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Socceroos youngsters shine in draw against Serbia. AAP Images
Our star players are back, it’s a competitive clash, and hopefully the start of a journey which leads to Brazil in 2014. So will the Brisbane public get behind the Socceroos, or will tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Thailand become the victim of sports fixture fatigue?
There’s little doubt Suncorp Stadium is one of the best venues to watch sport in Australia, at least in terms of sightlines.
Why else would a World Cup qualifier be bookended by two sell-out crowds of more than 52,000 fans for the Wallabies’ Bledisloe Cup defeat of New Zealand and Darren Lockyer’s final regular season fixture in the NRL?
Lockyer’s big farewell is a one-off and the Wallabies traditionally draw well in Brisbane, but the fact is all three of Australia’s rectangular field codes are eager to play out of a ground where fans sit right on top of the action.
The problem for Football Federation Australia is that Brisbane sports fans have recently reached deep into their wallets for a number of high profile fixtures, so tonight’s clash may be played in front of more empty seats than might otherwise be the norm.
The presence of Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill and new Sydney FC star Brett Emerton – not to mention former Brisbane Roar fan favourite Matty McKay – should ensure a decent turn-out.
However, there’s a feeling that Thailand aren’t the most noteworthy of opponents, particularly with the Thais struggling to cobble together a match-worthy squad.
Could it be the rise of the “Asia-snob” the FFA now has to watch out for?
In other words, how many fans exist who deem qualifiers against Asian outfits unworthy of their hard-earned cash and time?
It’s a shame if there are many, especially as certain fans complained long and loud when Australia wasn’t awarded the hosting rights to the 2022 World Cup.
It’s not a great look when many of our Asian rivals run out in front of big crowds for their own World Cup qualifiers.
Hopefully the weather holds off and the fans turn out in numbers, and they’ll have no better chance to be entertained than against the injury-riddled Thais.
Ironically for those who deem Asian football unworthy of their patronage, seven of the current Socceroos squad ply their trade at Asian clubs and arguably none are in better form than Nagoya Grampus beanpole Josh Kennedy.
The Wodonga-born target man can’t seem to stop scoring in the J. League but it remains to be seen whether his regular goal scoring exploits are enough to earn him a starting role in Holger Osieck’s run-on side.
One thing is certain: Kennedy gets pinpoint service from the likes of Yoshizumi Ogawa and Jungo Fujimoto in Japan, so if the Socceroos are planning to hit Thailand with an aerial bombardment, here’s hoping they’ve been working on their crosses.
Another of Australia’s Japan-based stars in Matthew Spiranovic has been an ever-present for Urawa Reds this season and the young central defender could be a key player once Brazil 2014 rolls around.
One of the obvious difficulties for Osieck is how to balance an ageing starting eleven with the reality that a possible trip to Brazil is still some three years off, and there may be some eye-catching substitutions should Australia be cruising in the second half.
The fact is, regardless of who’s on the pitch the Socceroos should prove far too strong for a Thailand side currently in transition.
Osieck has too much experience to underestimate the Thais, but he could nevertheless win over plenty more fans with some stylish football at Suncorp Stadium.
Let’s just hope there’s an attendance befitting the occasion, as the Socceroos start their journey towards what will hopefully be a successful 2014 World Cup.