Kids Need a Big Scalp to Convince Doubters
June 21, 2005
It's a shame that both Germany and Argentina already have their places booked in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup before their clash on Thursday night in Nuremberg.
The final Group A games would have held a lot more promise if one of the two big teams in the group had to beat the other to progress. As it is, the top two face each other to see who wins the group and avoids the winner of Group B in the last four.
Commentators have been loath to praise the Germany team despite the two victories and seven goals which have put them on top of Group A. Many have accused them of lacking class and that the successes have not been convincing with a narrow 4-3 win against lowly Australia and a late 3-0 defeat of Tunisia.
On closer inspection, this Germany team is operating in a very traditional way and this Confederations Cup campaign is very similar to that of the 2002 World Cup, a campaign which saw Germany under-perform on their way to the final only to lose to a free-flowing, confident Brazil team at the peak of its powers.
Parallels with World Cup 2002
In Japan/Korea, Germany struggled to overcome the likes of Paraguay, the United States and South Korea -- all 1-0 wins -- to make the final. They thrashed Saudi Arabia 8-0 in their opening group game but drew 1-1 with the Republic of Ireland and managed a 2-0 win over Cameroon. There was very little in the way of real competition and Germany, on the whole, struggled but still managed to reach the World Cup final.
But Germany won the games that mattered in Japan/Korea and they are doing the same in the Confederations Cup where there are fewer games and fewer chances to get it right. Just as in the last World Cup, Germany have advanced with less than convincing performances but still find themselves in the last four of a major international tournament.
Big teams the biggest test for Germany
And just as in 2002, Germany's route to glory may very well be barred by one of the world's best teams. Argentina will be the Germans' first real test of the tournament and there will be no complacency despite the fact both are through the group stages. Germany will want to beat Argentina not just to get top spot and the chance to play the runners-up of Group B (which could be Brazil or Japan) but to prove that they can win against the top teams in the world when it matters.
Argentina will feel empowered by Mexico's defeat of Brazil and this will enhance their belief that they can win this trophy. As the current in-form South American team, Argentina will consider themselves favourites for the cup. But they must first do away with Germany. The 2-2 draw in a friendly this year showed that the Germans can raise their game but whether they can raise it enough to beat the Argentineans remains to be seen.
The match on Thursday evening may be the dress rehearsal for the final if Germany and Argentina can overcome Mexico, Brazil or Japan in the semi-finals. A win for either side will give a psychological advantage to the victors.
Australia, Tunisia playing for national pride
In the other Group A game, Australia and Tunisia will play it out for the pride factor of finishing third in the group after two defeats. Neither will want to return home after Thursday night without any points on the board. Neither team can feel ashamed with their performances; Australia have taken both Germany and Argentina to the wire while Tunisia have showed a flowing style of soccer that offers great potential for the future.
However, it is a consolation game and the result will mean nothing in the context of the whole tournament. This won't stop two proud teams going for it for themselves and the fans.