Most Socceroos fans have reacted to our tough 2014 World Cup draw either with humorous over-optimism or by noting that we were never going to do well anyway.
While it’s easy for fans to find ways to cope with the horror show, spare a thought for Ange Postecoglou.
The national team coach has to find a way to prepare our team to perform as well as possible against three very tough opponents.
Tradition dictates that in the lead-up to a World Cup, and teams will try and play opponents of a similar standard and style as those they will face in the tournament itself.
That means Australia could be in for some big friendlies in the next six months. There’s definitely no point preparing for Spain with games against Singapore or New Zealand.
It’s already been implied by Postecoglou and the FFA that the team will be looking at one or two games in Europe early in 2014, and either a one-off match or two-game series in Australia as a now traditional ‘farewell’ to a side almost entirely made up of players who don’t live in Australia.
The two nations immediately spring to mind when seeking out European opponents are Portugal and Belgium.
You may immediately assume that this is just playing to geographic stereotypes by picking the closest bordering nations to two sides we’ve been drawn against.
But there’s a catch; Portugal offer ideal preparation for playing Holland, while Belgium could be great practice for Spain.
Portugal is a well organised side that rely on brilliance from their star man Cristiano Ronaldo, or to a lesser extent Nani to single-handedly turn possession into goals.
Midfield playmakers such as Philippe Coutinho are primarily there to release the danger-men. Holland similarly is a side capable of nice passing football, but it’s not exactly tiki-taka.
Ultimately the chances come from surging runs from the likes of Arjen Robben or Robin van Persie following lead-up work from the genuinely classy Rafael van der Vaart.
Spain is a more unique side in international football, with their now trademark passing game based on the unique opportunity to pick an entire midfield brought up through Barcelona’s youth system.
Belgium isn’t identical, but they are a team that has access to a super-talented midfield group all playing at top clubs in Europe.
In qualifying Belgium scored 18 goals, but their top scorer was a midfielder with Kevin de Bruyne scoring four. In fact 10 goals were contributed by the midfield, with just four coming from strikers Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke.
The extra reason we might look to Belgium and Portugal for friendlies is that we actually have something to offer them in return.
Whether we like it or not, the world sees us as a physical and competitive side built primarily in the image of our colonial master England.
Portugal plays two sides that were also formed as colonies of England in Ghana and the USA. They also match-up against a Germany side that combines sublime technical quality with more than a hint of raw strength.
Belgium have been drawn with Algerian and Russian sides that will be organised and solid defensively, but lacking in individual superstars in attack.
They’ll also play a Korean side that thanks to our presence in Asia we can provide some sort of benchmark against.
Italy, having been drawn with England, may also seek us out but with no other British sides, no New Zealand and no Scandinavian sides in the World Cup our perceived style becomes a little bit unique in the Finals (perhaps a sign that physical and direct teams are simply not succeeding in modern football).
It’s hard to see South or Central American sides travelling away from their home bases to prepare for a tournament in Brazil, so the options are further limited.
We can probably expect to prepare for the South American conditions with one or two build-up games in Brazil itself.
This is where we can prepare for our match with Chile and I might expect that names like Uruguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico or even unqualified Paraguay or Venezuela will come up here.
I’d tip Uruguay, who already have history with us and will be playing England in the tournament.
Therefore, my final prediction is this; a friendly in Portugal against Cristiano Ronaldo and co early in 2014, a two-match series against Belgium towards the end of the 2013-14 European season and a match against Uruguay at a neutral venue in Brazil in the lead-up to the tournament commencing. All very exciting prospects!
The key matter for us should be avoiding the easy option of friendlies against our Asian neighbours, because that simply won’t be adequate preparation for our very tough assignment in Brazil.
Arto
Guest
@ al: Are you serious??? I'm not one-eyed enough to disregard that there are other "Groups of Death" (eg: Group D with England, Italy & Urugauy, as well as Group G with Germany, Portugal, Ghana & USA), but do you honestly think that a group with 3 sides within the Top 15, specifically the 2 finalists from the last WC along with the 3rd best qualified team from Sth America DOESN'T constitute a Group of Death???!!! Do you actually follow football or are you just trying to stir the pot here on the Roar?
Celtic Bandaid
Guest
I still reckon we will win one or two games in this group. Sorry I'll restate that I still reckon we will win the toss in one or two games in this group.
Michael Bovell
Roar Rookie
Sorry al but it *is* a group of death... but not for Australia's presence in it. To me a group of death is any that pairs 3 teams who all might've realistically aimed for a quarter final birth had they not all been drawn together. Assuming Spain and Holland would definitely be potential quarter finalists, then unless you think Chile are overrated then it's a group of death. Australia is the unlucky fourth team in the group. The only other groups comparable, for me, are the Uruguay and Germany groups. But I think both Uruguay and England would be doing very well to make the last 8, and also think Portugal are about equivalent to Chile while the US and Ghana would be delighted to make the last 8. Therefore I pin us as in the group of death (based on the criteria that it guarantees at least one quality side is eliminated at the group stage).
al
Guest
Australia is not in a group of death. What a load of rubbish. There are harder groups than the one Australia is in. In fact, there is not really a group of death this time. Make up an excuse already before you get kicked out of the tournament......
