Socceroos boss glum after Germany defeat

The Socceroos shocked the below-strength Germans 2-1 in Moenchengladbach in 2011.

Postecoglou’s Australia bowed out in Brazil with three defeats from group matches against Chile, Netherlands and Spain – prompting a period of supposed transition that has already reaped handsome rewards.

“But it was encouraging we were able to do the things we wanted in the second half – we just need to put it all together now”.

“He could have held on to that ball but he is a good goalkeeper no doubt about it”, Loew said.

“It’s just disappointing. I didn’t come here to lose games”.

In many ways it was a quintessential Australian showing against one of football’s big boys – a costly start and then a courageous comeback that ultimately fell short.

There was to be no off-the-canvas third for Postecoglou’s side, which finished stronger but left themselves too much to do.

“(In) the second half, we had a lot of the ball and showed we were probably the team on top of the game”, he said.

“They got in behind a few times and tended to counter attack against them”.

“It seemed to work better”.

Ange Postecoglou faced fresh questions over his tactical approach after Germany unpicked Australia but Mathew Ryan did not blame his coach.

The Germans were fortunate not to concede when the unmarked Trent Sainsbury headed wide from close range after a free-kick, but they had no such luck in the 41st minute when Rogic levelled after all with a half-volley from the edge of the box, Leno failing to keep out the Celtic man’s attempt.

Kruse admitted that the team are at a loss to explain the disparity of success within matches.

“It will help us reach our goals next year or afterwards and it helps to make our players better. They’re also moving in their forward positions”, he said.

The Australian threat persisted but Germany clung on to collect three points in the Fisht Stadium, where around 20,000 seats were empty.

Coach Joachim Low has already confirmed Bayer Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno will start in goal, ahead of Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kevin Trapp, while Liverpool midfielder Emre Can and Leverkusen youngster Julian Brandt could also be in the first XI.

Tom Rogic, briefly, restored parity with a goal against the run of play, before Leon Goretzka made it 3-1 immediately after the break.

The win was Germany’s second against Australia at the FIFA Confederations Cup following their 4-3 win over the Socceroo in the group stage of the 2005 edition in Germany.

It was more poor goalkeeping from German custodian Leno again, as he spilled out a shot from Rogic straight to Tomi Juric to net.

A late substitute against Germany, Australia’s Tim Cahill could well bring the experience he has acquired in 98 worldwide appearances to bear against the Indomitable Lions.