The World Cup that put the A-League in its place

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By Davidde Corran, 8 Jul 2010 Davidde Corran is a Roar Expert

Tagged:: 2010 World Cup, A-League, Football World Cup, Socceroos, World Cup

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Socceroos Tim Cahill at the conclusion of of Australia's 2010 World Cup campaign.

Australia's Tim Cahill celebrates after the World Cup group D soccer match between Australia and Serbia at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa, Wednesday, June 23, 2010. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Last Friday something remarkable happened in Cape Town. I was sitting at a pub basking in the sunshine after the Netherlands had defeated Brazil, with a number of friends from the Australian media who are sticking out the tournament in South Africa.

As we sat along the Cape Town waterfront enjoying a drink, a middle aged man walked by with an Oranje scarf.

Hardly a remarkable occurrence considering the amount of Dutch fans that had based themselves in Cape Town except, this scarf wasn’t just orange, it also had the words “Brisbane Roar” written on it.

While the others around me started sarcastically singing “there’s only one Ange Postacoglou” I was focused on stopping myself from falling out of my seat in surprise.

I’d been in South Africa for 30 days, travelled to every Socceroos game, stayed in accommodation that was packed with Australians but this was the first piece of A-League merchandise I’d come across.

I’ve seen Bayern Munich tops, Evertonian colours, Atlético Paranaense scarves, “Come Play” beanies and even a vintage Collingwood Magpies jersey, but no Melbourne Victory or Sydney FC and certainly no North Queensland Fury representation.

It’s no surprise that a five-year-old competition, filled with brand new teams, hasn’t yet found the same kind of traction as the 110-year-old Bavarian giants that it’s fans feel obliged to represent their club even while supporting their national team.

Yet it’s also good to be reminded that Football Federation Australia left behind the game’s history when it launched the game’s brave new “it’s football, but not like you know it” dawn.

Meanwhile it took Adelaide United, currently still under the control of FFA, until 31 days before the new A-League season to find a new coach.

At the same time FFA CEO Ben Buckley was too occupied in South Africa spruiking its World Cup bid to keep much of a watchful eye.

However, for a change, I’m not going to blame Buckley or anyone else at FFA. Don’t get me wrong, the delayed process in finding a new coach for Adelaide United is another piece of poor management but the reality is the custodian of Australian football, FFA, is a small organization.

While it would be nice if they could at least ensure the few things they do tackle are done well, Buckley and co can’t do everything. Not yet anyway.

It’s why I couldn’t care less for the “Australian football is on the rise” or “Soccer is still a lost cause in this country” articles.

Let those who want to enjoy populist hits online and newspaper sales duke out this dull tale.

There’s plenty left to be done to repair the damage of years of administrative mismanagement of football in Australia and all of us within the football community need to keep an eye over FFA during it. If you see something you dislike speak up. Open, transparent and healthy debate will help see the game fulfil the great Johnny Warrens words of “I told you so”.

The fact is I can’t wait to get back to Australia in a couple weeks and I’m as much excited to see first hand the birth of Melbourne’s second A-League club as I am at watching it’s predecessors duke it out in the Victorian Premier League.

Football is football and, in Australia, we’ve still got plenty of it. I saw a guy in Cape Town who reminded me of as much.

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The Crowd Says (51) | Page 1 of Comments

Hombre said | July 8th 2010 @ 7:03am | Report comment

You were obviously with the wrong crowd Davidde – I was with the kiwi contingent and there was Phoenix supporters gear on full display

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agga78 said | July 8th 2010 @ 7:19am | Report comment

Im pretty sure no A league teams were participating in the world cup, and if Australians were wearing Australian colours and Australian strips then, that is more pleasing to me than seeing a person in a Victory or Sydney fc strip. I find it silly to see people walking around A league games with Liverpool or Chelsea tops on, just as I would find it silly to watch Australia play, sitting there in an A league strip.

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- nicholas said | July 8th 2010 @ 1:12pm | Report comment
  
  I saw a Sydney FC shirt on a fan on one of the telecasts of our trail games…
  
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The Bear said | July 8th 2010 @ 7:24am | Report comment

A hit for your gleanings. Ta.

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Lu said | July 8th 2010 @ 8:54am | Report comment

to all the a-league haters, all the old school NSL purist, all the naysayers..

Football is football..

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AndyRoo said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:01am | Report comment

Top 3 places I have been surprised to see A league Merchandise

1) At my local super market in Sth Brisbane a family walking around with the dad wearing a Fury top. I found this a bit odd because Fury were half way through their first season and they weren’t playing the Roar anytime soon.

