The Australian take sports very seriously. Every match they enter, the team has only one aim and that is to excel; be it Cricket, Ruby and now Football World Cup.
The Socceroos entered the World Cup more in hope than much prospect but have managed to take everyone by surprise. Their initial matches against Brazil and Japan only made them tougher and promoted their style of high-energy football they play.
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Enchanted Australian Fans |
The 2-2 draw against Croatia, was probably the icing on the cake for the Australian Team, who have now advanced to the final 16 Knock Out stage of the world cup. The match which was probably the best (atleast for me) in the series so far was full of intense drama right till the very end. Harry Kewell was the hero for the Socceroos, his 79th-minute equaliser, bundled home from close range, seeing Australia into the next round. Then we had Simunic who was allowed to stay on the field inspite of receiving two yellow cards, although he collected a third and was marched at the death.
Even though Croatia got an early break and the Australians had the nightmarish start, they were able to equal levels further on in the game.
Agree some have tried to portray the Australians as an over-physical side and very rough with their tactics; the reality is they have played some very good football and have impressed everyone in Germany and world over.
Though it seems unlikely that the Socceroos would be able to match up to the likes of England, Argentina, and Germany….surely they won’t let these big guns hamper their spirits. We can expect them to go down with a fight and continue to entertain us, like they have done so far.
Here is wishing them, All the very Best !
Pratyush at Sportolysis also seems to be impressed by the Aussie team and has detailed his reasons.
Comments
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shadows
Jun 23rd, 2006 at 1:30 pm | #
Yep true.
But they arent exactly a joy to watch, unlike Europeans and South Americans, or even Africans and Asians. It sometimes seems to me that they are confused between Rugby and Football. Viduka and Kewell are good players though. (Kewell has played well for Liverpool in the English league though).
But their tactics are working, thats for sure. I agree. I dont think they will go far though. They are up against Italy.
I really was angry at them when a deliberate attempt to injure Ronaldo was made in the match against Brazil (my favs), and they got away with it without even a yellow card. Come on, the guy wasnt even running around much and he was almost bleeding from the attack.
Ronaldo, BTW, showed his true colours in the Japan match, when he managed to get some space from the weak Jap defense. Give him space, and he is lethal. Even though Ronaldo might not be playing well, he occupies two opposing players (or atleast one) to mark him, allowing space to Adriano/Robinho and Kaka.
It was similar to Maradona not scoring goals in his last world cup, but playing off the wall, to mislead the opposing players. Argentina reached the final I think.
shadows
Jun 23rd, 2006 at 1:42 pm | #
>> Agree some have tried to portray the Australians as an over-physical side and very rough with their tactics
Was that a reference to me
Not just me, its all over in the papers too. They have taken the place of Senegal in last world cup this time.
One thing I have noticed that there is one rough and dirty tricks playing team in every world cup. It was Norway once, then Senegal and Koreans (who can forget very bad referreeing and bad decisions(and red cards too, IIRC) against Spain and Italy last time), and now its Aussies.
BTW, something seriously wrong with France. They are playing well, but Henry is out of form, and he has hardly any support. They might even crash , unless france maintains a goal difference of two.
Saakshi O. Juneja
Jun 23rd, 2006 at 2:26 pm | #
Shadows – No sweety, its got nothing to do with you.
Harsh
Jun 24th, 2006 at 4:22 am | #
Well, I beg to differ here, Sakx. I feel the Aussies didn’t deserve a place in the final 16. To be fair, it was their first attempt and I appreciate that. No one can blame them. So anything they get is good for them.
At the same time, I really feel they won against Japan by sheer luck – an absurdly powerful luck that is rare in this game. They were trailing behind for almost the entire game, and struggling to possess the ball long enough. Anyone who saw the game (or others after that) would say that Japan is a much better team. This was one of those rare games where Soccer becomes as dicey as Cricket and, unfortunately, it really opened the coffin for Japan.
I have said this even though I have nothing to do with any team in that group. I can acknowledge the Aussies’ winning largely as a lucky debut, but to call them talented players would be an overstatement.
Saakshi O. Juneja
Jun 24th, 2006 at 6:53 am | #
Harsh – As they say, Everyday is not Sunday. So to put Australia’s wins purely on Luck would be so darn un-fair, don’t you think? The game they had with Japan, agree Japan was leading but were not able to sustain their momentum….which the Aussies were able to and therefore they won.
Plus it is also said, Luck favours the brave !!
Patrix
Jun 27th, 2006 at 6:01 am | #
Too bad they crashed out the way they did. The dour Italians move on.