Australia captain Lucas Neill says a draw with Germany in their opening World Cup match would be an acceptable result (Germany 1 /2, Australia 6/1, draw 3/1).

The Socceroos star admitted the Germans were a better side overall, and said: “A draw would be a fantastic result. Germany are a superior team to Australia.”

Neill added: “Clearly they are favourites and we have the underdogs tag.

“Their record suggests they are the most consistent team in world football, and the pressure is on them to win.

“Nobody in the world, apart from our team, expects us to beat them.”

The game will be important to Australia’s chances of progressing from Group D in South Africa, says Neil.

“If we draw it means other results can go for us and against us and we’ve still got everything in our own hands,” he said.

“If we manage to win, we will shock the world.”

Midfielder Mark Bresciano was quick to agree with his captain.

“Yes, yes, I would definitely take it (a draw),” he said. “Germany are a very hard team to beat so a draw would be a massive result for us.

“It would be a very positive start, knowing we would then have two games to go (against Ghana and Serbia) to try to scrape a win.

“Getting any result, apart from a loss, would be good.”

Australia coach Pim Verbeek now has to choose his best side to face the Germans, and he may well have a fully-fit squad to choose from.

Tim Cahill appears to be over the effects of a neck injury, and Brett Emerton is expected to be fully fit despite a troublesome calf.

Verbeek now has to choose his striking options, whether to give Galatasaray star Harry Kewell the nod or go with Josh Kennedy.

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