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The Socceroos might be the most loved national team in the country, but they are also certainly the most frustrating.
Last night the Socceroos had fans on tenterhooks as they struggled to a draw with the lowly-ranked Oman.
The performance proved again that the Socceroos seem incapable of playing enterprising football unless their backs are firmly against the wall.
Time and time again, it takes an unexpected goal, or a big-name opponent to rouse the team out of their slumber and into attack.
So much so that the Socceroos now resemble that famous racehorse Seabiscuit. They’re the come-from-behind specialists.
It might be exciting for the neutral observer, but it has devoted fans of the national team tearing their hair out. Sometimes, it’s great fun to stage valiant comebacks as the underdog. Like during the 2006 World Cup.
But in Asia we’re supposed to be big fish.
With ticket sales lagging and public interest in the Socceroos at a low point, many expected the team to come out firing against Oman to prove their doubters wrong. But, if anything, last night proved just how far the national team has slipped, and how accurate those criticisms are.
Indeed, it’s puzzling why this Seabiscuit syndrome has come to plague the side. Against big-name opposition the Socceroos tend to lift, but against lesser-known teams they struggle to control the game.
Which begs the question – are we taking teams like Oman for granted?
Or worse, are we simply not very good?
This is our second qualification campaign through the Asian Confederation, but it seems we still underestimate our opponents. Too often, we seem shocked when we can’t beat teams like Jordan, Iraq and Oman.
Worse still, we complain long and loud about ‘diving’ and gamesmanship. Yes, it’s frustrating to watch players waste time, but complaining about it deflects more important issues.
Like the fact that Holger Osiek’s conservative tactics hardly bring out the best from the talent that we do have in the squad.
There is a chronic over-reliance on senior players like Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano, Lucas Neill and Mark Schwarzer, and a failure to properly solve problem positions in the centre of defence and at left-back.
To be fair, Osiek inherited many of these issues, and he alone cannot be blamed for them. Nonetheless, it remains his job to solve them.
When the Socceroos attack, and attack with purpose, they are a force to be reckoned with. But too often, we see the side pass the ball like Barcelona in their own half when under no pressure, before lumping it forward like Stoke City when in attacking positions.
Last night, the football on show from Australia was, in no uncertain terms, rubbish. Nobody expects this team to play spellbinding football, but we do expect half-decent performances with attacking intent.
The Socceroos now face an even steeper uphill battle on the road to Brazil. Credit must go to the players for their efforts to claw their way back and earn a point. The determination of Australian footballers to fight until the final whistle is second to none.
The character of the players never ceases to amaze.
The come-from-behind ploy might be a useful trick, and makes for a rollercoaster ride, but it’s hardly a way to build any confidence in the national team.
It’s time for the Socceroos to regain their swagger and play with the authority of a top-quality football side, or stop pretending that they are one.
Group B standings – latest results: Australia 2 – Oman 2, Jordan 2 – Japan 1
| Teams | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAPAN | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 13 |
| JORDAN | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 12 | -6 | 7 |
| AUSTRALIA | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| OMAN | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 6 |
| IRAQ | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 5 |
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