Heading into the 2014 World Cup draw this weekend, many media personalities point out that the Socceroos rank last in the rankings of all 32 teams heading to Brazil.
Honduras, Algeria, Costa Rica and Iran are just some of the teams that rank higher than Australia.
But it isn’t as miserable as everyone makes the situation out to be.
Being the lowest ranked team gives you the lowest expectations meaning there is the chance that teams overlook you and gives you a chance to catch teams off guard.
This is the case even though most teams in the modern game are prepared to correctly assess all teams they come up against.
But are the Socceroos really the worst team jumping on a plane to Brazil?
I don’t believe so. Unlike four years ago when the ‘roos were sitting at about 20, Australia has not had to compete in Asia Cup qualifiers due to the fact we are hosting the tournament.
As a result the number of points being earned for our ranking is significantly lower, as friendly results do not contribute as much to the ranking as a qualifying match does.
This is the same reason why Brazil’s ranking has dropped, as they are host of the tournament.
So while being the lowest ranked team going to the World Cup isn’t the ideal situation, it isn’t as doom and gloom as it seems.
joel
Guest
looking forward to seeing these lads in 2-3 years time
Brick Tamland of the Pants Party
Guest
I think only one of the two Ronnies is likely to open a museum about himself and I think we all know which one that is likely to be!
Brick Tamland of the Pants Party
Guest
I should clarify I meant our National sporting sides.The Irish were fantastic at the Euros would love to see the Scots at a major tournament too.
albatross
Roar Pro
The ELO Ratings are far more statistically relevant. Currently they are: Pot 1: Brazil (1) Spain (2) Argentina (4), Belgium (18) Colombia (6), Germany (3), Switzerland (14), Uruguay (9) Pot 2: Ivory Coast (21), Ghana (33), Algeria (59), Nigeria (30), Cameroon (56), Chile (10), Ecuador (16) Pot 3: Japan (25), Iran (29), South Korea (42), Australia (32), United States (13), Mexico (22), Costa Rica (31), Honduras (44) Pot 4: Bosnia-Hercegovina (24), Croatia (23), England (7), Greece (17), Italy (11), Netherlands (5), Portugal (8), Russia (15), France (12). So by one statistically robust method at least Australia are not the "worst" team. The FIFA rankings are very much skewed towards favoring EUFA and Sth American teams
albatross
Roar Pro
Would that be Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima or Cristiano Ronaldo?
albatross
Roar Pro
no other National side could dream of taking that kind of support to a game abroad. Except Ireland perhaps http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZmYv6kDutw
Brick Tamland of the Pants Party
Guest
Princess? ooooh you got me,feel free to alter some more World Cup history for us if you like I promise I won't correct you.
American Dave
Guest
Sweet zombie Jesus princess you may need done calm down juice and a nap. Based upon this years results you may wish to reconsider that desire.
asanchez
Roar Guru
The whole FIFA rankings is a sham! You can never take the rankings as gospel, the only thing they have an influence on is the Pots for the draws of World Cups and Euros, nothing else. As for the Socceroos and they're ranking, whether they're the 60th ranked side in the WC or the number 1 ranked country, it's irrelevant really. None of the countries look at the rankings as some sort of measurement. The Aussies would be filthy with their pot, because they would fancy their chances against most of the sides in our Pot. They're all very beatable. So this means that we're gonna get a ridiculously tough draw, with 3 good sides, no weaker sides, and it'll be very difficult to get through.