Midfielder
Guest
http://i.imgur.com/ncZvWcW.jpgd
Johan
Guest
It is essential for the socceroos in the Aussie sporting landscape that if they are not able to win their games in the World Cup that they at least play attacking football. The Asian cup is being hosted on these shores six months after the World Cup and to ensure it is a success people must have a positive view of the socceroos. If they are flogged 6-0 thrice then the Asian cup will not even get the billing it deserves. In reality regardless how the socceroos perform in brazil they must surely be joint favorites ( with Japan) to win the Asian cup given the standard is so much lower.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Agree balanced. I think socceroos reputation as a 'solid side' has been damaged by the last 2 hidings. At best, top teams might want to play them in order to boost their confidence but more realistically smaller euro or south American sides who aren't qualified to the WC make more sense. Thing is Spain is so unique no friendly will prepare us for them. But 2 good games vs sides like Denmark, Finland, Island and Peru, Paraguay would be good. I actually think Ange needs a win to boost team's morale and also show the world they aren't clowns. When I read foreign forums after the 2 6-0 I can see not too many ppl respect the socceroos anymore (outside of oz).
Melange
Guest
Right on Ben!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Hear, hear! We have some structure going forward and also in the middle of the park covering our back 4. If we can get our back four to gel with good cover from Milligan & Jedinak (with Holland in reserve) then we will be hard to break down. After that, well it's football. The odds will still be stacked against us however Lloyd from Dumb & Dumber has the answer to that: Lloyd: What do you think the chances are of a guy like you and a girl like me... ending up together? Mary: Well, Lloyd, that's difficult to say. I mean, we don't really... Lloyd: Hit me with it! Just give it to me straight! I came a long way just to see you, Mary. The least you can do is level with me. What are my chances? Mary: Not good. Lloyd: You mean, not good like one out of a hundred? Mary: I'd say more like one out of a million. [pause] Lloyd: So you're telling me there's a chance... *YEAH!*
Michael Bovell
Roar Rookie
Yes a stretch maybe :) I didn't elaborate too much but I see that Ghana are seen as a side that rely much more on speed and strength rather than passing and technique to create scoring chances (rightly or wrongly). We are seen similarly, so combining that with the more obvious similarities with the US in terms of standard and style and there is a definite case for Portugal using us as a warm-up match! It's also worth noting that the bigger teams often avoid each other in the lead-up to the World Cup, as they expect to possibly meet in the knock-out stages. In truth, Portugal would probably be more keen on using Scandinavian teams like Norway or Iceland rather than us, but we should definitely pursue them.
King Kong
Guest
Just can't help to bring some odds up. The most memorable one is the poor performance of Netherlands in the 1990 World Cup. This is a hot favourable team running for the first world championship. All media predict Netherlands would have a very good chance of winning the first Champ because there was an almighty scoring machine, Van Basten. With this, would anyone think they would perform so badly that unluckily this hot team got 3rd place behind Ireland in the group stage to face another big favourite team, Germany, in the first knockout stage to be eliminated. Should this red hot Netherlands get one more goal, there was no need to have a "throw of the coin" to determine 2nd or 3rd place Ireland. At the start, Netherlands was meant to be in a easy Group F, just having the mediocre England, Ireland and Egypt to play with. No one would believe before start that Van Basten could not score in the group stage, facing these mediocre teams. Would you believe it? Netherlands could only score 2 goals in these 3 group-stage matches. Would you believe it? Use a search engine to find the report of "The 1990 disaster… - Netherlands " or refer to some online Encyclopaedia. Why Australia has become so pessimistic? Is it because that Australia has moved from Oceania to Asia? This is the worst draw in this 2014 World Cup finals, but it does not mean doom and gloom. It is very ridiculous to think Socceroos will not get a goal before the start. It is ridiculous to think Socceroos will not get a point before the start. Be obsessive that Socceroos can sneak through with 3 points.
Franko
Guest
"Portugal plays two sides that were also formed as colonies of England in Ghana and the USA" Now Portugal may be interested in playing us due to our similarities with the USA, but Ghana? Former colony is a pretty big stretch on that one. Would we play Angola or Macau due to their Portuguese ties?
Franko
Guest
Agreed, Peru away would be good. Bolivia away just before the tournament would be interesting due to their very high altitude. I wouldn't be surprised to see us play Greece either, hopefully in Athens. Also in Europe, sides like Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary could give us a good hit out, with a chance of winning and trying out a couple of players.
Jack
Guest
I think these teams like polan or Sweden are better options. Portugal could be another slaughter an it ain't what we need atm
Michael Bovell
Roar Rookie
You may be right, but in the past we've had a good reputation for providing a top level physical workout for opponents. The 6-0 6-0 results may have damaged our chances in which case we pick from unqualified sides like Poland, Sweden or Serbia perhaps?
Michael Bovell
Roar Rookie
Of course... I meant Moutinho! I mis-typed with a C and the editor added the first name.
Jack
Guest
I do strongly agree that we won't be playing Asian teams I lea up though. I reckon confidence is so important atm so Atleast if we get an unqualified paraguay we have a good shot at a win
Jack
Guest
I wouldn't be surprised if its Paraguay or Venezuela to be honest. Hard to see teams wanting to come here. as for march not so sure teams like Portugal would see us as ideal preparation . Don't be surprised if we end up with Scotland or Ireland or perhaps even greece
whiskeymac
Guest
As Portuguese as deco
whiskeymac
Guest
Any team would be good for us in the top fifty as we are still developing our style and assembling a squad! Those teams you suggested would be interesting. Very good teams, good for us though or them?