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.
Al
Guest
2-1 to Australia, please make it happen Football Gods!
manny
Guest
C'MON AUSTRALIA!
manny
Guest
cmon Australia,. we've gotta have kewell and kennedy in the team. play a bit more attacking, but lets get organised at the back. ghana didnt overly impress me against serbia, but they were good. we'll need to do well tonite
David B
Guest
Spot On EGAJ! That's exactly what is wrong: We have a coach that does not believe in his players (or for that matter any other player inthis country... look at the way he constantly rubbished the A-League). Sports is 50% technique, 50% heart... which is itself a combination of Head+Heart. The Australian way is not the Coward's way which is the way Pim prepared for Germany... Attn Pim: There Are NO Invincible Teams... EVER! Attn FFA: If you have $6M/yr to spend on a Coach... run a Psychological test first... make sure they have the Heart to lead this great nation's team... Else you are Seriously Damaging Football in this country... Go Socceroos (Win, Draw or Lose)!!
EGAJ
Guest
Australia cannot win tonight for the main reason that the coach does not believe in the team. The players probably have a strong element of self-belief, but when your coach belittles the team and players so consistently, over a long period of time, then the chances of the team stepping up to the mark are greatly reduced. It's simple – it's called sports psychology (maybe Pim Verbeek hasn't heard about this concept) and any coach, in any top line sport, is shown the door pretty quickly if they constantly disparage their players and their team. I'm surprised he's lasted so long in the job. Can't recall Hiddink complaining about how bad the players were in 2006. Virtually every comment that I have read in the media coming from Pim Verbeek over the past year has usually been quite negative about his players and his team (his interview, as reported in today's Sydney Morning Herald, is littered with banal comments about how bad his players are, even though he selected them, second string, lack of depth, etc, etc, etc, comparing his situation with that of the German coach). If you keep telling everybody about how bad your players are, and how bad your team is, well, I think that ends up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. Isn't good sport based on good confidence? Serbia and Australia are closely ranked according to FIFA (Serbia 15, Australia 20), but I've never heard the Serbian coach banging on about how much better Germany is as a team, how weak the Serbian depth is, or the introduction of a total change of tactic on the day of their big match against Germany. And look what happened last night - Serbia 1, Germany 0. Perhaps it's more of a confidence issue for Pim Verbeek, rather than the team itself. Anyhow, no chance tonight: Ghana 2, Australia 0, and Pim to be show the door after the match tonight.
Midfielder
Guest
It goes without saying how important this game is... That we lack pace at the back and have no quality defensive mid ... and even if we don't win need to put up a good show...to assist our WC Bid is obvious... My run on team ... Putting Meggsi & Muggo in the backs will give them some pace...all defensive failed IMO and Wilkshire I think is our best hope in this position.. (slaps hand over face and says I wish Holland was there) Have Vidvitch on side line to replace Harry when he tries and Culina to replace Bresch when he tries. My run on team Schwarzer Muggo Neill Meggsi Chippers ... maybe even Carney Wilshire Emerton Bresc Harry Jesus Ruka
Davstar
Guest
Germany killed us, Serbia beat Germany and Ghana beat Serbia i can tell you now this isnt going to end well for the Socceroos. The Socceroos making it to the next round is a dream its a nice dream but it is just a dream.
NY
Guest
A draw against Ghana still gives up hope. We then need to beat the Serbs and hope Germany beats Ghana. Quite possible. Particularly as the Germans will treat this game as very seriously. It is really up to us now.
MVDave
Guest
It will be a monumental turnaround for the Socceroos to get 3 points...anything is possible but if the stories coming out of SA have any ring of truth and there is some disharmony in the camp it is difficult to see it occuring. Fear for the team if we go behind as it could get ugly. The beauty of this WC already has been the high number of upsets...lets hope the Socceroos can add their names to that list and beat Ghana. Will be watching and supporting from Birrarung Marr with 15,000 others at midnight...Go Socceroos!
James
Guest
Win by seven goals and we go top of the group :-)