Australia (Socceroos) in Brazil……..
A dominanting team in the Oceanic Football Confederation (OFC), Australia is not coming into this competition as a newcomer. However, there is a ‘newcomer’ feel about the Socceroos.
Excluding the host nation, Australia was the second team to clinch qualification for the 2014 Fifa World Cup. They fall into Group B as the the weakest side. Australia’s matches against their group mates, will be a ‘must win’ for the opposition. Even the most optimistic of fan of the Socceroos will find it hard to deny what is most likely to be the fate of their team.
Australia’s first involvement in the World Cup was in 1974. It took 32 years for the Socceroos to return to the competition. This will be their 3rd world cup appearance in a row, a sign of development in their federation. Qualifying out of their World Cup group in 2006, is their best performance to date in the competition.
This team is still carried by a lot of their veteran players. The experience from these veteran player could be ther reason for the current postive trend in their World Cup qualification.
The Venom
New York Redbull’s Tim Cahill will be leading the attacking pack. He has been on this duty for some time now. The 36 year old striker is exhibiting the traits of longevity we usually see from Italian players.
Other available players for Australians to watch will be Joshua Kennedy and the youngster Mathew Leckie.
The Control and Support
The midfield will feature the captain, Mile Jedinak of Crystal Palace. Jedinak will be a major contributing factor in maintaining Australia’s team chemistry during the course of the match.
Bret Holman in the midfield will be playing as center forward in parts of the match. He is an asset to the Socceroos attack. Along side Holman in the midfield area could be Matt McKay, Nikita Rukavytsya and the youngster Tom Rogić
The Bouncers
Defensive work will be counted upon. There are a few names to look out for.
We can count of veteran defenders like Lucas Neill to keep the back line tight, with the assistance of Ryan McGowan. There is also David Carney and Luke Wilkshire to keep the defensive stronghold.
So what are the odds here? How will the Socceroos fare?
They will be expected by many to have just their 3 matches in the competition. Possibility for advancing in Group B looks negligible. But the game of futbol has always had it’s moment, when a ‘David’ knocks down a ‘Goliath’, and takes on that momentum to knock down some more ‘Goliaths’.
As always, there will be some drama, suspense and surprises. And that is why we will have to be watching to see if Netherlands will make home field advantage count.
