Cahill says Australia does not fear of Germany
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Australian soccer player Tim Cahill aimed to deliver a damning prognosis against Germany in Durban on Sunday, Australia's media reported on Saturday.
Germany has lately identified Cahill as a major threat to the team. With his two goals in Australia's corresponding match against Japan for 3-1 four years ago still burning in Cahill's brain, and in the consciousness of the Australian public, Cahill was happy to carry the cross of expectancy again.
"It's a massive compliment to me that the Germans have singled me out as somebody they fear and I'm aiming to show that there is something in what they say," Cahill told The Australian Online.
"They are a superb team and I know it's going to be hard to find holes in their defense to exploit.
"My main focal point at training right now is to work on some ways to get myself free to do some damage. To get some goalscoring opportunities, or to give some of our other players opportunities.
"They have a massive back four in terms of their stature and we're working hard on strategies to win the game...we feel it's not out of the question," he said.
Cahill, who completed only his second full training session on Friday since undergoing X-rays for suspected neck damage during last weekend's 3-1 loss to the United States, was not disturbed by dismissive gestures coming from the German camp over the last week.
"They have been talking us down and talking themselves up, but for us going in as underdogs is a positive," Cahill said.
"It doesn't bother us at all that they don't rate us. We will just do our own thing, stay compact defensively and hit them on the break when the opportunity arises.
"We're up against the sixth-ranked team in the world and we're under no illusions. They are always there or thereabouts but we're confident in our own ability," he added.
Meanwhile, injury-plagued midfielder Harry Kewell said he cannot do any more to prove he is fit to play against Germany.
According to The Australian Online, the attacking genius has been desperate for more than a cameo role in the Socceroos' World Cup opener in Durban, but might have to settle for nothing more than 30 minutes in his long-awaited return from a groin injury.
"I'm hoping for more than that," Kewell said.
"We're all fighting for these positions to be out there on the first day.
"He (coach Pim Verbeek) is the one who has the final decision on who plays. All I can be is 100 percent ready for him, same as every other player."
Kewell said he was accustomed to the constant scrutiny over his injuries. "I've had it for four or five years now. It's nothing new to me," he said.
Australia will open its FIFA World Cup campaign in its Group D clash against Germany on Sunday at the Durban Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
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