Low urges Germans to forget rout of Aussies

GERMANY coach Joachim Low wants his players to forget their four-goal rout of Australia on Sunday night and begin concentrating on the next World Cup game against Serbia.

Goals from Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Mueller and Cacau helped Low’s side put on the best display of the tournament so far.

A team usually known for its workmanlike approach, Germany showed plenty of flair against the Socceroos in Durban – but Low insists it is all history now.

“This was just our first match and we know Australia is not the ultimate benchmark,” he said.

“There will be more difficult opponents to play against and there is no need for us to get carried away.”

Low could have few complaints about a game in which his players showed a lot of energy and always looked one step ahead of the Australians.

“Every player at a World Cup is highly motivated,” he said. “From the first day, we knew we had to work very hard.

“The World Cup is the greatest tournament you can ever play in.

“Some of our players had not had much experience at international level but this is a first success and will no doubt give the team self-confidence.

“My players were motivated from the start and they executed my tactics.”

Germany, who top Group D on goal difference from Ghana, will next go up against a wounded Serbia on Friday in Port Elizabeth after Radomir Antic’s side went down 1-0 to the Africans yesterday.

“Serbia is a strong defensive team,” said Low.

“They are a physical side that lost its first game and will be determined to bounce back against us.

“We need to remain focused.”

While Low must keep his players’ feet on the ground, Australia coach Pim Verbeek has to lift his team’s spirits after their humiliating World Cup opener.

“We have to turn it around,” said Verbeek. “That is what we have do to.

“Our next game is a final and we have to learn from this game and do much better than we did against Germany.”

The Socceroos were 2-0 down by half-time and Verbeek knows his side must show more concentration on Saturday when they take on Ghana in Rustenburg.

“The only way to get a result is to use our pace up front,” said Verbeek.

“We didn’t play compact and we lost control against Germany. We cannot do that against Ghana.”

To complicate matters for the green and gold, though, Everton star Tim Cahill will miss the next game after his red card against Germany last night.

“We have to score in the next two games,” said Verbeek. “It is as simple as that. We have to win our remaining group games.

“We have to find out which players we will need to win the next games.

“I have five days to find out what the best selection is for Ghana.”