Germany's efficient demolition of a very poor Australian team prompted a hugely negative response from media and fans alike down under this week with most venting their frustration at the outgoing Coach Pim Verbeek.

 

While most didn't expect the Socceroos to take three points from the game, Verbeek's selection and formation was baffling to say the least and has seen Verbeek fiercly critisized from all quarters.

 

Big strides have been made behind the scenes in the last ten years but Sunday's opening game was a painful reminder of how far the Australian game still sits behind many of the teams currently competing in South Africa.

 

North Korea's performance against Brazil is evidence that if you're collectively organised with sharp players playing in their natural positions who are comfortable with the formation, you can more than hold your own against some of the best in the world.

 

Verbeek's reluctance to integrate younger players into the ageing starting eleven could well result in Australia being on the wrong end of a few more heavy defeats in the years to come.

 

Germany has reached the quarter-finals of the last seven World Cup finals, usually with a good number of experienced old-stagers who know all about what's required to progress in these tournaments. However, they have always done so with one eye on the future and inserted their best young talent amongst these players to ensure they are given the opportunity to fulfil their potential and gain invaluable experience at the highest level.

 

What was particularly impressive with the very youthful German side this time around was their vibrant passing fluidity that frankly embarrassed some so called "experienced" Australian players. Ninety-two percent pass completion, four goals, many more missed opportunities and you still sensed that they were performing within themselves and could crank up the tempo at anytime.

 

In contrast, Australia lacked pace, ideas, shape and most disturbingly until Holman's introduction there was little in the way of desire and craft to at least try and engineer an opportunity and take the game to their opponents.

 

It is the youngest ever German squad to take part in the finals and whilst they may lack that added ingredient of experience that could help them go all the way, their fearless approach was perhaps a lesson to how Verbeek should approach the next two matches.

 

Many of Verbeek's preferred starting eleven are the wrong side of 30 and whilst players such as Mark Schwarzer are invaluable to the current team, surely this should be combined with sharper, fitter, hungrier players whose enthisiasm and energy would lift the side in this tournament whilst providing them with fantastic experience for the future.

 

I can't see either of the next two performances being worse than Sunday's but my hope is that Australia at least shows the world that it is worthy of it's place in the last 32 and in doing so Mr Verbeek gives some of the next gereration the opportunity to benefit from game time on the world's biggest stage. You never know, they may even cause an upset in doing so...