2) At Seaworld while in line for some Sesame street ride with AndyRoo junior I noticed the Dad next to me had a Mariners top on (this was the off season).

3) At Harbor town on the Gold Coast (201) their was a store having a clearance sale on…… NZ Knights merchandise!

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MVDave said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:16am | Report comment

More important than ALeague gear has been the number of ALeague players participating in this tournament. Off the top of my head 4-5 for NZ and 2 (Culina, Moore) for Oz. Thats pretty impressive as for the combined 6 games these 2 teams played there was only one loss. Pim’s claim about Euro training being better than playing in the ALeague looking very much incorrect. From memory there were no ALeague players playing in WC 2006. Perhaps by the time Brazil comes around there could be 8-10 ALeaguers playing in a WC. Who would have thought?

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- AndyRoo said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:24am | Report comment
  
  Archie and Dwight Yorke were in the Squads. Archie didn’t get on the field but Dwight did.
  
  Can’t recall what Beuchamp and Milligan’s status were.
  
  This time we had much more of an impact though for sure, we also had an A league coach for the first time
  
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  - MVDave said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:28am | Report comment
    
    Thanks AR…how could l have forgotten the very impressive Beauchamp although, given his one performance, not sure he will actually end up playing in the HAL.
    l guess an even more telling statistic eventually may be the number of players who commenced their careers and learnt their trade in the ALeague, then went on to play in a WC (whether they were still playing in the HAL or not).
    
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    - AndyRoo said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:42am | Report comment
      
      I was talking about Beauchamp and Milligan in regards to 06. they were both in Hiddinks 23. They played season one for the Mariners and SFC respectively.
      
      In future I think it will be more about ex A league players because for anyone under 23 their is a very small window where they are good enough for the full Socceroos but not yet in Europe. So the number of players who had their first taste of professioanl football in the A league is a fairer measure.
      
      Edit: Beachamps case is a pretty good story. A league player for the 06 world cup and A league player for the 2010 world cup…but in between stints in Germany, Denmark and Saudi Arabia!
      
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    - AGO74 said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:42am | Report comment
      
      On your last point there are quite a few already – Galekovic, Carney, Vidosic, Rukavytsa, Jedinak, Milligan, Beauchamp.
      
      Then there was Carle and North who missed out but on the cusp. Not a bad output for a 5 year old comp.
      
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    - Art Sapphire said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:47am | Report comment
      
      Wait until 2018, by then the majority of the squad will either have played in the A-League before heading overseas or will be playing in the A-League. The competition by then will be over a decade old.
      That’s a full generation of footballers.
      
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      - whiskeymac said | July 8th 2010 @ 10:05am | Report comment
        
        there will always be a contingent that dont also. mooy, davidson, bouzanis, inman (if he comes over) shane lowry, williams, spiranovic, and maybe guys like kilkenny – but thats OK so long as the HAL’s standards continue to rise and players see the HAL as a good and valid alternative to the lower euro leagues and a good opportunity to be spotted for the socceroos (via asia etc).
        
        NZ football has come along in leaps and bounds since the ‘nix. will Herbert be the first HAL coach to go overseas? I wld like to see some aussies overseas coaching/ learning, still its good to see Herbert doing the comp proud at the WC.
        
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      - AndyRoo said | July 8th 2010 @ 10:09am | Report comment
        
        I am actually surprised how many in the Australian squad are A league or ex A league already.
        I don’t think the environment was that great for young players in the first season. 14 or so NSL teams becoming 7 Australian based A league teams and for the first time a decent amount of imported players meant most of the players were mature age. The NYL is only 2 seasons old and until last year we only played 21 games.
        
        So the fact some players made it anyway is a credit too them but the next crop are definitely going to get more of a helping hand.
        
        Teams like the Heart (who look set to be great for youth development) and Rovers coming in pushing it 12 teams and a 33 round season. Coupled with the bar being raised in the coaching department thanks to SFC, Adelaide, Fury and Heart. Well the A leagues contribution for the 2018 squad should be much more telling.
        
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Art Sapphire said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:18am | Report comment

Davidde – A large segment of Socceroos fans do not attend club football games in this country at any level.
If they want Australia to qualify for so they can travel and watch the boys on the WC stage, then I suggest that these so called “patriots” start attending a few games.

The vast majority supporters from every county at the World Cup attend domestic club matches clubs matches in their own country. They are football fans first, patriots second.

This is not the case with some of the green and gold support. For them going to the World Cup is like going to Pamplona or the Oktoberfest.

