While the ‘Road to Rio’ is on a ‘Road to Recovery’ at the moment, the future is looking more promising following a 3-0 win over Canada at Craven Cottage.
A calamitous period for the Socceroos eight months out from the World Cup can be put to bed after defeating the lowly Canadian team.
Young players were blooded, a win and a clean sheet were recorded, and Ange Postecoglou is currently the $1.33 favourite to be coach – a fair indication he will be given the top job.
Holger Osieck got us qualified for the World Cup. It’s now most likely in the hands of Ange Postecoglou to make us a competitive force.
Following consecutive 6-0 thrashings by Brazil and France, Australia can springboard from this win in the knowledge that some of the fresh faces eager to be included come June 2014 can play and rectify the problems seen in the past matches.
Veteran Mark Bresciano was Australia’s steel in attack and is clearly our best.
Rhys Williams was a much needed spark in attack, taking players on from his right back position.
Lucas Neill had a good game despite recent criticisms of him as too old, too slow, and that he should make way for up-and-coming players.
He delivered a peach of a ball worth mentioning, delivering a long ball from the halfway mark to an attacking player down a flank. It was all class.
Mathew Leckie came from the bench to score his first goal for Australia in just his fourth appearance. It was a well worked team goal and Leckie was lively in the minutes he played.
Mitch Langerak in goal made some good saves and looks a promising talent.
Competitiveness and pride were two words spoken after the 6-0 defeats. The Socceroos now need to personify these traits.
Australia has always been an underdog in international football, now more than ever.
But we enjoy being underdogs, we love the pride the players display out on the field – and if they are competitive, that’s all we can ask for. There are high hopes and expectations around them.
Despite a solid win, there was frustration from the commentators (Simon Hill and Robbie Slater, I believe?) during the match.
They stressed, more than once, that Canada was there for the taking. They described the 106th ranked Canada as “a great training opposition” and called them “very weak, very poor”.
Australia, ranked 53rd, still have much work to do, but the platform now to get it done.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
What if we celebrated all of the achievements big and small, and weeded out those hell-bent on bringing down a game that is doing a hell of a lot right?
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Nestory Irankunda has sensationally rejected the chance to play at the Paris Olympics this June after a late bid from the Olyroos to include…
Mathew Ryan's tenure at AZ Alkmaar appears to be over, as the Eredivisie side are seemingly moving on from the 93-time Socceroo. The decision…
One down 49 to go. Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi raised some eyebrows this week when he declared himself to be the talisman striker the…
