Heartbreak, glory and everything in between. Anything can, and does happen in the FIFA World Cup and the Socceroos will be hoping to write a new page in Australia’s exciting footballing story.
For football fans all around the world, football fever has hit new heights as we approach the first match in Brazil.
Compulsive media consumption, pious judgment over selections and performances in friendlies, fretting over various parts of key players’ anatomies and the cruel disappointment of injury are part of fans’ daily routine.
Who will be a hero? Who will be a villain? Above all, there is the hope against hope for their team. That delicious anticipation of football is present in each of the 32 participating nations.
All will soon come to fruition in a few short days. There will be most certainly be some magic moments in Brazil.
Amid low expectations for Australia’s young squad, Socceroos fans everywhere will be hoping for just a sprinkling of that magic.
Picture this. There’s 15 minutes to go in the game against Spain. Australia are down 1-0. After courageous draws against Chile and the Netherlands, Australia needs a win to progress. Spain is already through.
Free kick outside the box. Marco Bresciano steps up to take it. Top left-hand corner. Goal. Australia erupts.
On comes A-League golden boot winner Adam Taggart. With his first touch of the ball he’s brought down in the box. Penalty. Captain Mile Jedinak steps up and spines tingle all across Australia. Goal.
Australia are through to next round against Brazil in Brazil – Australia’s biggest footballing moment!
We can dream, but whatever happens in Brazil, Australia can take heart at the state of the game at home. Having lived overseas for much of the past 10 years, and looking from afar, football in Australia looks to be in excellent shape.
Qualification for three straight FIFA World Cups and continued international success for the Matildas. An increasingly strong domestic league attracting high-calibre players and developing a pipeline of stars for the Socceroos.
Encouraging success in integration in the Asian confederation at club and national level with high hopes for the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia. Strong levels of participation at youth level and the continued spread of Australia’s vibrant and robust footballing culture.
The future certainly looks positive for football in Australia.
But back to Brazil. A home-grown coach rebuilding with youth after the Golden Generation, is about to take on the world in Brazil. Can they, as Tim Cahill has put it, make the next moment the best moment in Australia’s footballing history?
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait.
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