The 2010 FIFA World Cup Thread #3/Sports Sunday Thread #3 For 6/13/10: German Deliver A Blitzkrieg To Australia

Photo from Getty Images

Final Analysis:
Well, that is what it was today, a Blitzkrieg from the Germans today in their opener, as their young future potential stars in Mueller and Ozil, along with struggling forces Podolski and Klose, all lit up a German backline that just looked painful slow today, especially Neill and Moore.

And of course, the red card on Cahill, potentially ending Australia's hopes at advancing for good in this tournament, was a terrible call. It came from behind, yes? But was it cynical? Not at all.

A warning with the yellow was the way to call that for the Everton man, and instead, it compounded a miserable night and maybe tournament for all the supporters of the Socceroos.

The Man of the Match could have been many guys for Germany, but it's Podolski, and well deserved:

The match review.

And the Group D standings (Country, Points, Goal difference):

Germany 3 +4
Ghana 3 +1
Serbia 0 -1
Australia 0 -4

The Match Thread Archive folks:

The lineups, and Loew goes with Klose and Podolski:

GER: Neuer, Friedrich, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Podolski, Klose, Muller, Badstuber, Lahm, Mertesacker

OZ: Schwarzer, Neill, Moore, Cahill, Culina, Emerton, Wilkshire, Chipperfield, Grella, Valeri, Garcia.

Prediction: With the decision to go up front with Lose and Podolski, who have struggled, I really think this will be a 1-1 all draw.

The Live feed is here folks.

From Getty Images and Fifa.com

The 1st analysis: Australia had a chance to score in the opening minutes, and didn't convert when Germany where still nervous. And from that point on, Australia's slow backline, especially Neill and Moore in the middle, got found out badly. Podolski just shakes off his terrible season with a great strike off of terrific work from Thomas Mueller, who is already just a nice competent player at such a young age.

And though Klose was done a massive favor by Schwarzer's uncharacteristically poor decision to not get the ball away and get a second goal for Deutschland, the confidence from him still isn't fully there for me, especially after that mess he made of that first chance laid to him on a platter.

Still though, some leaky signs in that German backline for me against an Australian attack which isn't getting much from Harry Kewell, who could be a little done right now himself.

And Oliver Key with a great reminder on Klose, for us all :