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As has been stated many times, sport is a microcosm to society. However, today I will be looking at this statement from the inverse and pose an important question: what does our society say about our sport?
While the notion that a society could in turn alter the way a nation plays has never been groundbreaking, the suggestion of a nation’s lack or saturation of success is due to their ideologies could be.
This entire thought process came about on a humid, but beautifully hanging evening in Brisbane Stadium, enjoying the high intensity, and ever scrappy nature of football between Iran and the UAE in the final round of Asian cup group matches.
The game itself did not rise to any new heights, with Iran pulling off an expected 1-0 victory late in the second half.
However, as I sat, my focus on the game at hand had wandered to the cacophony that had joined the infestation of moths in the Brisbane sky.
The Iranian supporters, who outnumbered the UAE supporter group easily 12 to 1, had managed to create an atmosphere that moved their players and pushed them further and harder into attack, playing more fluently and positively as the game progressed and as the chants ebbed and flowed throughout the match.
This experience resulted in a brutally stark contrast to the Australian contingent that flocked to the stadium only three days later. While at times the crowd erupted into a unanimous stupor, the inconsistency is something that has not only robbed Australians of a true footballing atmosphere, but has hindered our nationalistic sporting identity as well.
Iran and Australia have many stark differences between them, geographically, culturally and idealistically, however their ability to band together and achieve a tremendous atmosphere for their players to run into, and furthermore maintain for the 90 minutes, has left much to be desired in the Australian supporting form guide.
Yes, I am suggesting that for 99 per cent of cases with Australian sporting wins and losses, the buck stops with the crowd.
The spectator has become so powerful in today’s modern game that an unruly or uncharacteristic performance could be blamed on the crowd.
Australians are much more likely to put our opinions forth if they are saddled with abuse or criticism, instead of genuine, passionate and patriotic support. The lack of these genuine supporters have entered into almost farcical levels as more and more, our society associates a ‘true Australian supporter’ as a tanned, blonde and youthful male in a yellow singlet with beer in both hands, more willing to shout abuse at the officials than actually follow the game at hand.
The next step in Australian football has been taken, with Ange Postecoglou leading a young brigade into the future mixing their raw energy with solid and calming experience. However, their success can only go so far without a genuine and patriotic crowd behind them.
This is for you, FFA, to take out actual plans and strategies to improve game atmosphere to that of fever pitch experienced in truly patriotic countries such as England and Spain.
Build a team on the positive, unnerving and passionate support and it will be no coincidence the success that will follow.
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