The Socceroos continue to earn the respect of the football world, holding world champions Germany to a 2-2 draw in Kaiserslautern this morning.
Despite a lacklustre beginning and four Australian attempts at goal, Germany opened the scoring with a goal to Dortmund star Marco Reus in the 17th minute.
The undermanned Socceroos equalised towards the end of the first half, with a cross from Nathan Burns meeting Asian Cup hero James Troisi in the penalty box, allowing him to head it through with 5 minutes left in the first half.
The Aussies pulled ahead early in the second half, with Mile Jedinak side-footing a free kick past Germany’s Ron-Robert Zieler, causing bleary-eyed Aussies to spill their Weet-Bix everywhere with the hope of a huge upset.
Ange Postecoglou’s side had a number of opportunities for a third, however Germany weren’t without their own chances, and managed to draw level with the Aussies in the 81st minute thanks to a clean goal from Lukas Podolski.
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Postecoglou expressed his pride in the side after the match, telling Fox Sports, “We threw some big challenges to some of our boys today and they were up to it”.
Even without the injured Robbie Kruse, Matthew Spiranovic, Massimo Luongo and Trent Sainsbury, and with Tim Cahill looking towards retirement, Postegoclou is upbeat for the future.
“There’s no limits. The Asian Cup was the beginning of something and tonight was another indication we’re heading in a good direction.”
