Schweinsteiger when Australia were 2-0 down.

Cahill broke down in tears after the game as he was asked about his controversial sending off.

Moments earlier Schweinsteiger stopped, tapped him on the shoulder and said : "That was not a red card."
A clearly moved Cahill said: "Coming from him, that meant a lot."

The Socceroos never looked likely to threaten a German team which played with pace, power and precision and made good on their threat to rip Australia apart down the wings, particularly in the first half, when their movement and mobility caused constant problems for Australia�s ageing defence.

Australia�s best moment came just after kick off, when a Cahill header from a Luke Wilkshire corner was cleared and Richie Garcia�s shot from the rebound was blocked.

But that was as good as it got.

Germany soon found their rhythm, and took the lead after eight minutes when Lukas Podolski produced  a slashing drive to finish off a terrific move. Mesut Ozil rounded Jason Culina to set up Thomas Mueller whose cross was met first time by Podolski.

Germany took Australia apart down the right, with captain Phillip Lahm combining with Mueller and Ozil to create numerous opportunities.

Miroslav Klose put Germany two up in the 26th minute, bravely getting his head to a Lahm cross from the right before Mark Schwarzer�s flailing fist to nod home.

Ozil should have made it three when he sprung the Australian defensive line after Klose's through ball, his clever chip over Schwarzer just a little too casual, allowing Lucas Neill to get back and clear off the line.

Substitute Brett Holman shot wide shortly after the restart, but Australia�s agony only intensified following Cahill�s dismissal.

Mueller, who had taunted Australia on the wing, came inside to fire home in the 68th minute, and two minutes later substitute Cacau, set up by the hugely impressive Oezil, made it four and complete Australia�s humiliation.

Klose, top scorer in the 2006 World Cup, said: "Everything worked well and it is important that things went well in the first game.

"We have earned some respect. You could see that we had fun playing football out there. I know what I can do. I feel great."

Germany coach Joachim Loew was delighted too.

"I am very happy about the performance, we showed some quick passing and good speed," he said.

http://www.watoday.com.au/worl.....y-20100614-y6e4.html

It was dismal.  

It was the first time this combination has been used for Australia. Absolute craziness.
So many blokes playing out of position against one of the best-drilled teams in world sport. My jaw hit the floor when I saw the team structure come up on the screen this morning. Bloody hell, what was Verbeek thinking.
I thought it would be a given that Josh Kennedy would be up front, given the panic his height caused German defenders when he played in the Bundesliga.
And what were they thinking in having two slow defenders on the left (Chipperfield and Moore) when it's a known Germany favours quick ring-wing attacking forays. For some crazy reason we went in with six defensive midfielders (Chipperfield, Garcia, Valerie, Grella, Cullina, Wiltshire). How negative is that.
I'm glad Verbeek is moving on after this World Cup.

Well, that was embarrassing
Why do we have this Dutch guy coaching us, he seems to suck.

It was very disappointing... and what was with the Red Card for Cahill! There was nothing malicious in that at all, yellow at the most.

Hopefully New Zealand won't be as embarrassing tonight against Slovakia  ...though its on the cards  

I thought New Zealand did quite well and they should be proud of themselves. They're on a high right now but it would have been great if they were taking this momentum up against Paraguay next but unfortunately they've got the sleeping giant Italy who are just starting to wake up and are apparently a bit peeved they only beat Paraguay 1-0 so only god knows what they're gonna do to New Zealand.

So far the first round of matches seem to be a bit of a wait and watch affair, especially with the bigger teams going head to head first up. Even Portugal were extremely cautious and that must have been hell for them but I guess no one wants to lose the all important first match.

I hear this morning that it is good news for New Zealand! Congratulations NZ!

Let's hear what people think of this years Soccer World  Cup. Did Pim make the correct decision regarding players early Monday morning Australia time? Did Tim Cahill deserve a red card? Was there bias by the ref's? Give us your input on the Soccer World Cup.  

well....I admit to watching the first half of NZ v Slovakia  last night
but went to bed about half time when the score was 1/O and first thing I did this morning was turn on the computer to see who won .....a draw.

I watched the NZ game and really enjoyed it.  I hope they continue to do well.

I was so excited for New Zealand, it was like we won the whole thing! No one expected that, we were made fun of so much. So hah!

We're beating Aussie!

Quoted from Dara

We're beating Aussie!

Ohhhhh............... good point Dara

Quoted from Dara

I

We're beating Aussie!

How  ?? Slovakia aint no Germany