Germany will look to move one step closer to clinching a berth in the 2014 World Cup when it takes on second place Austria on Friday.
The match is crucial for both sides, but Austria is currently locked in a three-way tie for second place with the Republic of Ireland and Sweden. All three teams have 11 points; the second place team moves on to a playoff with a chance at the 2014 World Cup berth on the line. This match is pivotal for Austria as a loss here would give Sweden and Ireland a chance to move ahead. Ireland and Sweden are actually facing off against one another and a win by either side would put the victor in a clear advantage for second; Sweden and Ireland must still face Germany at least one more time.
Meanwhile, the Germans can move to 19 points with a win. Here is their lineup for the Austria game.
Goalkeeper: Rene Adler (Hamburger), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover).
Defender: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund).
Midfielder: Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Sven Bender ( Borussia Dortmund), Julian Draxler (Schalke), Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Sidney Sam (Bayer Leverkusen), Andre Schuerrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich).
Striker: Mario Gomez (Florence), Miroslav Klose (Lazio Rom), Max Kruse (Borussia Moenchengladbach).
Prediction: Germany wins 5-0.
Start Time: 2:45 p.m. EST
Watch Live Stream HERE.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
