Despite early elimination, the Ange Postecoglou era has started with a good measure of promise.
Any judgment of the Socceroos’ 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign needs to start around nine months ago, when we saw the Socceroos concede 12 unanswered goals in 180 minutes to Brazil and France.
These poor results had followed a tough and successful, but ultimately uninspiring, qualification campaign through Asia.
Changes needed to be made and in the intervening nine months, Ange Postecoglou has cleaned house, backed his new horses to the hilt and introduced a fresh footballing philosophy.
That philosophy, with a bit more attacking ruthlessness and defensive guile, could well have guided the Socceroos to at least a draw and possibly a victory in their tough group.
It was not to be this time and the Socceroos’ early elimination on day six of the World Cup was somewhat deflating.
Yet the Socceroos have rightly earned plaudits for their plucky and technically sound displays, particularly in the first two games.
The old hands proved both brilliant and steady.
Beyond scoring in three World Cups and being Australia’s leading scorer, Tim Cahill’s brilliance dragged Australia back into both the Chile and Netherlands games.
His goal against the Netherlands will rate among the best, if not the best, of the tournament. His two yellows the only sour note, Timmy Cahill has well and truly demonstrated he is undoubtedly Australia’s greatest footballer at an international level.
Mark Bresciano battled solidly despite his ailing body and Mile Jedinak led from the front. New stars were born and the youngsters grew into the challenge.
Mathew Leckie is the new 10 million dollar man after his powerful performances, Jason Davidson performed strongly on the left side, Matthew Spiranovic marshalled the defence with new-found maturity and Oliver Bozanic and Ben Halloran impressed when they had the chance.
Players like Matt McKay, Mark Milligan, Alex Wilkinson, Mat Ryan, Ivan Franjic, Tommy Oar and Ryan McGowan played with heart and put in solid performances.
And names like Bailey Wright, Adam Taggart and James Troisi are now in the frame for the future.
The Socceroos were the better team for much of the two matches against Chile and the Netherlands but they just couldn’t nail those decisive moments that Timmy Cahill had earlier spoken of.
Whether it was those three minutes against Chile, where the team’s defensive efforts were all at sea and conceded two goals, or Oar’s cross to Leckie’s chest immediately before Holland’s third winning goal, the fairy-tale wasn’t to be.
Ultimately results matter and Australia’s failure to get a point when it mattered is a big strike.
Spain’s comfortable 3-0 victory in the dead rubber also showed how far the Socceroos still have to travel to match it consistently with world-class opposition. Cahill’s absence in particular seemed to nullify Australia’s attacking threat.
But the strong performances from the team showed there is hope for the future and maybe it was too much to expect too soon.
With all that in mind, I think the Socceroos’ campaign warrants a C-.
Judgment of the campaign will shift if the Socceroos build on the positives under Postecoglou if they challenge for the Asian Cup, qualify for the next World Cup and become a team to be reckoned with in Russia.
Postecoglou’s attitude is clear – this is what he’s shooting for.
I reckon the Socceroos ought to be aiming for a top 15 ranking by the time Russia 2018 rolls around.
Ambitious? Yes. But achievable? Yes.
With stalwarts Bresciano and Cahill likely soon out of the picture, with an Asian Cup swan song possible, new Socceroos’ goal scorers and playmakers will need to step up, and soon.
It will certainly be an interesting seven months for the team in the lead-up to the Asian Cup on home soil.
So over to you fellow Roarers – what rating would you give the Socceroos’ overall campaign at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and why?
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