Socceroos performance one to be proud of

Ninety minutes of football was all it took for me to feel as proud as I did in 2006 when Australia reached the round of 16 at the World Cup.

For all the pre-World Cup talk, for all the doubt, Saturday morning Australia showed the sporting spirit that we have come to expect. And we shouldn’t expect anything less.

Eight months into Ange Postecoglou’s tenure and the Socceroos have begun the journey of re-establishing Australia on the world stage.

Heading into the World Cup I had my doubts. New coach, many unproven players on the grandest stage. For 20 minutes I still needed convincing, for the remaining 70, I was convinced.

After 90 minutes of football the most emphatic of emotions I felt was pride. It was an inspired effort, an effort which millions of Australians lauded on social media.

Every four years for the past three World Cups, the Socceroos have gripped the nation, which continued Saturday morning in the opening group game.

Although the result was a 3-1 loss to a highly talented Chile, to the ultimate football fan Australia wasn’t being judged on a win or loss – effort, organisation and direction were key.

The old guard departed, under Postecoglou a younger Socceroos squad have emerged. Matthew Leckie and Jason Davidson were at the forefront, Ben Halloran came in late, Tim Cahill scored to etch his name in folklore, Mark Bresciano showed he still has it. Everything seemed to fit and the direction looked right.

To many, the World Cup was a stepping stone to build a team capable of winning the 2015 Asian Cup. Judging by the opening group result, we will be firmly placed to win the tournament at home next year.

While the biggest tests in this group will be in the remaining two games against the Netherlands and Spain, if the final 70 minutes from Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá is any indication, there will be no embarrassing score lines.

That’s enough to keep this football fan happy.