Nervous, but extremely excited.
That’s how the Socceroos will be feeling after being handed an incredibly difficult draw at next year’s World Cup former Australian skipper Craig Moore says.
Australia were pitted against reigning world champions Spain, World Cup finalists the Netherlands and tough South American side Chile in Group B at the Brazil showpiece.
Moore, who was part of Australia’s two previous World Cup campaigns, faced the might of five-time world champions Brazil and Italy in 2006 before coming up against European giants Germany in 2010.
And the 37-year-old says the opportunity to play the big encounters is what a World Cup is all about.
“Some of these players will have some decisions to make about what they actually need to do to get on that flight to Brazil,” Moore told Fox Sports News on Saturday.
“But if you’re lucky enough to play against the teams we have in this group, as a player, they must be extremely excited about it.
“Sure a bit nervous too. But nerves are good at this level about being at the top of your game and being able to test yourself against the best in the world.”
Moore, a veteran of over 50 caps, played a crucial role in Australia’s best World Cup campaign in 2006, his penalty kick against Croatia in the 39th minute sending the Socceroos into the second round of the tournament for the first time.
He said the next few months will be decisive for several players who are pushing for a spot in coach Ange Postecoglou’s 23-man squad for Brazil.
Moore warned players like young gun Tom Rogic, who isn’t getting much game time at current club Celtic, will possibly need to move in search of more minutes on the field.
“Of course there are decisions that Ange Postecoglou will have to make but I think a lot of them will be made for him,” Moore said.
“Players will dictate they’re selection by what they do between now and the end of their seasons wherever they’re based.
“Game time is very important for all of our players now.
“Some may have decisions to make. Tom Rogic for example.
“But the majority of players will select themselves.”
Catnap
Guest
We have the worst draw of all as the three other countries can potentially win the WC
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
All the giants are there. Some decent sides that traditionally play well have missed out such as Egypt, Turkey, Czech Republic, Denmark and Sweden but there are no glaring omissions.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
So who are the "big" countries that have missed qualifying. I Know very little about world soccer but i always thought Sweden were a regular in the WC.
Dan
Guest
They'll be excited in the same way the Italians would be if they drew The wallabies , all blacks and springboks in their group in the RWC. So excited with a sense of the inevitable. Seriously, the socceroos, unless they manage to seriously improve in comparison with their recent thrashings against the big teams, will be hard up to do much in the upcoming wc
j binnie
Guest
Interesting comments from Craig,comments undoubtedly coated with "threat" inasmuch he is saying players will have to do what they have to do to get a ticket to Brazil.I would like to pose a question to Craig whose experience adds much to the weight of his opinions. Let me name a team picked at random from present HAL teams - Covic,Franjic,Smith McCain Behich, Carle,Milligan & Mackay, Thompson,McBreen & Pain. How would that team fare against the team that struggled to beat Costa Rica 1-0 in November. You will note I said "random". With 3 of my chosen players already in Ange's squad I have "built" my 11 around them,but I do realise the other 8 positions are debatable & could be altered by many readers,but that does not detract from my original thought,is there that much difference these days from who is in the squad & who is available for get togethers & intense preparation here in our own backyard.Craig sees what I see & his opinion would be interesting to read. jb