The Socceroos were clearly the better side against Honduras in their recent home-and-away play off series and deserved their 3-1 aggregate victory and one of the last spots in the World Cup.
Four World Cup qualifications in a row is a great achievement and the team and supporters will rightfully celebrate.
However, thoughts will soon turn to Russia in 2018. Ange Postecoglou and members of the Socceroos have all said, during the qualifying phase, that the change in playing style was intended to not only qualify for the World Cup but to make a mark on it when they arrived. The core of this team played in the last World Cup in Brazil so they should be better prepared this time around. So, what’s the Socceroos pass mark in Russia?
Firstly, a lot depends on the draw in early December. The Socceroos world ranking of number 43 gets them a spot in the lowest pool of teams, so it’s guaranteed that the three other teams in their pool will be ranked above them. Luck will have a lot to do with it and it would surely be better for the Socceroos to be selected with Russia, Croatia and Egypt rather than Germany, Spain and Denmark, both of which are possibilities.
Past World Cups give us some idea to the future. Germany in 2006 was a golden age for Australian football, with the likes of Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Mark Schwarzer and a young Tim Cahill heading up a very strong team. A win over Japan and a draw with Croatia saw Australia progress to the round of 16 knock-out stage. A very soft penalty awarded to Italy, and that’s paying it more respect than I should, ended Australia’s tournament.
(Image: AFP)
In 2010, a draw with Ghana and a win over Serbia wasn’t enough to get to the knock-out stage, with the 4-0 loss to Germany in their first game setting a large negative goal difference that the Socceroos couldn’t overcome. Having Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell sent off during the pool games didn’t help either.
After two good results in 2006 and 2010, a World Cup Brazil draw against Chile, Netherlands and Spain proved too tough for the Socceroos in 2014 and they went home winless. Ange Postecoglou was appointed very late in the process, following the sacking of Holger Osieck after the Socceroos were beaten 6-0 in warm up games against Brazil and France.
The combination of a young, inexperienced team and a tough draw unfortunately went as many had expected.
I get the feeling that this time will be different. The Socceroos will need to address their goal kicking woes from open field play but the likes of Tim Cahill, Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic should be able to create and convert more chances.
Australia’s defence has been suspect at times but the return of Mile Jedinak to the team, in a defensive midfielder role, resulted in a much more stable defence against Honduras.
A lot obviously depends on the draw but I think the Socceroos of 2018 could cause a few shocks in Russia and be very competitive in their group, challenging for a spot in the knock-out stages. They will be under very little pressure, with most offshore media writing them off completely. They won’t mind this lack of attention and will likely use it as motivation.
If they don’t win a game, we can at least console ourselves that Australia made the World Cup. Chile and the Netherlands, two of our pool games in 2014, and Italy, weren’t as fortunate.
Gavin R
Guest
Maybe making it public is not in the FFA or the national teams best interest? It'll all come to fruition in the next week
LuckyEddie
Guest
Well he has had enough time to tell us as his little game has been going on for months. Of course if he had cleared the air by now he would not be getting his ego shined by the media. Lets face it he bumbled through qualifying and beat a jet lagged team rated 69 in the World to qualify and that was via penalties and a deflected free kick. The bloke is no coaching genius and the sooner he goes plans can start to get in a real manager. He would have pocketed a million dollar bonus for falling over the line and now carries on like a sad ego freak.
chris
Guest
Exactly right. Playing in the World Cup is an achievement in itself and the joy is following the draw, the lead up games, the world exposure etc. Would love to get a favourable draw but then again if we draw a Brazil or Germany we are well and truly on the world stage.
chris
Guest
Scott go easy on Grob. He's an AFL supporter like you so expect mediocre comments at best.
Gavin R
Guest
Until his issues are made public, the knocking of Ange is a little harsh imo. You literally have absolutely no idea what his grievances are; warranted or otherwise.
punter
Guest
As expected, In Europe & Sth America, the game is like religion, in Asia, it's a slow burning fire.
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
That doesn't stop the Europeans and South Americans wishing each WC that they get an Asian gimme in their group.
Cool N Cold
Guest
Thank reminding. I ve never watched a draw. Probably, they put the ball back in if the rule is not conformed. Yeah.
punter
Guest
In 2002 Japan made round of 16 & Sth Korea made semis, not bad for poor Asian nations. In 2010 again both Japan & Sth Korea made round of 16. Showing your fangs again.
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
You can't have Australia and Iran in the same group. We will never again see a repeat of 2006, when we qualified as an Oceania member , on the eve of moving to the AFC, and were very lucky to get a weak Asian nation in our group. That will never happen again.
northerner
Guest
Both those sources clearly state that no more than two UEFA members can be in the same group.
Cool N Cold
Guest
According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_seeding, the best draw of my thinking is Aus, Iran, Switzerland and Russia. One win with 2 draws is very possible.
LuckyEddie
Guest
Wish he would drop the ego and just say yes or no. Then we can get on with it. For someone who pretends to hate the media he seems to like the attention and playing his childish games.
Cool N Cold
Guest
Your standard is the old rule. Read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_seeding or this http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=pots-announced-for-final-draw-2920191.html The rule has changed for this Russian edition. It is possible to have Germany, Spain and Denmark in the same group. This time, the rule of seeding is according to the ranking of Oct 2017.
Gavin
Guest
At this stage, I'd argue there is not a lot to predict how we will perform. The assumptions I believe you can make are; It depends entirely on our group. There are no "easy games" but there are certainly teams who are easier than others. A teams form can change dramatically between now and Russia. Injuries will also come into play. There are also teams that our style may be more effective against than others. It depends on who is the manager. Hopefully Ange stays if he can sort out the issues with the FFA. He deserves his chance after taking us so far. I think we need to be more flexible in our tactics than Ange has displayed up to this point in time. There are going to be points throughout the group stage, and particular moments in a game where we need to diversify our tactics. Anything can happen at a World Cup. Getting out of whatever group we are faced with will be an amazing achievement.
Football_Wunderkind
Roar Pro
Yeah and he says that our nightmare draw would be Germany - Spain - Denmark. You cannot have three European teams in a group. The draw rules explicitly state that. This guy needs to go back to NRL.
Football_Wunderkind
Roar Pro
Lol The Englishman can get stuffed. His team is always crap and performs below expectations. I would love England in our group. We would surely lift against them.
Scott
Roar Rookie
David Holden stop writing football articles, absolutely pathetic. Do some research before writing next time. The embarrassing league 'world cup' not engaging enough for you?
SM
Guest
This article is a shambles written by an author who probably barely follows the game. Goal kicking? Pool games? And I doubt you've ever watched Croatia and Egypt to gauge their quality. Stick to writing about League mate.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Indeed, why not! Last night I was chatting with a Belgian, Colombian, English and Swede. They all wanted Australia in their World Cup group. We are popular!