Germany show their class

THE phrase ruthless efficiency is never far away when discussing Germany at major tournaments, and Joachim Low’s men showed those qualities in abundance to dispose of Australia last night – and demonstrated why they can win the World Cup for a fourth time.

The final scoreline was 4-0 but it could have been so much more had Low’s young side taken a fraction of the numerous chances they created, although Australians will point to the harsh red card for Tim Cahill early in the second-half.

But it was 2-0 at that stage anyway, and the way they ran through Australia’s defence, which had served them so well in qualifying, must have sent warning signals to the rest of the teams here in South Africa.

Most worried may be England, for if they fail to win their remaining matches, they may end as runners-up in Group C, and face Germany in the round of 16.

And who would want to run into a side in this sort of form?

With captain Michael Ballack missing though injury, Germany’s average is under 25, but what they lack in experience they more than make up for in youthful exuberance and skill.

Low said beforehand that his team is ready for anything thrown at them in South Africa, and captain Philipp Lahm described this as the best German side he has known in almost a decade.

But ever the perfectionist, Low was not completely satisfied afterwards: “We were dominant from the beginning to the end, but it was not perfect – there is room for improvement. Australia are not the ultimate benchmark.”

Germany got off to a flying start, after a couple of early half-chances for Australia, when Lukas Podolski put them ahead in the eighth minute. Mesut Ozil, who looked dangerous in the space between midfield and attack, set Thomas Muller clear on the right, and the winger cut the ball back from the byline for Podolski to power in a shot that Mark Schwarzer got a hand to but could not stop.

Miroslav Klose, the World Cup’s top scorer four years ago, scored one goal but missed a hatful of chances before being replaced in the closing stages. His first miss came in the 23rd minute, when he shot high and wide from close range, but he made up for it by doubling the German lead two minutes later.

Lahm delivered a teasing cross from the right and Klose got his head between Lucas Neill and Schwarzer to nod the ball into the net.

And 10 minutes into the second half, Australia’s already slim chances of getting back into the game disappeared when Cahill was sent off. The Everton midfielder certainly fouled Bastian Schweinsteiger from behind, but the red card looked harsh.

Inevitably, Germany took advantage and went forward in numbers looking to kill off Australia. Klose went close again, missing simple chance from inside the box twice in the space of 10 minutes.

But there was no stopping the Germans, and Muller made it 3-0 in the 68th minute, running on to Podolski’s pass and turning one defender on the edge of the area before shooting in off the inside of the far post.

Cacau then went on to replace Klose, and within a minute scored to make it four, firing home Ozil’s cross from the left in the 70th minute. From then on it was a case of damage limitation as Australia tried to keep down a score that was already in a World Cup. It was blow to their renowned optimism, but for Germany, it was a perfect start to the tournament.