Germany v Australia. The nation that gave the world precision-engineered masterpieces like Daimler, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW up against the country that invented the stump-jump plough.

If that's how Germany sees its opening match of the 2010 World Cup in Durban on Sunday (0430 Monday AEST), the Socceroos will rejoice.

For they need something out of the ordinary to really launch their tournament against opposition of such pedigree - some sin of underestimation or overconfidence from their opponents, something magical from themselves, some special slice of luck, perhaps all of the above.

The Germans are good at many things, but most of all they are good at winning.

Theirs is a truly intimidating record - finalists seven times, champions three times, runners-up four, semi-finalists four, out of the top eight only twice in 16 appearances.

History might see this as European crown princes versus country yokels from down under, but the Socceroos know better and, worse luck for Australia, so should the Germans.

They aren't a surprise packet any more, as they were when Guus Hiddink took them to the brink of ousting eventual champions Italy on German soil in 2006.

Now another Dutchman, Pim Verbeek, is attempting to emulate Hiddink, or perhaps even surpass him.

To do that his world No.20 ranked team must firstly finish in the top two of a group that includes sixth-ranked Germany, 32nd-ranked Ghana and 15th-ranked Serbia.

If that happens, the chances of meeting England in the first knock-out round, the mother of all matches, would be high.

But that's getting well ahead of themselves.

The Australians go into the opening match with concerns over Harry Kewell, who has hardly kicked a competitive ball all year - nothing new in that.

Germany are without the man Australian captain Lucas Neill calls their "heartbeat", Chelsea's Michael Ballack.

The Socceroos, fielding essentially the same team that shone in Germany four years ago, have the second oldest squad in the 2010 tournament.

The Germans (average age under 25) have their youngest squad in 76 years.

The Australians admit that if they were offered a draw before the kick-off they would happily snatch it and go home.

Such is the size of the task ahead of them.

But they are fired by the desire to make amends for their cruel exit via a dubious last-minute penalty against Italy in 2006.

They have been waiting four years for the chance to show the world they belong in the highest company.

The time has come.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP