This is it. After the ‘Durban Disaster’ and the ensuing fallout, the Socceroos need to respond. In fact, the Socceroos need to produce an emphatic response when they face Ghana tonight at Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Coming into the 2010 World Cup, the expectation from players, coaches and fans alike was to see the Socceroos progress through their group.
Sure, it was never going to be easy, but after one poor game the dream shouldn’t be revised.
Okay, Sunday’s 4-0 humiliation from the Germans was a setback and has made it harder for Australia to progress, but as has been said by the Socceroos players and coaches during the week, they’ve still got two more games to prove they’re worthy of a spot in the Round of 16.
Realistically, getting anything out of the German game would’ve been a bonus, it was just the nature of the defeat which set off the critics.
But Australia are still alive at this World Cup (albeit wounded) and that shouldn’t be forgotten.
Staying alive, though, requires the Socceroos to turn it around and that must begin tonight in the must-win clash with Ghana – although a draw would still keep the Socceroos in contention following Serbia’s victory over Germany.
And Australia will have to do it without the suspended Tim Cahill and injured holding midfielder Vince Grella.
Nevertheless, on paper, there’s no reason to believe the Socceroos can’t get the better of the Black Stars either, but the mental wounds from the ‘Durban Disaster’ could be hard to overcome.
We also shouldn’t forget what’s at stake for Ghana, who infamously reached the Round of 16 in 2006, which was incredibly the four-time African champions’ first ever appearance at a World Cup finals.
Black Stars midfielder Ibrahim Ayew warned earlier this week: “Everything is focused now on the Australian game. When we win against them, we will be in the next round.”
It would be nice to be put in their position but, of course, our situation is a lot more difficult.
Nevertheless, the challenge begins tonight and coach Pim Verbeek will need to make some important calls on who will replace Cahill and Grella.
Interestingly, Grella’s withdrawal from the game due to a knee injury was met with an element of glee from some fans who believe the 30-year-old Blackburn midfielder has become a liability.
Whichever way, Grella’s absence simplifies Verbeek’s decision in this department with Carl Valeri and Jason Culina likely to take up the dual holding midfield role. Both started against Germany, though, so it’ll force a re-shuffle elsewhere.
Nevertheless, a re-shuffle is what we always expected with Verbeek getting his tactics all wrong against the Germans. Ghana also present a new challenge and so does the situation, with Australia needing to win.
Of course, winning will be hard if Australia concede four goals again, so the defence needs to be better prepared and that awful offside trap must be scrapped.
The Ghanaians haven’t been the most prolific side in recent times, though, so Australia can take some heart there.
Cahill’s suspension creates an opening in attack and surely Verbeek will be tempted into recalling Harry Kewell and Joshua Kennedy in attack.
Beyond the tactical and personnel changes, though, the Australian team needs to produce an emphatic response and that begins with their attitude.
Four years ago in Germany the Socceroos were the toast of the nation, but Sunday’s ‘Durban Disaster’ has scared off the bandwagoners and fuelled the doubters. Some have even gone so far as to label tonight’s game the $100m match with a major TV deal on the line.
Whichever way, even if the Socceroos can’t get the job done against Ghana, an improved performance will go some way to restoring some pride in the green and gold and that’s needed.
Let’s hope, though, they can do more than just restore some pride. Three points would be priceless.
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