With qualification for a third consecutive World Cup complete, in arguably the most unconvincing campaign of the three, the Socceroos’ greatest challenge still awaits.
The struggle to qualify, and poor performances that dogged the campaign bar the final three matches, away to Japan and at home to Jordan and Iraq, highlighted the difficulty the Socceroos are having in this period of generational transition.
There’s no doubting the ability of the last men standing of the golden generation ‘Class of 2006′ to lift to the occasion when a result is needed for their country – Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer, Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano and co were key to qualification when it mattered most.
But the average age of the current Socceroos line-up is 31 years of age, while more concerning is the age and club status of the spine of the team.
Goalkeeper Schwarzer will be 41 in 2014 and has been forced out a long-time club Fulham. Centre backs Neill and Sasa Ognenovski will be over 35 with captain Neill unattached at club level.
In the midfield, Cahill and Bresciano are approaching 35 and have long since left the cauldron of European club football.
Up front, where the greatest concerns remains, qualification goal-scoring hero Josh Kennedy, Archie Thompson and Alex Brosque will all be over 30.
While their international experience is key, particularly those players shaping up for their third World Cup, at the elite level, on the world’s biggest stage, that age and lack of competitive football could prove costly when it counts in the finals.
Relying too heavily on this generation of players leaves the Socceroos at risk of being embarrassed in the finals, especially if age should prove too costly in terms of pace, form and matching up against the world’s best.
Sure, under 25’s Robbie Kruse, Tommy Oar and Tom Rogic have come on leaps and bounds in recent qualifiers and will feature prominently in the Socceroos’ attacking stocks in Brazil 2014, but is there the depth of young talent across the rest of the park?
Rhys Williams, Jason Davidson, Matthew Spiranovic, Adam Sarota and Matthew Leckie remain on the outer of the national team and will require breakout seasons at club level to come into World Cup contention. Even then, the lack of international experience and time spent in camp with the Socceroos remains a concern.
Take the question marks over the left-back position, for example, currently filled by 30-year-old Matt McKay, which is screaming out for someone to be given the opportunity to rise up and plug the hole.
Curtis Good, Shane Lowry, Michael Zullo, Aziz Behich or future Australian convert Adama Traore could slot into the position, but 12 months out from the World Cup, a prime candidate needs to emerge soon.
While there is an under-20 World Cup on the horizon and 12 months of club football between now and kick-off in Brazil, there will be precious few opportunities to impress in a Socceroos shirts, making friendlies against the likes of Brazil vital.
Encouragingly for Australian football, this next generation slowly filtering into the Socceroos squad is a product of the A-League, including Rogic, Oar and Kruse.
But while the ‘Class of 2006’ takes its final bow in Brazil, the A-League generation may not have its chance to take charge of the national team until qualification for Russia 2018.
Coach Holger Osieck was rightfully praised for his bravery in subbing perennial saviour Cahill for goal-scorer Kennedy late on in the crucial qualifier against Iraq. But his greatest test awaits in the next 12 months and the decisions he makes heading to Brazil.
He and Australia need to hope that Neill, Cahill, Schwarzer and co can retain their form over the next season and continue to defy age, while more promising youngsters push their way the squad in order to accelerate the change and competition for places. Otherwise it could be a bleak World Cup in Brazil, based on some of the poor performances of the qualifying campaign.
Remember, too, that the 2015 Asian Cup awaits on home soil six months after the World Cup, so ensuring there is a competitive squad in place post-World Cup should only accelerate the changing of the guard.
Any result that comes in Brazil will be a bonus for the Socceroos during the difficult transition away from the golden generation. Just qualifying for a third consecutive World Cup could be their curtain call.
Aljay
Guest
Respectfully disagree, going off the form of Beauchamp in the game against Serbia - he should have started from the beginning.
