World Cup guide - Australia

Australia and Everton midfielder Tim Cahill is hopeful his side can get a positive result from their World Cup opener against Germany on Sunday.

The Socceroos take on the Germans in Durban before meeting Ghana and Serbia in their other Group D fixtures.

"It'll be a hard game," Cahill told BBC Radio Merseyside. "We know they're very tactical, compact and strong.

"But they are slow starters in competitions they play, so hopefully we can catch them cold."

The 30-year-old added: "We have a lot of respect for them as a nation and as a country but we're going out there to do as well as we can.

"We know how strong they are as a team but we'll concentrate on our strengths and try to break them down slowly."

Cahill is making his second appearance at a World Cup finals after starting all four of Australia's games at the 2006 tournament in Germany.

The Socceroos progressed to the second round before being beaten 1-0 by eventual winners Italy courtesy of Francesco Totti's last-minute penalty.

"In the last World Cup the nation stopped," added Cahill. "I don't think there has been a bigger event in Australia since that.

"Now the sport is were it should be, up there fighting with the best codes in Australia, if not being one of the leading codes.

"For me it's an honour and a privilege to play for Australia, but to fly the flag for football in Australia for the kids and the people who have been dying for ages [to see this] is a massive thing for us.

"My first expectation this time would be to get through the group. After that, like we saw in Germany in 2006, anything can happen.

"At international level, everyone is starting on level par. For me, I'd like to get through the group and hopefully make a few surprises."

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