It is indeed “about bloody time” a footballer was honoured with a statue outside Allianz Stadium, as the late Johnny Warren was this weekend.
Warren was a legendary player for the Socceroos and a vocal advocate for football during his long media career, so it’s only right that a figure who did so much for the game was unveiled as the first footballer to be immortalised by the SCG Trust.
Warren long wished to see the Socceroos make a mark in Asia, and as the reigning Asian Cup champions, it’s safe to say Ange Postecoglou’s team would have fulfilled that wish.
But having conquered Asia on home soil, is there a danger the Australian public might have grown weary of watching the Socceroos go around?
It’s a timely question to ask, given that the Socceroos run out against Jordan in Sydney tomorrow in what is shaping as an important World Cup qualifier.
The Socceroos can top their group in advancing to the third round of Asian qualifying, against a Jordanian team which has already inflicted a 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture in Amman.
That loss represents the only dropped points of the campaign for Postecoglou and his men, who will be eager for revenge against a side that recently drafted in Harry Redknapp as manager for the final two games of this qualifying round.
Whether Redknapp can inspire the 82-ranked Jordan to another boilover victory remains to be seen, but plenty of pundits will have at least one eye on the attendance figure.
Australia drew a respectable 35,000 to the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night, in a match in which striker Apostolos Giannou enjoyed an impressive debut in the green and gold.
Plenty of South Australian fans were disappointed that star man Tim Cahill failed to get on the park, although it’s understandable Postecoglou wanted to save Cahill’s legs for a tougher test on Tuesday.
While some fans were invariably hoping to see Cahill add to his 45 goals in Australian colours on an ordinary Adelaide pitch, they’ll have to wait until the Socceroos run out in more familiar surrounds in Sydney.
There was plenty of social media angst earlier this month when it was announced that Football Federation Australia had signed a long-term deal with the New South Wales government to play Socceroos and Matildas fixtures in Sydney for the next five years.
While cities like Perth and Adelaide both waited years to host meaningful internationals, the deal no doubt reflects the economic reality of hosting marquee matches, with Destination NSW willing and able to stump up the cash.
It’s all well and good to play internationals in Sydney – the Socceroos, after all, have a great record in the city – but will fans continue to turn out and support the team?
It’s been three years since the Socceroos last played at Allianz Stadium, when just over 20,000 fans turned out to see Cahill – who else? – score the only goal in Postecoglou’s international managerial debut in a 1-0 friendly win over Costa Rica.
Plenty has happened since, not least a historic Asian Cup win, however FFA officials are no doubt quietly pleased there are points on the line tomorrow night.
At $45 for the cheapest adult ticket behind the goals, watching the national team is never a cheap proposition – although it should be said these types of fixtures only come around every so often.
And with the Socceroos desperately needing home fans to recreate the sort of atmospheres which once rattled the likes of Uruguay and Argentina in Sydney, here’s hoping the stands are close to full.
With a couple of blockbuster friendlies against Greece coming up in June, there’s no danger of the Socceroos staying out of the limelight for long.
But in the meantime there are World Cup points to play for – and with any luck, a renewed appreciation for the national team.
Slycstart
Guest
Im going to the game tonight! And my gf is coming to her first live socceroos match too :)
Mister Football
Roar Guru
You would expect that the recent Adelaide crowd would be matched given the importance of the fixture.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
They've shown an interview of Rednapp a few times, talking highly of Timmy, etc.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Anything below 30k is not good enough for Sydney, ok if it's a little wet 25k might be ok.. Top spot in the group on the line and the opposition shouldn't really come into it, our team is as an exciting Australian team as we've ever had. Perth and Adelaide were given pub teams but turned out in very good numbers.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Did people really not understand what the deal was? Seems like some media big wig realised how many clicks they could get from disgruntled football fans with that headline.
jupiter53
Roar Pro
Of course it will rain. A precedent was set during the Asian Cup, and now every national team game in Sydney will be wet. It's carefully timed to coincide with the Easter sales of "Mountain Design", "Kathmandu" etc. I will have my Goretex jacket and pants, and a garbage bag to sit on, because the rain protection at Allianz is pathetic.
marron
Guest
It's gonna rain isn't it.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Life is what you make it and if you choose to immerse yourself in such a place of hostility and volatility then your life will without a doubt be affected. You enjoy your follower account increase everyday. I just hope you have a balance in which you are still able to have done sort of meaningful social interaction face to face.
Mark
Guest
Thanks mate. Marron is pretty much right. I park on Sth Dowling St near the Bat and Ball. Get moving once the game finishes and I can be back at the car by 10pm. Quick U-turn at the lights and it's pretty easy going from there
Squizz
Guest
I'll be there with 2 workmates. First time I've shelled out for CAT A tickets for a Socceroos game.
Ken
Guest
I had every intention of going to the match (I navigated to the ticketek site to purchase) and I was like you, I saw prices starting from $20 and thought, good value. I then found out they were kids prices. Adult tickets start at $50. I would have paid $50 for a half decent seat but nosebleed for $50, I don't think so! It's unjustified at this stage of the qualifiers. It's a pity as I enjoy watching the national team, especially at the moment, they're a class team!
marron
Guest
Once out of the car park it'd be pretty much plain sailing I should think. You've got a bit more to contend with....
Waz
Guest
Well said. Hope the seats are good :)
marron
Guest
Ah boban. there's a massive difference between a 1 minute symbolic statement which means "the result doesn't matter, we will be here win lose or draw" and "can't watch, tweeting".
Waz
Guest
Best time to place a quick bet during the Poznan surely?
Les Mara
Roar Rookie
The Sydneysiders will turn out. This team we do want to get behind, we are on the cusp of seeing something special from this squad.
AZ_RBB
Guest
100% would have taken an extra day off work and attended if I didn't just start a new job. Really keen for the match though.
jupiter53
Roar Pro
I am only coming from the Blue Mountains but don't expect to get home much before midnight. How the hell are you going to get back to Canberra by 1? BTW, full respect for coming that distance.
jupiter53
Roar Pro
NSW person, not moaning. Will be there. Have arranged time off work so I can get there. Transport on Sydney is always crappy so what's new! Tickets are [relatively] expensive but when I logged on to see what I could get I was informed that I could still get multiples of the cheap seats. However I could only buy singles of the more expensive tickets. Either there was some anomaly in the website, or a lot of tickets have been sold. So I will be going with my daughter and her boyfriend, and my brother and 3 of his friends. Really looking forward to the game. Something important at stake, and having been going to Socceroos games since 1969 vs Israel at the unlamented precursor to the SFS, how could I [or anyone who cares] miss this game. Especially when you consider how much the standard of the team has improved!
Cugel
Roar Rookie
According to Wikipedia, there was already statues of four footballers.