Goal scorers Tim Cahill and Brett Holman during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Serbia at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa, Wednesday, June 23, 2010. AP Photo/Hassan Ammar
It will go down as one of the greatest victories in Australian sports history, but the Socceroos’ 2-1 win over Serbia this morning is tinged with regret. Despite gaining the three points required, Australia were agonisingly knocked out of the World Cup on goal difference.
We wondered if they had it in them, but the Socceroos answered their critics in the best way possible, turning in a dominant second-half display against a Serbian outfit who lost just twice in European qualifying.
After a shaky first-half performance in which Mark Schwarzer was once again the hero for the men in yellow, the Socceroos came out transformed in the second period.
They would have bagged a hatful of goals but for an equally outstanding display from Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic, and in the end strikes from the talismanic Tim Cahill and substitute Brett Holman weren’t enough to see the Socceroos progress.
“Brett Holman has in the last two games dished up the most humble pie I have ever eaten,” was how a friend of mine described the game-changing performance of the once maligned midfielder, and it was the introduction of Holman and Scott Chipperfield that changed the dynamic of the match.
The pair were at the heart of Australia’s rampant fifteen minute spell just after the hour mark, with Holman scoring his second goal in as many games with an unerring long-range strike.
How poignant it was to see Pim Verbeek urging his team forward at the death, knowing full well that a pair of harsh red cards had severely curtailed Australia’s attacking instincts in their opening two games.
Had Cahill remained on the pitch against Germany, things could have been so different – the Socceroos may not have conceded two second half goals and goal difference wouldn’t have proved so crucial.
But it has been the kind of campaign from the outset – full of “what ifs?” – and its hard not to feel that the Socceroos deserved so much more from a World Cup which saw them collect four points and out-score both Ghana and Serbia in the process.
However, now is not the time for inquests – instead we should be celebrating the exploits of a golden generation of Australian footballers.
The curtain now falls on two of the great servants of the Australian game, with Craig Moore and Scott Chipperfield set to bow out as winners – even if Moore sat this game out through suspension – while it is anyone’s guess if the likes of Schwarzer, Grella, Emerton, Bresciano and Kewell will stick around for Brazil 2014.
But we saw enough tonight from the likes of Michael Beauchamp and Carl Valeri to suggest that it’s not all doom and gloom in terms of our future playing stocks, and as long as the Socceroos honour the tradition of always giving their all at major tournaments, there’s no reason to suggest that a first-round exit in South Africa spells an impending crisis.
What Australia’s win over the highly-fancied Serbs also does is remind some of the more Eurocentric members of the world media that it’s not just Europeans who can play football.
We might not be the most technical exponents of the beautiful game, but when it comes to sheer grit and determination, Australia can usually be expected to stand up and be counted – that disastrous ninety minutes against Germany notwithstanding.
This morning the Socceroos gave the nation a performance to be proud of, and I for one salute the spirit with which they approached such a high-pressure game.
For now, it’s “so long, and thanks for the memories Pim,” and hopefully a new generation of football fans will have breathed in the heady atmosphere of the world’s greatest sporting event, and started their own slow countdown to Brazil 2014.
And if they can’t wait for their football fix, then guess what?
We also have a pretty nifty competition named the A-League to call our own.
Re-live the thrilling Socceroos vs Serbia clash as it happened with Tony Tannous’ detailed analysis HERE.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
In the context of the overall WC, that Bresh free that led to the Holman goal is just about the very best free taken so far. Any day of the week, to make the ball do what he did, dipping over the wall such that it bounces a good metre in front of the keeper, in what was a fairly shortish distance, deserves a heap of praise. Ironically enough, Bresh does have a bit of a record of ballooning free kicks and crosses (in amongst the odd good one) - could it be that Bresh has discovered some quirky fact about the Jabulani that no one else has picked up on yet?
Phutbol
Guest
. . The WC is not for the 32 best teams IN the world. It's for 32 best teams OF the world.... . .
