Germany mull problem areas for Socceroos clash

BERLIN: Germany coach Joachim Loew admits he has a few selection problems to solve in the world champions’ ranks before hosting Australia in a friendly on Wednesday (tomorrow).
Since winning their fourth World Cup title last July, Germany have struggled to recapture their impressive Brazil 2014 form after a shock defeat to Poland, then a draw at home to Ireland in October’s Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Retirements and injuries did little to help the cause as Germany then failed to impress in a 4-0 qualifier win against minnows Gibraltar before closing 2014 with a 1-0 friendly win over Spain.
Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to play his first game in the famous white shirt since the World Cup final due to injury while midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and defender Holger Badstuber are back after more than a year out.
The Socceroos will be missing inspirational striker and top scorer Tim Cahill who has an Achilles tendon injury and is undergoing rehab with his new club Shanghai Shenhua. Football Federation Australia described it as a “minor ongoing issue”. Ex-Nuremberg centre-back Matthew Spiranovic is also out with a hamstring injury.