Now that the Socceroos have qualified for the biggest show on earth, we can all rest easy after months of tension and soul-searching.
Tuesday night showed just how much feeling there is for the Socceroos, as 83,523 people ignored the rain and cold to cheer on our best-loved national team.
The sudden resurgence of interest will no doubt please the FFA, who did everything they could over the past few weeks to resuscitate the Socceroos brand.
A sell-out crowd featuring an all-new support crew – Terrace Australis – wall-to-wall media attention and millions more viewers on free-to-air television all contributed to a wonderful month for Australian football.
Fans from around the country converged on ANZ Stadium to will the Socceroos on. Such is the depth of feeling for the green and gold that football nutters made the pilgrimage from all across the country.
One guy even made his way from London via the Trans-Siberian railroad.
Their show of faith was rewarded. The final three games against Japan, Jordan and Iraq showed while the Socceroos aren’t quite what they used to be, they are still fantastic to watch with their backs against the wall.
The players seemed both relieved and triumphant after the match, having borne the brunt of much criticism during their hot and cold qualifying campaign. In particular, the enormous effort over the final few weeks from senior players Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill and Mark Bresciano is to be applauded.
It was also a rare moment of glory for Holger Osiek. While his players still struggle to play the kind of football fans have come to expect from the national team, his performance on the night was decisive.
Bringing off talismanic Timmy Cahill – the man who had a major Sydney expressway temporarily renamed after him just hours before – for Australia’s forgotten saviour Josh Kennedy was Guus Hiddink-esque.
Osiek may not like the comparison, but it was one of the few times that we’ve witnessed the German publicly stamp his authority on the squad in a manner reminiscent of ‘Aussie Guus’. His high-stakes gamble paid off with interest, as Kennedy stepped up to nod the ball home just minutes from full time.
As Mr Motorway Tim Cahill himself conceded after the match, “If it was Guus Hiddink you’d have given him credit, so I’d love to see Osiek given the credit now.”
Hiddink’s reign was characterised by his willingness to put high-profile noses out of joint for the good of the team. He happily kept Socceroos stars like Mark Schwarzer, Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell guessing, and nobody was guaranteed their place in the starting XI.
Let’s hope Osiek can channel some of that swagger going forward in the World Cup preparations. The simple fact is now we’ve made it to Brazil, regenerating the squad will be priority number one.
We were supposed to start rebuilding properly back in 2006 after Hiddink departed, but the thirst for glory has seen the process stagnate. But while it’s long overdue, now is the perfect time for transition.
Tommy Oar, Robbie Kruse, Mark Milligan and Tommy Rogic have all shown enough to suggest they are up to the standard of their peers. We’ve just got to have a little faith and a little patience.
In particular, Tommy Rogic needs to be ushered into the starting XI as soon as possible. With Australia producing fewer and fewer ‘game-changers’, Rogic is a precious talent that we must not waste.
Many fans might not like hearing it, but our results in Brazil hardly matter. What matters is that we’re there. You might not win anything with kids right away, but there is no shame in using the tournament as part of a broader rebuilding phase.
As strange as it may seem, it’s already time to start planning for the Asian Cup in 2015 and Russia 2018.
Yesterday was a time for celebration, a time to rest sore heads and hoarse throats. Tomorrow will be a time for some cold-hearted honesty and self-awareness of the level we’re currently at.
We’re off to Rio, but our sights should be set further down the track.
King Kong
Guest
I don't think Neill can be as good as Maldini to retire at 40. If Holger prepared better before the Oman match, knowing Neill would be suspended, he could have 4 more matches to test for the new center back pairs. Imagine that socceroos won the Oman match, there might not be a need to recall Ognenovski and change to 3-4-2, having 1 or 2 spare matches in this qualifying tournaments. Would it be possible to leave only 4 above 30 players in the coming East Asia Cup? How about (1-4-2-3-1) Ryan(21) Franjic(25), Cornthwaite(27), Williams(24), Mackay(30) Milligan(27), Bresciano(34), Kruse(24), Cahill(33), Oar(21) Rogic(20) N.B.: * Rogic is too dribbling, so Cahill returns to his old position. * Franjic played North Korea in Hong Kong, not bad. * All are from the current squad. * The only other concern is the pairs of center backs. But actually, Holger should have tested more before the Oman match. * The average age is 26.
Jack
Guest
We will need a very large and flexible squad
jack
Guest
Exciting 5 year block coming up for soccerroos World cup in Rio Asia cup at home Next cycle East asia cup qualifiers plus competion Asia cup qualifiers for 2019 Confederation cups (if we can we asia cup at home) World cup 2018 Heaps of friendlies
Griffo
Roar Guru
+1 if you're good enough you're old enough I think it was Craig Foster that made the point some weeks ago that it was not that long ago (early '90's lol) that some relatively young players by current standards were being pushed out by even younger players. Still don't under estimate Neill's leadership this last few weeks...
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I was in Honiara for that game :) The Solomon Islanders played a cracker.
Midfielder
Guest
Jukes You and Antman could be right some of those in the U 23 & U 20 squad could force their way in...
