The Socceroos are being pitched into the deepest of deep ends at the 2010 World Cup, make no mistake.

Last time their opening match was against comparative lightweights Japan.

This time they jump in against Germany, a nation with one of the proudest and most intimidating records in world football.

But they are confident they can keep their chins above the high water mark of the opening group stage.

And if the Socceroos are feeling the pressure this weekend, they should pause to consider the weight of expectation on their opponents.

While reaching the round of 16 is the new par for Australia, and a quarter-final spot would be a dream, the bar is raised much higher for the Germans.

Anything less than the semi-finals is considered a national failure, and deep down they are expected to win.

There are good reasons for this.

* No nation has appeared in more finals than Germany's seven.

* The Germans have won the trophy three times, a record bettered only by Italy (four) and Brazil (five).

* They have been runners-up four times and beaten semi-finalists another four times.

* In 16 appearances, they have finished outside the top eight just twice.

Michael Ballack, the former German captain cruelly eliminated from the 2010 tournament by an ankle injury, gives some idea of the pressure on the German players when he says they can't really enjoy themselves until they reach the final four.

"Anything else would mean failure," says Ballack.

"That does push you and motivate you, but it is a merciless game.

"Germany is a nation which must always win.

"You really have to suffer to get to the point where the real suffering begins."

Philipp Lahm, Ballack's replacement as captain, says: "You only have to look at Germany's record.

"We've grown up with the conviction that Germany are always good enough to reach the final."

Faced with such a powerhouse in Durban on June 13 (early June 14 AEST), the Socceroos seem to have their attitude just about right.

They are showing respect but not deference; they refuse to be intimidated.

"We will give them the respect they deserve," says central defender Craig Moore.

"They certainly know how to get through the qualifying stages.

"But the days of us fearing any opposition are long gone.

"We have players in the top leagues around the world who regularly play under this kind of pressure."

Captain Lucas Neill describes Germany as arguably the most consistent team in World Cup history.

"They are not so much a team full of stars as a well organised and well oiled machine," Neill says.

"A lot of us should model ourselves on the way they continue to grind out results.

"We will have to be at our very best to pull a result out against them.

"But we have no reason to fear them."

Nevertheless, Neill would take a draw if it was handed to him.

The Australians know that on any given day in the World Cup anything can happen.

Opening matches are often cagey affairs and they hope they can catch the Germans cold.

"Germany might need a match to get themselves going in the competition, so I think playing them right at the start is a good thing," said midfielder Brett Holman.

One of the great myths of the World Cup, however, is that the Germans start slowly and dourly.

The facts tell a different story.

On home soil in 2006 they conceded two goals but scored four in an entertaining opener against Costa Rica.

In 2002 they executed an 8-0 demolition job on Saudi Arabia.

The last time they failed to win an opening match was way back in 1986 in a 1-1 draw with Uruguay.

Another factor mitigating against the Socceroos is that they are no longer a surprise packet.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, playing for the first time in a World Cup match against his parents' homeland, says Australia's strong showing last time means rivals will now pay much closer attention.

"We are more well-known now and teams won't underestimate us as much as they did in 2006," Schwarzer says.

"We are no longer the great unknown."

German coach Joachim Low is wary of the Australians.

"I have seen them play twice now, while our scout has watched a lot more, and Australia is very tough with very positive players and never give up," he says.

"They're always fighting, fighting, with very fast players."

There seems little need for the Germans to rely on superstitious rituals, but many of them do.

New skipper Philipp Lahm needs the team to stand as unit in a circle before kick-off to give him a lift.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer touches each of the goalposts and the crossbar once before the first whistle.

Vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger has to be last off the team bus and last to run out on the pitch.

He also wears white boots.

"When I look down and see my white boots, I feel good," he said.

Centre-back Per Mertesacker ignores the razor for a few days.

"He who shaves, loses," he says.

Pim Verbeek's Australians don't necessarily have to win, or even draw, this match to survive the group stage, although any result would be like gold dust.

But they cannot afford a demoralising loss that dents their goal difference.

At the very least they must give the Germans that close shave.

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