Matt 1Socceroos impress in London
November 16th 2006 05:50
Australia played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Ghana on Tuesday and went along way towards proving Australia has more spring than a couple of big name stars.
Despite the disappointment of seeing the win snatched late on, Australia has every reason to be optimistic heading towards next year's Asian Cup. With Viduka, Kewell, Cahill, Neill and Skoko all missing, Australia dominated a thrilling match at Loftus Road in London.
In what has been the biggest year in Australian football history Australia again proved that the London experiment has been a fruitful one. A big crowd of predominant ex-pats turned out to cheer on the latest batch of Australian heroes in a pulsating match that commentator John Bloom described as the best match he had witnessed this season.
It is also worth expanding on the point of latest heroes. For so long, football has been considered an inferior sport played by as Johnny Warren put it (tongue in check) Sheila’s wogs and poofters. After the near hysteria surrounding Australia's dramatic qualification and subsequent brilliant performance in the World Cup, the single most important sporting spectacle on the globe, Australians are now proud of their Socceroos. That in itself has been the biggest reward for football this year and long may it continue.
The fear had been that football's success would be a mere bandwagon, yet months on, Australia is still in love with the men who represented us in Germany. Part of this on-going success could perhaps draw parallel with the Wallabies slump in form, the Ashes defeat and Hewitt fading on the International scene. Australia has always pinned itself with success, remember when we won the America's Cup, that's right 1983, now ask yourself when is the next event being held? The most likely response would be who cares? We don't win it anymore!
The other interesting aspect from Australia's performance was that we more than matched it with an international quality side even with a weakened squad. Vince Grella was particularly good especially given he opposed Michael Essien, the Chelsea lynch pin, who has taken Vieira's mantle currently as the hard man of English football, a quality player. Essien had a good game against the Socceroos, but Grella matched him every step of the way and was pivotal in Australia's midfield dominance over Africa's top ranked team.
It is vital Australia continue to expand the depth and talent of its national squad as injuries are the one consistency of International football. Rest assured some of our biggest stars won't be available for the Asian Cup; Australia of old would make up their excuses, now we accept and prepare. Expect Australia to be the team to beat next year.
Despite the disappointment of seeing the win snatched late on, Australia has every reason to be optimistic heading towards next year's Asian Cup. With Viduka, Kewell, Cahill, Neill and Skoko all missing, Australia dominated a thrilling match at Loftus Road in London.
In what has been the biggest year in Australian football history Australia again proved that the London experiment has been a fruitful one. A big crowd of predominant ex-pats turned out to cheer on the latest batch of Australian heroes in a pulsating match that commentator John Bloom described as the best match he had witnessed this season.
It is also worth expanding on the point of latest heroes. For so long, football has been considered an inferior sport played by as Johnny Warren put it (tongue in check) Sheila’s wogs and poofters. After the near hysteria surrounding Australia's dramatic qualification and subsequent brilliant performance in the World Cup, the single most important sporting spectacle on the globe, Australians are now proud of their Socceroos. That in itself has been the biggest reward for football this year and long may it continue.
The fear had been that football's success would be a mere bandwagon, yet months on, Australia is still in love with the men who represented us in Germany. Part of this on-going success could perhaps draw parallel with the Wallabies slump in form, the Ashes defeat and Hewitt fading on the International scene. Australia has always pinned itself with success, remember when we won the America's Cup, that's right 1983, now ask yourself when is the next event being held? The most likely response would be who cares? We don't win it anymore!
The other interesting aspect from Australia's performance was that we more than matched it with an international quality side even with a weakened squad. Vince Grella was particularly good especially given he opposed Michael Essien, the Chelsea lynch pin, who has taken Vieira's mantle currently as the hard man of English football, a quality player. Essien had a good game against the Socceroos, but Grella matched him every step of the way and was pivotal in Australia's midfield dominance over Africa's top ranked team.
It is vital Australia continue to expand the depth and talent of its national squad as injuries are the one consistency of International football. Rest assured some of our biggest stars won't be available for the Asian Cup; Australia of old would make up their excuses, now we accept and prepare. Expect Australia to be the team to beat next year.
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