Germany 2006, Asian Cup 2007, upcoming ACL Final and World Cup 2010 qualifiers — now is a great chance for us to build a future legacy of rivalry within our confederation, if not international football, against Japan.
They are our biggest rivals. The chances of playing England in a meaningful competition (World Cup or Confederates) is very limited.
On the strength of this, I propose an annual cup between our countries. A-League champion vs J-League champion. Or perhaps an A-League allstars (Australian only) vs J-League allstars.
It would be a once a year game, and the winning team host the match the year after.
This is just one more thing that could help us build our rivalry. I see no reason why the game couldn’t be shown on free to air TV, unless the contracts prevent this.
Japan should be the team we have to beat, want to beat and need to beat.
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Football articles
- Phoenix need more than flash in the pan crowds (133)
- ‘New football’ fans may help save the game in Australia (124)
- Does Tasmania have a case for A-League inclusion? (119)
- What happened in Port Said was not a football riot (118)
- Magilton struggling to make a mark (68)
- Socceroos screwed over by FIFA, again (41)
- Gulf influence cripples the FFA again (40)
- Melbourne derby reveals tale of two journeys
- Midweek regional matches not hitting the mark
- O’ so close for John: How JON almost landed the biggest job in sport (13)
- Capello ‘walks’ from England’s top job (13)
- Fabio Capello quits as England manager after Terry fallout (4)
- Kewell confident Victory can make charge
- FIFA decision a blow to Olyroos
- Melbourne derby reveals tale of two journeys (0)
- O’ so close for John: How JON almost landed the biggest job in sport (13)
- Capello ‘walks’ from England’s top job (13)
- Why Manchester United are never really beaten (13)
- Die Lowen a chance for a Bundesliga rise? (2)
- Hey, Victory! Give them kids a go (9)
- The problem with Melbourne Victory’s ‘hole’ season (25)
markyG said | November 2nd 2008 @ 12:40am | Report comment
That’s an awesome idea, but I’m not sure whether FTA TV would want it. They don’t care for footy unless they can plaster David Beckham all over their station.
Foxtel would be all over it though, as they love the ratings big footy games give them. Wasn’t the AFC quarter final between Australia and Japan the highest rated sports they’ve ever had?
Plus anything that strengthens the FFA’s relationship with Asian football is probably only a good thing at this stage.
dasilva said | November 2nd 2008 @ 1:08am | Report comment
My ranking of rivalry in Asia
1 Iraq – Our involvement in the war. Nothing strenghten rivalries more than politics and war. The Iraqi sides are so determine to beat Australia that its frightening. This probably explain why Iraq are capable to beat Australia convincingly and then lose to Qatar. Every match between these two nations has been engrossing football between two evenly match sides. Hey there’s even animosity between two supporters group. Remember that ticket fiasco where the Iraq federation went out of its way to piss off the Australian fans. Ever since then there are some australians supporters who ended up supporting anyone but Iraq and were quite happy for Qatar to eliminate the Iraqi despite the fact that Qatar cheated. This has all the elements of an intense rivalry. TO the iraqi people, Australia may be one of the side they want to beat the most (along with USA, Iran and perhaps Kuwait)
2. Iran – Every person who watch that match in 1997 are still waiting for revenge. IMO it is the biggest rivalry in Asia
3. Japan – Two continental superpowers. Japan will want revenge for WC2006. However I don’t think there’s any animosity between the two sides. Just typical competitive rivalries you expect from two powerhouse of the regions.
4. South Korea – 1974 WCQ Australia was 2-0 down but then came back to equalise. Under current rules South Korea should have lost by away goals but away goals rule weren’t there yet and we were force to play a third match on neutral ground. Australia then won the third playoff match and qualified to the world cup. This was australia doing an Iran over the South Koreans and that was their equivalent of the national disaster. That playoff series was just as bad to South Koreans as what the Iran match was for Australia. According to Johnny Warren and Les Murray – this started off a brief rivalry where every match between the two teams were heatly contested. Unfortunately when Australia no longer qualified through Asia. This rivalry kind of died. Maybe one day we can revive it.
dasilva said | November 2nd 2008 @ 1:17am | Report comment
To clarify the ranking especially this comment – Iran – IMO it is the biggest rivalry in Asia
Australia vs Iraq is rank no. 1 as the rivalry probably means the most to the Iraq as they seem like they passionately want to beat us.
Australia vs Iran – this rivalry will mean the most for us. All Australian who saw that match are waiting for the day where our team eliminate Iran from the World Cup (however the passion doesn’t match Iraq determination to beat us hence lower ranking).
IMO I want to see australia play Iran. Who cares about japan.
Scott B said | November 2nd 2008 @ 4:53am | Report comment
Dasilva
The reason I proposed this … is it would be the most suitable cup competition for us.
1. The distance between the 2 countries isn’t as far as others
2. We almost have the same time zones so both countries would be able to watch the match without it being on at 4am or 12pm in one of the countries.
3. Iraq at the moment doesnt look like a suitable opponent. The J-League will maintain a high quality over the coming years.
4. We would have less problems organizing this with Japan. Be treated better, no risk of health problems, and better coverage.
Nothing wrong with making new traditions.
Midfielder said | November 2nd 2008 @ 6:02am | Report comment
Das
For me the order is Japan, South Koera, China, Iran, Iraq …….agree with all your points, just for me playing other nations in our time zone will get people to watch. The Japan matchs and the status of Asians best will ensure this is the main match to Australians I think.
Dave said | November 2nd 2008 @ 6:58am | Report comment
l dont think another meaningless friendly is the way to go. Now Oz is part of Asian we will play Japan and other top Asian countries every 1-3 years anyway (WC Quals, Asian Cup). Dont want it to reach the stage like in Rugby where the Oz team plays the Kiwis 3-4 times (yawn) per year, more if the Rugby version of the WC is on.
There are enough games now played by the national team each year and it would be difficult to get the best players.
Same for the revamped ACL where a few more Oz and Japanese teams will qualify and so be playing anyway.
l would like to see more of a pan pacific challenge developed further with the MLS champs along with HAL and Jleague and maybe Meican champs playoff.
Scott B said | November 2nd 2008 @ 7:25am | Report comment
Im not saying the socceroos should play more friendlies against Japan. The players wouldnt be released anyway.
Im saying we should have a cup with league teams with 2 of the best leagues in Asia.
Been doing some research on WIkipedia (J-League), they already play in the A3 champions cup, which is the champions from jap, kor and china plus 1 extra from the host country. They play in the Pan-Pacific Championship, which is USA etc.
I dont care about playing american teams or canadian or mexico etc. Why not play a Pan-Indian cup too, us, maldives, yemen and south africa….. not thanks.
The A3 sounds the best to join, but im not going to watch chinese domestic vs korean domestic.
oikee said | November 2nd 2008 @ 9:04am | Report comment
I think i mentioned Japan as our rival in a blog about 3 weeks ago, i had K.B telling me he was not that old that he remembered the war. I had to explain i was talking about what they do with the whaling, raping the southern seas. Anyhow, yes i agree Japan should be our biggest rival. I dislike them with a passion. Arrogant twots.
oikee said | November 2nd 2008 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Agree dave, those tests between wallabies and all-blacks are becoming a bore fest.
ohtani's jacket said | November 2nd 2008 @ 9:14am | Report comment
I don’t see what the war or whaling have to do with football.