The Auteur
Guest
Some of our best Socceroos didn't exactly move from the NSL right into a top European club. Lucas Neill and Tim Cahill were at Milwall who were playing in the lower-tiers of England before becoming huge successes. Mark Schwarzer spent a lot of his time on bench in Germany before becoming a great Premier League keeper. Luke Wilkshire was at Bristol City, third tier, before Hiddink picked him for the 2006 WC squad. When it comes to A-League grads: Mile Jedinak (CC Mariners>Turkey>Crystal Palace) Now the skipper. Tom Rogic (CC Mariners>Celtic) At least on the bench with some potential for game time... Robbie Kruse (MVFC>Fortuna Dusseldorf>Bayer Leverkusen) Dusseldorf's best player last season Tommy Oar & Adam Sarota (BRFC>FC Utrecht) Tommy Oar- starting 11and Sarota was playing regularly until he suffered an ACL injury. Matt McKay (BRFC>Rangers) Reports he played well but was frozen out by the manager after commenting on the standard of training at the club. James Holland (NJFC>FC Twente>Austria Wien) Starting 11, helped them win the championship last season. The A-League is only 9-years old but still is able to produce some players who can match it in decent leagues. I think you're not taking into account that many players that Australia has produced simply didn't slot straight into a European club's starting 11 and focussing purely on the highest level they played at a given time without realising where they were before they were international standard. A lot were slogging it out in lower-leagues or warming the bench and it took a manager who saw potential in them to bring them up to a higher level of football. Now with the National Curriculum in place, we'll be able to produce a lot more technically gifted players, so players like Tom Rogic will be the norm not the exception.
The Auteur
Guest
Even when people compare the A-League to other leagues no-one is stupid enough to put it right up with the EPL, La Liga or Bundesliga. Get over yourself.
The Auteur
Guest
'the strength of the national team pool is getting weaker.' We've really got to stop comparing every single team to the 'Golden Generation.' Obviously, the current playing standard isn't as high as the 'Golden Generation.' That's why they're called the 'Golden Generation' because they only come around once in a lifetime. What's more important is putting together a squad of players who are well-coached and supported and a system that suits the players available, and making sure the players know what their role is in every match. NZ 2010 the most recent example were able to hold their own in their group. Senegal 2002 made the Quarter-finals and shocked France in the opening game. I have more hope in Ange's ability to achieve this than Holger's.
Evan Askew
Guest
Did Russia qualify? Wonder how they will go, Until Spain won its first world cup I would have put Russia/USSR as the biggest underachievers in world football along with Spain and Scotland.
Evan Askew
Guest
Born here but of English parentage so I don't know if I really count but for me its Australia all the way in the football. It would have being the same for my Dad who came out here in 1964. Innitially he may have being going for Australia over England out of principal rather than what was in its heart but late on it was genuine. I think he was repelled somewhat by the attitude of the media and powerbrokers of English football to the "non developed" regions of world football.
Leonardo Mackenzie
Roar Rookie
i believe the that reason kruse and rojic ect. have being stuck on the bench is because they moved too bloody early, huge mistake. stay and dominate for a year or two then move to big name german clubs. its not the fault of the FFA
Brick Tamland of the Pants Party
Guest
Best time of my life(ssssh don't tell the wife).I didn't get to Kaiserslauten but was in Munich an Stuttgart bloody hell we had some numbers in and out of the stadium,no other National side could dream of taking that kind of support to a game abroad.
Brick Tamland of the Pants Party
Guest
And for the sake of not embarrassing yourself in the future you should do some research my American friend ENG v USA 1-1 ENG v ALG 0-0 (I believe they were booed off the pitch for that one) ENG v SVN 1-0 By the way the game you "monstered" us wouldn't have even been considered a friendly,merely a kick about to keep the players ticking over.A shame we can't draw you still haven't forgotten your idiot coach writing us off in 06.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Fellas - thinking of World Cup goosebump moments, this gives them to me every time: http://youtu.be/leitrq6VdC0 - or from this angle: http://youtu.be/54TCQrK0b5k
Josh Chiat
Roar Rookie
We're not, but the side has more a-league players, or guys who were recently in the a-league than previous WC squads, which could be a reason for concern. The fact that more A-League players are making the squads these days could be a sign that the league is pulling its weight, or, more likely, that the strength of the national team pool is getting weaker.
Bob
Guest
No doubt that we are punching well above our weight - I love the socceroos underdog status in world football, it makes their involvement in the world cup so exciting and special - something for Australian sporting fans to truly savour as an incredible treat..