Qantas Socceroos avenge World Cup loss

Australia overcame a one goal deficit at half-time to defeat Germany 2-1 in an International Friendly at Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany.

Australia overcame a one goal deficit at half-time to defeat Germany 2-1 in an International Friendly at Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany.

The win is Australia-s first in four attempts as they avenge their loss to the Germans in the 2010 World Cup.

Two second half goals in the space of three minutes from David Carney and a penalty from Luke Wilkshire were enough to cancel out Mario Gomez first half goal.

Germany who were without captain Philipp Lahm and Real Madrid pair Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira controlled the match from the start and threatened the Australian defence early in the game.

Lukas Podolski came close to giving Germany the lead from a free kick in the 21st minute but the deadlock was broken in the 26th minute. A neat move in the middle of the park set up Mario Gomez at the top of the penalty box before firing his shot beyond Schwarzer-s reach to give Germany the lead.

Australia had their best chance of the half from a Jedinak-s header off a corner but goalkeeper Tim Wiese was on hand to give Germany the lead heading to the break.

Having had 56 percent of possession in the first half, Germany started the second half the way they ended the first and almost doubled their lead. The game looked certain to go Germany-s way until the 61st minute.

Socceroos passed the ball around the midfield which created an opportunity on the left. A confusion in defence by Germany allowed David Carney to pick up a loose ball to slot home the equliser .

From the kick off, Socceroos kept the ball in attack and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot after Harry Kewell was tripped in the box.

Wilkshire stepped up and drived his spotkick hard and low to give Socceroos the well deserved lead.

Germany brought on Miroslav Klose to give them the height advantage and he almost put Germany back into the game. Through on goal and with only Schwarzer to beat, Sasa Ognenovski made a crucial tackle as Klose's shot went off target.

Australia defended well in the final minutes of the game to record a historic win against the world number three in Germany.

Australia: Schwarzer, Neil, Ognenovski, Carney, Wilkshire, Valeri, Jedinak, Kewell (Kruse 80), McKay, Emerton, Holman (McGrath 89)

Germany: Wiese, Friedrich, Hummels, Schmelzer, Trasch, Schweinsteiger (Kroos 64), Bender, Podolski, Schurrie, Gomez(Klose 72), Muller (Gotze 65)