Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger, left, is expected to take on a leadership role for Germany at the World Cup. Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger, left, is expected to take on a leadership role for Germany at the World Cup. (John MacDougall/Getty Images)

Day 3, Match 3

Germany vs. Australia, Group D

Date and Location

June 13, Durban Stadium, Durban

Broadcast details

Live on CBC and CBCSports.ca (2 p.m. ET). Consult CBC's full broadcast schedule.

What's at stake

No other team has suffered through more injuries leading up to the World Cup than Germany, and it will be up to head coach Joachim Loew to micro-manage his lineup so the world's most efficient football machine can begin its course to a fourth world title. On the other hand, Pim Verbeek will need a positive result to keep the Australian press, and their sharp knives, at bay. The Aussie media has heavily criticized Verbeek's squad selection and pre-tournament "we're not going to win the World Cup" comments.

Rogers Pre-game Show

Watch the Rogers Pre-game show 30 minutes before kick-off as our panel of soccer experts provide up-to-the-minute news from South Africa on this match.

To watch the show, CLICK HERE

Injuries and suspensions

No injury concerns for either team.

Player to watch for Germany

Bastian Schweinsteiger — Although some would argue Toni Kroos, after his impressive performances with Bayer Leverkusen, might have been a better choice to replace Michael Ballack's distribution role in the centre of midfield, Bastian Schweinsteiger is a logical choice given his skill, experience and versatility. The 25-year-old will be expected to keep his wits about him throughout the tournament as he takes on a leadership role.

Player to watch for Australia

Tim Cahill — The scorer of his country's first two goals at a World Cup and a consummate performer for club and country, Tim Cahill is Australia's midfield dynamo. Feisty and aggressive, the 30-year-old loves to get in-between defenders and fight to score a goal with any part of his body.

Key matchup

Per Mertesacker vs. Joshua Kennedy — It appears Pim Verbeek will opt to a field five-man midfield, pointed by one striker and Nagoya Grampus forward Joshua Kennedy looks like he will have to shoulder the goal scoring expectation up front. He will, undoubtedly, run into a wall named Per Mertesacker — a six-foot-six Goliath, himself responsible for muscling offenders out of German territory.

German perspective

"The decisive moment is the first World Cup game against Australia and I am happy to be judged on that. Since arriving in the training camp, I have done two training sessions a day and worked really hard. I did not really take these games as a yardstick. I am still right in the middle of preparation." — striker Miroslav Klose

Australian perspective

"For younger, talented players, it's very important that there are always a few experienced players in the team. They can take them by the hand, and they can say 'OK, this is happening' to prepare them, or if it's not going well, to support them." — coach Pim Verbeek

World Cup head-to-head

Germany thrashed Australia 3-0 in the Socceroos' first appearance at the World Cup in West Germany 1974.

  • Games played:1
  • Germany: 1 win, 0 losses, 0 draws
  • Australia: 0 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws
  • Goals: Germany 3, Australia 0
  • Last match: After beating Chile 1-0 to open the 1974 tournament, West Germany spanked Australia 3-0.

All-time head-to-head

  • Games played:2
  • Germany: 2 wins, 0 losses, 0 draws
  • Australia: 0 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws
  • Goals: Germany 7, Australia 3
  • Last match: Germany defeated Australia 4-3 at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup