Australia come from behind to beat Germany

The Australian national team have produced an historic victory over Germany, coming from a goal down to win 2-1 in Monchengladbach.

The Socceroos had been beaten three times previously by the Germans, most recently by a 4-0 margin at the 2010 World Cup in Durban, South Africa, but were able to exact revenge on Die Mannschaft.

The world’s number three ranked team opened the scoring in the 26th minute through Mario Gomez but against the run of play, the Australians hit back twice in the second half thanks to goals from David Carney and Luke Wilkshire – the second from the penalty spot.

It is a great win for Holger Osieck and his men with the German tactician getting yet another positive result with this group of players who showed resilience and grit to fight it out until the end.

International friendly
Germany: 1 (Mario Gomez 26’)
Australia: 2 (David Carney 61’, Luke Wilkshire (p) 61’)

Venue: Borussia-Park, Monchengladbach
Referee: Stephane Lannoy (FRA)
Yellow cards: GER - Christian Trasch 88’, Miroslav Klose 89’
AUS - Mile Jedinak 17’, Matt McKay 45’

The home side were on top early with a few half-chances before Australia’s Brett Holman tried his luck with a left-footed shot from an angle which came moments before Harry Kewell had a goalward shot blocked.

Just before the 25-minute mark, Germany looked likely to score when Lukas Podolski struck from outside the area after a free-kick but the ball flew over the top right corner prior to the opening goal of the game just over a minute later.

GOAL The 26th minute saw the Germans hit the front when Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez received a neat pass from Andre Schurrle and slotted past Mark Schwarzer with a lofted shot into the top corner to make it 1-0.

After the goal, Germany had a few further chances from Schurrle and Marcel Schmelzer before Australia had a series of corners just prior to the break but could bring nothing of it.

The second half was much the same as the first with Germany on top in the way of scoring chances although the Aussies had a similar amount of possession but Joachim Low’s side should have doubled their lead when Podolski missed the target in the 51st minute when he should have done better.

As the game progressed pass the hour-mark, Australia got themselves right back into proceedings when they grabbed a leveler in the 61st minute. GOAL The equaliser came from out of nowhere with Matt McKay supplying a through ball to left-back David Carney who finished neatly past Wiese for his sixth international goal.

GOAL And just over a minute later, the Socceroos were awarded a penalty when Kewell was brought down in the area with French referee Stephane Lannoy pointing to the spot. Luke Wilkshire stepped up to the plate and sent it straight down the centre past Tim Wiese and into the back of the net to give his side an unlikely lead.

Schwarzer came up with a vital save when Schurrle shot on goal in the 69th minute almost 10 minutes before substitute Miroslav Klose came inches away from restoring parity but pressure from Sasa Ognenovski and the experience of Schwarzer to stand his ground forced the veteran, making his 109th international appearance, to toe-poke wide.

Germany appeared as though they would craft an equaliser before the visiting side got the upper hand and managed to hold out for a famous victory despite a late penalty call which actually brought about a yellow card for Klose for diving in the area.

Starting Line-Ups

Germany
Tim Wiese (gk), Arne Friedrich, Mats Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer, Bastian Schweinsteiger (Kroos 65’), Sven Bender, Christian Trasch, Mario Gomez (Klose 73’), Lukas Podolski, Thomas Muller (Gotze 65’), Andre Schurrle

Subs - Manuel Neuer (gk), Toni Kroos (65’), Mario Gotze (65’), Miroslav Klose (73’)

Australia
Mark Schwarzer (gk), Luke Wilkshire, Sasa Ognenovski, Lucas Neill, David Carney, Brett Emerton, Carl Valeri, Mile Jedinak, Matt McKay, Brett Holman (McGrath 90’), Harry Kewell (Kruse 80’)

Subs - Mitch Langerak (gk), Robbie Kruse (80’), Brent McGrath (90’)