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Well, at half time it was nil-all in both games, so at that point, two 1-0 results (going in the way of Aust) was sufficient. You appear to ignoring the fact that Serbia had the team to hurt us the other way (and created three excellent chances in the first half). So I can't see how turning the game into a shoot-out would have helped Australia.
The Bear
Guest
Alders, still waiting for you to solve the issues of a competition that involves over 200 participants... ; )
punter
Guest
Alders, you clearly don't like football, why bother, let us have our day in sun. This is a great event & for most on here it's our sport. Why do you bother Asian, as you mentioned with the easiest qualifying group, has now gt 2 teams in the last 16, another Australia went close, Nth Korea was in the group of death & only lost 2-1 to Brazil & New Zealand who also came in the Asian qualifying via Oceania came away with 3 draws, so maybe it's not as weak as you think.
VooDoo
Guest
Hear, hear. One of the greatest exaggerations I've read.
Alders
Guest
I don't Punter. But is it really necessary to intentionally try and cause offence?
jupiter53
Guest
What about some credit to Bresciano for the quality of his free kicks? Got over the wall and down against Ghana which led to our goal; good kick around the wall against Serbia. The Jabulani didn't bother him. It also hasn't bothered Villa and other world class players. Fair go for the Jabulani I say!
apaway
Guest
Is it just me, or does Raddy Antic look a lot like the Peter Moon character "Victor The Russian Newsreader" from the comedy show "Fast Forward" (anyone under 30 need not bother answering)
Midfielder
Guest
agree
Realfootball
Guest
MF, it took him 2.5 years and the fact that he had no choice. And no, I don't think he got it right against Serbia. He was still too defensive and left his positive substitutions too late. For crying out loud, we needed four goals! He needed to start with one holding Mid, not go to that with 30 minutes to go.
Bristler
Guest
No need to apologise; while I thing the global nature of the World Cup makes the event special and it is entertaining seeing minnows perform well against power teams, I have always believed that the WC itself is bloated with far too many teams. It would never happen, but I would much rather a smaller 8 or 16 team tournament featuring more games between the best teams, held every 2 years. The reality is Brazil and Argentina may only meet once this WC, whichever team wins on the day is not going to reflect which is the better team, just as the FA Cup doesn't reflect which club is the best in England. Anyway, this is getting way off topic.
punter
Guest
Sorry Bristler, you are correct, only 5 winners. However, England in 90, Holland 94, Croatia 98 & Turkey 02 all made the semis finals & failed to make the following WC.
Gez
Guest
Defining moment of World Cup 2010- Pim didn't have faith in our boys! Against Germany he didn't allow them play with any attack at all; the Aussie spirit that drives us, on every other sporting stage was lost. Even if we had gone out and lost 0-2 it would have been a good perfomance and we would have got through. All i can say is in '06 essentially the same team held Brazil to 0-2 and Italy 0-1 and we don't believe in our own abilities against Germany? Lost opportunity FFA! PS. That damn Jabulani ball has destroyed this world cup, how many free kicks from the edge of 18 yard box that go 20m above the cross bar do we need to see?
Bristler
Guest
Actually Punter it probably shows your ignorance because there have been only 5 winners in the in the last 8 world cups (in fact only 5 in the last 10).
punter
Guest
Well considering that there has been 8 WCs in the last 30 years & the fact there has been 6 different winners shos your ignorance.
punter
Guest
Hey Bear, give this guy a break. well that was what you told me to do. But then he probably follows a sport that would struggle to comprehend 32 nations.
Alders
Guest
We are in one of the easiest qualifying group. Top 16 is good but when only 4 or five countries have actually won it in the last 30 years you really want to be making the semis like south Korea which really would be special.
The Bear
Guest
Australia was a lowly ranked nation in 2005...and now look. By your attitude we weren't worthy of gracing the World Cup...ever. How very un-Australian of you ; )
The Bear
Guest
on second watch of the game....i agree, dippa