People who attend A-League and other domestic matches are the real football fans. Hopefully, you’ll see a few more domestic shirts in Brazil in 2014. Including me.

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- MVDave said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:25am | Report comment
  
  Yes Art…Rio and Copacabana Beach in 2014…might leave the ‘Budgie Smugglers’ at home though. Would be wonderful to see the Socceroos playing at the Maracana vs Brazil…
  
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  - Dan said | July 8th 2010 @ 12:29pm | Report comment
    
    I’ll see if i can get MVFC budgie smugglers… now THAT would be AWESOME
    
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- Ben of Phnom Penh said | July 8th 2010 @ 11:40am | Report comment
  
  This is true, Art, though part of the beauty of the World Cup is bringing a greatest interest of the game to those who are not entirely won over. Being at the stadium reinforces the pleasure of seeing games live.
  
  The Oktoberfest analogy is very apt. Everyone wants to be in Münich, however those that do go come away with a better understanding and appreciation for the nuances in beer variety. How many of those, I wonder, once back in Australia suddenly find themselves ordering a wheat beer when the chance presents?
  
  On another note I tend to agree that it is better seeing national colours as opposed to club colours at international fixtures, though did find myself with an A-League beanie on at a few fixtures in sub-zero temperatures. Pride is important however was easily trumped by the desire to keep warm(ish).
  
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  - Art Sapphire said | July 8th 2010 @ 11:58am | Report comment
    
    Ben – sure at the stadium, its appropriate to wear national colours.
    But, there is no reason not to wear your club colours between games.
    Otherwise you could end up up smelling a bit
    
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    - Ben of Phnom Penh said | July 8th 2010 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
      
      or do what I did, double dipped. I had a Japanese and Cambodian top as well (wore the Cambodian top to Spain v Honduras, confused the hell out of everyone)
      
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- Realfootball said | July 8th 2010 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
  
  I watch international cricket and rugby union, but I don’t follow it below that level. There is always additional interest for sport at elite level. Only to be expected and I welcome it, personally.
  
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  - Art Sapphire said | July 8th 2010 @ 12:21pm | Report comment
    
    Yes, realfootball, but usually, you have to be a fan of the sport to spend your hard earned to travel overseas.
    I can’t see myself travelling overseas for the sole reason of watching the Wallabies, or the Australian Cricket team play.
    The people who do are fans of the sport.
    
    The World Cup is different. Some Aussies turn up because its a big party, just like the olympics, and just want to support the green and fold.
    
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    - JF said | July 8th 2010 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
      
      What? Some people are more interested in the “event” than the actual sport being played? I would have never guessed.
      
      Reply
      - Art Sapphire said | July 8th 2010 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
        
        Glad to be of assistance JF. Next week, I’ll explain the offside rule to you.
        Oh….there goes the lunchbell.
        
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- mahony said | July 8th 2010 @ 12:26pm | Report comment
  
  and mine – and that of my wife and son!
  
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mahony said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:21am | Report comment

My Top 3:
(1) On the trans-siberian express ni Russia – just before the Mongolian border – Perth Glory kit.
(2) Beijing Railway Station – Melbourne Victory kit (no – not mine).
(3) At a Hawthorn v. Geelong game early in the AFL season at the MCG – Melbourne Victory kit (again, not mine).

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- AndyRoo said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:25am | Report comment
  
  Well that’s not fair you have obviously been outside Sth East QLD
  
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  - mahony said | July 8th 2010 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
    
    more to the point – I am not sure if I have ever bee IN it!!!!!
    
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Mark said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:32am | Report comment

I saw a Sydney FC jersey in the crowd during Australia’s match.

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Ben of Phnom Penh said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:45am | Report comment

I am a little concerned that the entire Australian media contingent seems ensconced in Cape Town when a majority of the games were played in the North East of the country.

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- Art Sapphire said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:50am | Report comment
  
  Good pick up Ben. Mind you I’d rather be based in CT than JoBurg, if I had a choice
  
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  - Ben of Phnom Penh said | July 8th 2010 @ 10:06am | Report comment
    
    Cape Town is eerily like being in Australia (sort of Adelaide collides into Fremantle) whereas Pretoria has a real vibe to it. J’burg isn’t actually too bad with some pretty nice high streets in each of the different suburbs.
    
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- AndyRoo said | July 8th 2010 @ 9:55am | Report comment
  
  Actually most seem to be in Sydney
  
  Those Pembos, Paul Kents and such who went on assignment seemed to be back in OZ before the round of 16!
  
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