Inter Milan striker Lukas Podolski scored an 81st minute equalizer to rescue a 2-2 draw for World Champions Germany against Asian champions Australia on Wednesday. Joachim Low was not happy with the efforts of his players and said that they lacked the clinical edge in the entire game.
Australia, who were crowned as an Asian Champions in January, gave Germany a run for their money from the start itself. The Socceroos put Germany defenders in trouble on numerous occasions as there was no co-ordination between the trio of Badstubder, H wedes and Shkodran Mustafi as they were playing together for the first time in their career.
Germany coach Joachim Low started the game with Holger Badstuber and Ilkay Gundogan, who made a come-back after lengthy injury lay-offs, but the world champions delivered a largely unimpressive performance.
Marco Reus gave Germany a lead in the 17t minute but James Troisi’s fine header brought Australia level in the 40th minute. Australian captain Mile Jedinak then put the visitors ahead with a brilliant free-kick in the 50th minute and put Germany under pressure but Inter Milan striker Lukas Podolski came to the rescue of Joachim Lowa s men and saved the day for them.
Germany coach Joachim Low said after the match that he is not particularly happy but they will recover in time for a game against Georgia.
“The first half was pretty good for us, in the second half, the clinical edge was missing,” Low said. “In the beginning, we made some good chances, but in the second half we couldn’t find our structure.
“We were not able to implement our plan the way we wanted to implement it. We know we have to beat Georgia in the European Championship qualifiers on Sunday.”
Australia coach Ange Postecoglu said that he was delighted with this hard fought draw.
“I am very proud of the players, not just because of the result,” Postecoglu said. “In the first half we were always dangerous. It was a fantastic performance from us.
“It is a 10 in the morning in Australia, people will go to work in a good mood.”