Jack
Guest
Nope changed next Time Around Even The winner has to Qualify for 2019
Holly
Guest
If we finish top 3 at the 2015 Asian Cup we we will not need to qualify for 2019
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Dean, I know it was chosen by World Soccer magazine, but we were ranked in the top 20 football leagues in the world. Might be a gee-up by surely we aren't minnows? World Soccer's Top 20 leagues 1 Germany 2 England 3 Spain 4 Italy 5 Brazil 6 Mexico 7 USA 8 Holland 9 France 10 Argentina 11= Japan 11= Portugal 13 Russia 14 China 15= Belgium 15= Turkey 15= Ukraine 18 Sweden 19 Switzerland 20= Australia 20= Colombia 20= Poland
jack
Guest
We have not had any asia cup qualifiers in the last 4 years so the next cycle will be insanily busy Asia cup - 2015 World cup qualifers 2 rounds asia cup qualifiers - for 2019 East asia cup qualifies plus tournments next time around Friendlies If we win the 2015 asia cup then the confererations cup 2018. So we will need a massive squad and lots of flexibility. Next 5 years should be golden years for soccerroos fans!
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
Nothing but disappoint? I'll assume you mean disappointment but that's not the main issue, if you only follow our roos when we win then you can march right on with the rest of the bandwagon, I'll admit that being thrashed 4-0 by Germany was a little disappointing last time out, but look at them now they've climbed back to the top of European football so we lost to a good team. All in all I was proud that we were represented on the whole, the travelling fans had a great time, put together some good performances (The last two games) and we put a few players in the shop window, if that's disappointing to you, you must be a pessimist of the highest order. Either way, look on the bright side or bugger off.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
You'd love that woiuldn't you?
Dean
Guest
We're still a footballing minnow in terms of the size of the domestic league, money spent and genuine fans. Let's not kid ourselves that we could win in some fairy tale, but in football, every game is winnable. Send-offs, fluke goals, stellar solo performances, anything can happen early in a match and completely change the game. Put a decent side on the pitch and see how they go. Just don't put out a side with no chance, a-la Germany. It's un-Australian. If it happens this time, I hope when Holger reads the side that Schwarz and Cahill and other senior players put their foot down.
Titus
Guest
I would only have been disappointed if we had not have qualified. The only possibilities now are beng pleasently suprised, being satisfied and most importantly, avoiding embarassment.
eric1
Guest
So much negativity.I think Holger and the boys will do us proud.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
If "disappointment" is all that you feel right now, I'd venture that you're "a football tourist"; not football citizen. Only 32 nations in the world get to play in Brasil 2014. This is not some mickey mouse sporting contest.
whiskeymac
Guest
Moore also played really well in those games....
whiskeymac
Guest
Thirteen hour time difference too. Plan days off now...
Joshua Wells
Roar Rookie
Nothing but disappoint awaits us. Won't make it past the group stages, although they can prove me because I won't complain.
BP
Guest
Think we can get Ersan Gulum to change his mind and play for the Socceroos? Looks like Turkey won't qualify for Brazil so this may be his last chance. Only 26 and can play both CB and LB, two positions where we definately need new blood. Surely he would walk into the starting lineup and Holger can assure him of a future with the Socceroos, as opposed to holding out to play a couple friendlies for Turkey just to keep his father happy.
Greg
Guest
Groups D & E look pretty hard too.
Red Block
Guest
Aussies no matter what the sport always play better when we are the underdogs (unless your coached by Pim Verbeek). Don't care much who they face as long as they have a 'decent crack' (unlike when we played Germany 3 years ago).
Jukes
Guest
All I know is this, if you are on the fringes of socceroo selection then anything is possible. Have a massive season, get noticed, force your way into the side. Leave no doubt to the coaches that you should be there. Time for these younglings to stand up and stake their claim.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Hopefully the football season for 2013/14 delivers for our Socceroo hopefuls. Game time 100% the biggest factor in determining selection. Mile Jedinak and Robbie Kruse I expect to do well. Unless Kruse's club decide to go with the other option... His challenger for his position. The extension of the A-league season will help too, immensely. That was fantastic work by FFA.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Regardless of what we are drawn into, it'll be hard. Some maybe... Sightly easier than others, but if we are in group H with Spain and France... Well let's just say we'd be up to our necks in it! Can't wait for WC2014 Brazil Rio!