Germany vs Australia

I'm an Englishman, so this was a tricky game to watch in terms of supporting anyone. In the end I quite enjoyed seeing the Ockers get a pasting.

The first thing to say is that I did Guus Hiddink a mass disservice in claiming that he was lucky in getting Australia through the first round in 2006: this match suggested that he was a miracle worker in getting this same group of players to function as a competitive unit. The Australian defence was atrocious throughout, especially the first half hour, with Ozil given unbelievable time and space in front of the back four.

Ozil looked that rarity, a bright, creative, German number 10. More used to the midfield general type in the mould of Overath, Mattheus or Ballack, Ozil makes Germany a very different proposition and will be worth following in the tournament. I very much doubt however that he will be as loosely marked again as he was last night; Annan and KP may well look to put him out of action fairly sharpish in the last group match.

The Germans were great though; Schweinsteiger dictated play from deep, Muller worked tirelessly, Lahm was great getting forward (as usual), and Klose scored a header. Khedira and Ozil both made the step-up, and for once, the Germans look like a team well worth watching.

The Ockers didn't do themselves any favours with the selection of Garcia as a lone centre forward, but they were simply outclassed. I wouldn't make too much of the absence of Cahill from their next match either; Ghana look to have too much anyway.