The Socceroos still give themselves every chance of winning their two remaining World Cup group "grand finals" despite the nightmare of their 4-0 humiliation by Germany.

They just wish they didn't have to wait so long to start making amends.

Senior players maintain their opening match against three-times world champions Germany was always going to be a tough ask, and they can still get through the group stage with comeback victories over Ghana and Serbia.

But they know they are skating on thin ice and the next crack will be fatal, plunging them into the deep freeze of a hasty exit.

Nothing less than a win will do against Ghana in Rustenburg on Saturday, and they must achieve it without their suspended star Tim Cahill.

Three Australians are also on yellow cards - captain Lucas Neill, defender Craig Moore and midfielder Carl Valeri, but they may have to throw caution to the wind.

Neill admitted the Socceroos were disappointing against Germany but said the opening match was never going to decide their fate.

"Anything we got out of it was always going to be a bonus," said Neill as the Australians licked their wounds and returned to their base camp outside Johannesburg.

"This is not the way we planned it but the next two games were always going to be the ones we had to win."

Neill's central defensive partner Craig Moore said: "Both of those games are now grand finals for us.

"It would be nice if the Ghana match was in a couple of days (rather than a six-day break between games).

"After a game like the one against Germany you just want to get out there and try to put things right as soon as possible."

Full-back Scott Chipperfield said: "It's only a loss.

"It's going to be hard but we have to bounce back from that disappointing start against Germany.

"We have to win on Saturday.

"We have to keep our heads high."

Right-back Luke Wilkshire said: "There are six points still to play for and two games we must win.

"As professionals we know what it's all about.

"We need to be up for it. We've definitely got the character and the spirit in the team.

"We know we can do better and we are going to be fighting to the end."

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