SOCHI: Germany’s inexperienced side were given a fright by Australia at the Confederations Cup on Monday, holding on to win its Group ‘B’ opener 3-2 after goalkeeper Bernd Leno gifted the Asian champions both goals.

Only two members of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad started the game in Sochi and, while the team were dynamic going forward, they was vulnerable at the back.

Lars Stindl marked his tournament debut with a goal after five minutes that was cancelled out by Tommy Rogic when the Australia forward fired the ball under Leno.

Julian Draxler, an unused substitute in the 2014 World Cup final win over Argentina, restored Germany’s lead from the penalty spot before halftime.

Although Leon Goretzka extended the German lead three minutes into the second half, another blunder by Leno ensured it was a nervy conclusion to the game in the Black Sea resort.

A shot from Rogic through a crowded penalty area was spilled by the Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper and Tomi Juric stabbed the rebound into the net.

The Australian threat persisted but Germany clung on to collect three points in the Fisht Stadium, where around 20,000 seats were empty.

“Obviously, we’ll have to improve,” Draxler said, “but we will do that.”

For Germany, the eight-team World Cup warm-up tournament is a testing ground for next year’s title defence, with many regular squad members given the summer off.

Australia, though, are taking the trip to Russia far more seriously. Contrary to assertions from coach Ange Postecoglou before the game, the Australian side were marginally older than their opponents.

Germany’s rawness wasn’t obvious at all early in the game when a goal was created after only five minutes. Stindl exploited vast gaps in the center of the pitch to advance unchecked to meet a cutback from 21-year-old winger Julian Brandt.

At 28, Stindl is the second oldest player in the squad. The oldest tried to join him by also scoring his first tournament goal, but Sandro Wagner’s diving header was off target.

So much of Germany’s threat was coming from the right flank where Brandt and Joshua Kimmich were given space to unsettle Australia The gulf in quality was clear, and yet the callow Germans discovered the perils of not killing off a game.

Australia were posing no threat when Draxler gave the ball away around the halfway line, leading to the equaliser against the run of play. Rodic’s shot came off defender Shkodran Mustafi and he followed up with a shot that went under Leno.

Parity, though, was only in place for around two minutes. Goretzka was brought down by Massimo Luongo’s sliding challenge in the penalty area and Draxler made amends for his early sloppiness by restoring Australia’s lead from the spot.

It was extended further three minutes into the second half. Kimmich threaded the ball through to Goretzka to beat Ryan at his near post.

While Kimmich showed much promise, Leno demonstrated that he’s far from being a contender to replace 31-year-old Manuel Neuer in the German goal when it really matters for the world champions.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2017