We have to improve against Germany: Charlesrworth

NEW DELHI: Australia coach Ric Charlesrworth is pleased with his side’s semi-final win over the Netherlands but said they have to play better to beat nemesis Germany in the World Cup final on Saturday.

With just three players from the 2006 World Cup winning squad in their ranks, Germany are a new look team but Charlesworth said they are always a difficult bunch to beat.

“This German squad is different (from 2006). But whatever squad they came with they have always been tough customers. Germans always play consistent game.

“Everybody talked about German defence but they have also very good forwards,” he said of the Germans against whom Australia had lost 2002 and 2006 World Cup final.

“We played a good game today. We made a lot of chances though not solid as we can be. We are a good side and we have quality.

“We can play better and we have some of their chinks in mind. It will be a tough match on Saturday and we want to win,” said Charlesworth who had won the World Cup in 1986 in London.

Star player Jamie Dwyer said his side wants to change the losing streak in the two World Cup finals — in 2002 and 2006 — against the Germans.

“Twice when we came up against Germany in the final we had lost. We want to change it by winning on Saturday. They (Germany) are a very good and solid side, hopefully we will take our chances and win the final on Saturday,” said Dwyer, who did not play in the 2006 World Cup final in 2006.

“It could be German defence versus and Australian attack and we hope we will get some early goals,” said Dwyer.

Dwyer fell down over the ball during the match but he said he is fully fit to play on Saturday.

The Netherlands’ coach Michael Heuvel van Den was disappointed that his side could not make it 2-2 despite putting pressure on the Australians in the last 15 minutes.

“We were able to get away the first 15 minutes without conceding a goal. We also put them under lot of pressure in the last 15 minutes. It is too bad that the result was not 2-2,” he said.

“We should have played with short passes instead of lone ones. Because playing long passes you may lose possession. It is extremely sad for those players like goalkeeper Guus Vogels who will not play another World Cup without ever winning it,” he added.