He produced one of the greatest moments in Australian football history, now Mark Bresciano wants to shock the world with another in Brazil.
The veteran Socceroo flew out for his third – and likely last – World Cup on Wednesday amid much fanfare at Sydney Airport.
But it almost didn’t happen for the 34-year-old, who admitted he seriously doubted if he’d even be on the plane.
With few of Australia’s `golden generation’ left in the squad, Bresciano thought he might get swept up in coach Ange Postecoglou’s clean out – especially after copping an untimely four-month ban over an illegal transfer between clubs in the Middle East.
“I think every player was in doubt at that time, not knowing what decision the coach would make,” he said.
“I think we’re all very grateful to be here and, for myself, have another opportunity to play in a World Cup.
“I’m just as excited as I was in 2006, so I’m looking forward to it and hopefully do Australia proud.”
It was Bresciano’s golden goal against Uruguay in 2005 that helped get him and the Socceroos a ticket to the World Cup in Germany, and the creative midfielder reckons he’s got more magic moments in him.
“That’s the main reason why we’re going there,” he said.
“I guess the expectation is maybe a little bit high, because in the last nine or 10 years we’ve been very successful as a nation.
“Saying that, we know that we are going to Brazil in a very tough group but we’re going to go there and just try and do our country proud and do ourselves proud and try and shock the world.”
While the Socceroos face the attacking might of the world champions Spain, 2010 finalists the Netherlands and Chile, “parking the bus” was not an option in Brazil.
“I think if we are going to have any chance to get a result, we have to attack and try and hurt them,” Bresciano said.
Newcomer Ben Halloran is ready to put up a fight, both for country and himself as he chases a spot in the final 23-man squad to be named on June 2.
The 21-year-old survived the cut to join the travelling party after making his senior Socceroos debut off the bench in Monday night’s 1-1 friendly draw with South Africa.
“It’s all pretty surreal at the moment,” Halloran said.
“I’m just trying to keep quite grounded and just focus on training, because I still have to be selected in the 23.”
With Australia the worst-ranked nation in the tournament, they are unsurprisingly at long odds – upwards of $750 – to win the title.
Asked whether they were a worthy investment, Bresciano quipped: “You could put a dollar on it.”
The team face Croatia in a warm-up on June 6 ahead of their World Cup opener against Chile a week later.
Titus
Guest
Playmakers can be a #10 or even a false #9, they don't have to be a defensive #6. As far as Australia goes Bresh and Rojic are our playmakers.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Razor-sharp observation Professor. So many talk about Bresh as being our "playmaker". Putting aside for one moment that Bresh hasn't played a game for months on end (and he's now 34 years old), people should understand that he is not a playmaker, has never been a playmaker. He is a finishing attacking mid (as is Timmy, but with different strengths). Bresh is the very last bloke you want in you own half, be that with the ball, or be that tracking back (he doesn't have a defensive bone in his body). Sure, he might look half-way passable against weak Asian teams in the middle of the park - but against half-decent opposition? Forget about it.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Herr Fussball, Just for the record, in spite of my negative predictions, I would love to see the Socceroos exceed all expectations. I think it would be fantastic if they were to score lots of goals and win lots of games. As for the other codes in Australia, I glance at the league scores and like to see my team doing well (they're not), but I find it a one-dimensional game in the modern era. I love rugby union at their world cup, because the code allows for variations in styles of play. I love the fact that a team like Japan or the USA can do reasonably well if they stick to a strong game plan that emphasises their strengths and negates the opposition's strengths. Aussie Rules I find tedious in the extreme, but it would be hard to explain why, since it is probably no more or less limited than soccer -- even their standard of diving and feigning injuries has reached soccer-like levels, and I wonder if they have been to the Stanislawsky school of acting -- although I know it is a physically demanding and dangerous sport. Most fans of any code are quick to give their views on the problems of their own team, so they don't just save it for soccer.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
I'm tipping that if Bresciano plays, at least one goal will come from one of his trademark passes, where he uses laser-like precision to deliver the ball to the opposition in his own half.
Derby County FC
Guest
Nachos I guess I'll have to. We'll just come back stronger, win the league, go up and wave at QPR going the other way.
nachos supreme
Guest
Tony
Guest
Thanks for your comment Stevo!!
Derby County FC
Guest
Fussball That's because they fear the rise of football.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Couldn't have put it better, Freddie. I've observed the negativity comes from people who have no love for AUS football. The same people would cheer loudly for their AFL, RU or NRL teams regardless of whether they get flogged every week, every year .. but, they're enjoying jumping up & down with glee gravely discussing the National Team's shortcomings. I don't understand why they bother. I have no interest in cricket, rugby, RL so I don't comment on the quality of the Australian teams in these sports and, more importantly, I honestly couldn't care less if the AUS cricket, AUS rugby & AUS RL teams win, or lose.
Derby County FC
Guest
Exactly. I'm a Derby supporter, we know all about faith in the face of bleak reality. Good luck to you all. Carn the Socceroos.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Im a realist, and I know if we can get through our group then theres no reason we cant go all the way. Yeah, the team is brutally lacking in class, and I'd call our defense suspect, except that Im sure it's crap - but that said, they'll be wearing green and gold and representing their country, and who knows what will happen on the pitch, so carna Socceroos !
Derby County FC
Guest
I'm a realist and have no loyalty towards the Socceroos.
Freddie
Guest
Un believable the amount of negativity towards the national team. Even if they do get flogged so what? It's not so long ago most in this country would have given anything just to see the Socceroos at the World Cup. Now, it's taken for granted, and people hurl crap at them for going through generational change. It's not the fault of the current crop they aren't as good as the last lot.
Steve
Guest
I guess that it makes sense. The soccewoos are shocking so I guess they will shock the world!!!!
Derby County FC
Guest
"We can shock world in Brazil: Bresciano" .... by showing how bad a team can be yet still qualify.
Bondy
Guest
Brazil is the spiritual home of football to any supporter globally. Australia's presence there should be seen as an honour and a privilege by qualifying we've earnt the right to be there regardless of who we're grouped with. If people think we're going to beaten 3-0 5-0 and then 7-0 their going to be disappointed . Overall I cant wait for the tournament, I'm convinced Australians will be presently surprised by some outcomes we achieve there as a Nation.