Low criticizes defense after Germany are held by Australia

Germany coach Joachim Low lamented his side's defensive frailty after the world champions were lucky to get away with a 2-2 draw at home to Australia on Wednesday night.

A late Lukas Podolski goal saved Germany's blushes in Kaiserslautern as their much-maligned defensive weaknesses were laid bare once again.

"We didn't do the things the way we wanted to," Low said on the German Football Association's website.

"We couldn't find our structure in the second half, and throughout the whole game we didn't get it right defensively.

"Overall, the game was too hectic. We know that we've got to win in Georgia on Sunday."

Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said Germany had "made things too easy for Australia", although he felt there were plenty of positives from his first international appearance in over a year.

"We played some good football at times," he said. "But there's plenty of room for improvement.

"We started well, played the ball around well, but we were not so secure at the back."

Germany head to Tbilisi on Sunday needing to win to have any chance of catching Poland at the top of Group D at the midway stage of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

"We know how serious the situation is in qualifying, but nobody needs to worry about us," midfielder Sami Khedira said.

Meanwhile, Australia coach Ange Postecoglou expressed his pride at the way his team had performed, in addition to the result.

"We were always dangerous going forwards in the first half," he said. "It was a fantastic performance from us.

"It's only 10 in the morning in Australia and people are going to be going to work in a very good mood."