For the Socceroos it cannot get any tougher than what they face in the upcoming World Cup after drawing Spain, Holland and Chile in Group B.
“We’re in a group with fantastic footballing nations, we need to play our part in our group and for a nation like ours,” Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou said on an interview with SBS after the draw.
“It’s exactly what we want, we can make some headlines come the world cup.”
Most will think that Australian football is doomed not only because of who they are placed within the group, but also what could face them in the next stage, which most likely would be tournament favourites Brazil.
Though for the more aware and realistic football fans, being involved in this group is a salivating thought.
As a relatively young footballing nation we need to develop and improve, and matches against teams of this calibre will teach us immense lessons.
You need to be competitive against the best to prove your worth.
Teams endure the rigors of World Cup qualifiers for almost two and a half years and the prize is to reach this stage, which is the pinnacle of the sport and of course for players the highlight of their careers.
If you ask any Australian player if they would rather play, teams from Colombia, Greece or Cote D’Ivoire or be on the same field as Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez, Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben surely they would pick the latter.
It is important not to be ignorant and expect Australia to have a major impact in a competition of this calibre.
It takes generation upon generations of footballing pedigree to even compete in one and it is a testament to our progress that we have qualified for three in a row.
The good old Aussie spirit can sometimes be mistaken for ignorance highlighted with some comments from 2006 citing that because we nearly beat Italy we could have won the World Cup, a comment that is laughable.
So what now for the Socceroos? The tournament is seven months away and they need nothing more to inspire them than the quality of opponents they will face.
They will prepare themselves mentally, tactically and physically for Spain, Holland and Chile and as a result will be better for it.
Australia’s lack of expectation in this group will enable them to play without pressure and hopefully play good football.
All the pressure will be against their opponents in which case what upsets are made of, remember South Korea and Turkey in 2002.
It is now imperative for David Gallop and the FFA to provide the Socceroos with utmost professional support in regards to the preparation.
Organisation both on and off the field is key to success in any tournament and the FFA must step up and ensure tranquillity over the next seven months and throughout the competition.
The display the team produced in 2006 was treated with much pride because of the way they showed character, grit and belief and as a result became a lasting memory in the annals of Australian sport.
It is imperative for Postecoglou to draw from that experience and motivate his team. He has seven months to instil confidence in his men and build on that for this tournament.
Furthermore, a strong display here could give them momentum for the upcoming Asian Cup, a tournament they have a great chance in winning and would be a major boost for football in Australia.
The beauty of football is that on their day anyone can beat anyone.
The FFA as well as Australian football fans need to realise that progress for us does not necessarily mean winning, progress for us in this tournament is about producing effort, competitiveness and as cliché as it sounds good spirit.
It is completely logical to write the Australians off in this group but at the same time on any day on any field anybody can beat anybody.
What better way to show to the country and the rest of the world that football in Australia is here to stay than a competitive display against Spain, Holland and Chile at the 2014 World Cup.
Michael Bovell
Roar Rookie
In fairness, any of the top 10 nations in the world could put out a reserve side that could beat any of the remaining 190 nations of the world. The gulf between the very best and the rest in football is bigger than people realise, mainly because the nature of football gives a better chance to underdogs than most other sports. The 6-0 6-0 results aren't reflective of where Australia is as a footballing nation... we had divisions in the squad, a coach who didn't for whatever reason rate some of our most talented players, a very negative formation and heavy external pressures being placed on the side. Under Ange, you can expect us to go out and play Spain the way we played Brazil in 2006. We probably won't win, we may not score a goal, but anyone around the world who watches the game will see that Australians can play football. I'm expecting us to send a much younger, hungrier team to Brazil than what we've seen in Australia's colours since the 2011 Asian Cup.
WillieOMG
Guest
the Socceroos already had the opportunity to play vs top players in world against France and Brazil... 6-0 & 6-0 was the outcome. I am sick of hearing the team being talked up like we have the quality of players to even match the reserve side of Spain, Netherlands, Chile.. Lets get real pls. There is a real possibility that the drubbing we will get in Brazil will hang over the team's psyche for years to come, the brand and the FFA. It is basically a salvage job, go over and limit the damage as much as possible and prepare the regeneration for the next few world cups.
almo
Guest
Can't believe the negativity of some people who profess to love the game of football. Makes me shudder.
Adam
Guest
Try and play football? I hope so, if they go out on the pitch and play tennis then they will get embarrassed
Simoc
Guest
Nothing wrong with 2010. Great coach and hopelessly out of their depth fools like the SBS cavemen Foster and Murray squealing like piglets when Mums gone. How pathetic they were. Germany played great and hopefully Spain will play great in 2014. It is a privilege to be represented at the event where comparatively we are like Zimbabwe in cricket. Making up the numbers. The tools in charge talk the garbage they are paid to feed the media, but realistically we are there and hopefully will try and play football. It's the easiest group to qualify but we may struggle to get to a World Cup for awhile after Brasilia.