Internet Desk: This match marks the sixth meeting between these two teams, with the world champions winning the first three encounters before losing one and drawing another. The two sides crossed paths at the Tournament of Champions when 2005 hosts Germany beat Australia 4-3 in the group stage. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski, and their team-mates ultimately finished third that year, while the Socceroos exited the competition after the group stage.
In Shkodran Mustafi, Matthias Ginter and Julian Draxler, Germany have just three 2014 FIFA World Cup™ winners in their squad in Russia. Nevertheless, the four-time world champions will take plenty of encouragement from their record of eight wins and two draws in their last ten matches, scoring 31 goals while conceding just two along the way. Younger players will be keen to prove themselves and show that they can put pressure on more established stars in the squad.
For once, the Asian champions boast greater experience at this tournament than their European opponents. The Australians are making their fourth FIFA Confederations Cup appearance after previously featuring in 1997, 2001, and 2005.
Australia and Germany continue to enjoy an enduring footballing connection that is once again evident in Russia. The Socceroos squad includes Bundesliga stalwarts Mitch Langerak and Mathew Leckie together with recent Darmstadt signing Jamie MacLaren and former Bayer Leverkusen forward Robbie Kruse.