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Don't know how many times more I need to say this however............................................................................... International clubs are not compelled to release players for the EAFF Cup; it is not on the FIFA calendar of events. Expect only players from the A-League, Chinese Super League, K-League or J-League. All other players will be in their respective pre-seasons overseas unless their club is feeling particularly benevolent. The games effectively count as friendlies.
fadida
Guest
Agree totally on the Italy game Fuss. Solomon islands was Hiddink's first game though wasn't it? No coach can transmit a style of play in 1 game
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Good grief, Roar Fan, were not here during the Gold Coast saga?
Ian
Guest
I'm with Roar Fan...."two thumbs up" "fistpump"
Jukes
Guest
You know while I was listening to Eurosport commentary they were talking about this very point. They were actually anticipating that there might be players from the U20's WC pushing for selection. We all know the chances of that happening are extremely low but they raise a good point. It should be happening and it happens for other WC nations. Sure the players that come through are gifted footballers but we still need to get into this mindset. Its just not happening and we were given a severe fright by Iraq who are employing this very mentality. If your good enough your old enough.
Punter
Guest
The WC06 side was very lucky it had 2 players that were once in a generation type of players in Harry & Dukes, then, we had an up & coming Timmy Cahill, plus alot of players playing at the top level in Europe, Emerton, Neill, Grella, Bresciano, Moore, Alosi, Schwarzer & Culiina. They also had quality players in Chipperfield, Wilshire, Kennedy & Sterjovski. We just don't have that quality now, we have more depth now no doubt & yes many backs coming thru, but as yet none of them are at the level of Neill, Moore or even Chipperfield. We don't have too many players playing the top level in Europe, only Holman, Kruse &, Oar. We have a lot of good youngsters, but they just haven't hit the big time just yet, Inman. Good, Devere, Spironvic, Amini, Langerak, Rogic, Williams, Herd & Sarota.
Antman
Guest
I think we need to look at the U20s and see how they go in the WC. I think we could find some rough stones in that group that can be moulded into gems. I like the positive thinking of Gameiro and is quick, (scores in the box and long range), if he can do the same in the U20 WC as the qualifying campaign, then I think he must be a bolter for selection. We should look at how these young players go and if they perform, put them in the senior squad or into the EA squad. Maybe Curtis Good is a good replacement for FB instead of McKay. I will be watching in anticipation to see how the Young Socceroos go on the world stage. If we get out of the group stages then I can truly judge the future of Australia's football players.
Midfielder
Guest
Punter Hopefully I am not under selling Moore he was after all captain of Rangers when Rangers where near their peak... I am just saying we have quite a few backs coming tho ...
Greg
Guest
I agree about us missing a back to goal striker; Viduka obviously was that player in 2006. Cahill may have to keep doing the role, he did well the past 3 games, but he is much better in behind a striker, making "ghosting" runs. Also agree if things keep going well and the young NT members like Kruse. Oar, Rogic, Milligan take a next step again it could be our strongest side. We can't harp on about the lost Golden Generation; it was largely a myth anyway, we just had a handful of world class players including/perhaps only Harry and Dukes. I hope this team is our Golden Generation...it just might be so.
Punter
Guest
Mid, I think you undersell Moorey here, without doubt one of Australia's greatest defenders, right back or centre back, not the prettiest player, but a hard nut. He & Vinnie made Lucas look good in WC06
Roar Fan
Guest
Qantas, why do you 'hate' the Roar. What have we ever done to you? I love the Roar and I am proud of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Wow, schools out, mommy has just drove up to the canteen---time to skull my glass of milk, and munch my bickie---see ya guys, I'm off home now to do my homework... :)
j binnie
Guest
United - Agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments regarding the use of the next 12 months to improve our present starting 11 which Osiek has shown to be his "favourites" in the last few weeks.Result wise this team has played 3 matches,taken a possible 7 out of 9 points, scored 5 goals and conceded 1, (a very unfortunate penalty) so they can't be said to have performed badly, especially after this morning's result from one of those adversaries,Japan, losing very narrowly to Italy in a meaningful game for both sides. So how to seek improvement?. We have 2 centre backs who you rightly say are coming on in age but have been doing their duties admirably. You want an understudy. I agree. But who????. We have lots of names but if experimentation is the name of the game why not try something out of the square. Jedinak has been through the hoop in England Div 1 and has emerged successful to play Premier league. Could he play centre back?,he is tall enough,strong enough, experienced enough,,& with the play constantly in front of him could he handle one step back?.We are actually quite well covered in most other positions within this present squad,Franjic and Zullo could do a job in the wingback positions,Jedinak (despite my suggestion) can cover for Milligan,Rogic for Bresciano,Holman for Cahill (playing in his true position). An understudy for Kennedy would be hard to fill,we are not overburdened with that type of player but if fast direct wingers are needed Leckie and Zullo could fill in. All in all now that phase 1 is over I think we should build on what is in place and do so in a measured,orderly, manner.Wholesale changes are not the way to go but I agree improvement must never be ignored. jb
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Roger----let me go on the record now saying I hate the ROAR even more than the Victory... :D