Verbeek searches for answers

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14 June 2010-AFP

Lost...Australia coach Pim Verbeek faces a mountainous task after his side was flogged 4-0 by Germany. (Getty)

Australia coach Pim Verbeek struggled to find any positives from his side's 4-0 drubbing at the hands of a totally dominant Germany in its opening World Cup Group D encounter.

Nightmare start for Socceroos

Germany v Australia

Verbeek could only look on in horror as Germany scored through Lukas Podolski (eighth minute), Miroslav Klose (26th), Thomas Mueller (67th) and Brazil-born striker Cacau (70th).

As numerous other goalscoring chances were squandered, key Australian midfielder Tim Cahill was shown a straight red in the 56th minute for a rash challenge on Bastian Schweinsteiger to further complicate matters.

"We're very disappointed about the result," Verbeek said. "But you have to be fair, in the first 30-35 minutes they outplayed us, especially in midfield.

"The way we handled that was definitely not good. And to concede a goal after nine minutes, you know it's going to be a tough game.

"We wanted to use our pace up front, but we never had the ball. They were better.

"Germany are one of the candidates to win the World Cup and they showed that tonight.

"In the second half, we were much better but then we had the red card with 30 minutes to go," said the Dutchman, who refused to be drawn on whether Cahill's tackle merited a straight red.

"I haven't seen it so I can't say. It was probably a very tough tackle."

Verbeek said his team faced a challenging turn-around to prepare for its next Group D game against Ghana, a 1-0 victor over Serbia, on 20 June in Rustenburg.

Australia rounds off its group games against Serbia in Nelspruit.

"The reality is now that in the next two games we have to win, a draw is not enough," he said.

"That's what we're going to have to do, that's what we're going to do."

"Our next game is a final. We have to learn from this game. We have six days to recover physically and mentally," he added.

"We have six days to find out who's the best starting XI to beat Ghana."

Verbeek also did not seek to deflect blame for the crushing defeat, the worst possible way for the Socceroos to kick off their third World Cup campaign.

"As coach, you're always responsible. I never blame any of my players. I have no problems saying it's my responsibility," he said, also trying to allay fears that his attack would not remain toothless.

"They are one of the better teams in the world. It's not embarrassing we can't score. We have to score in the next two games, that's for sure."