There wasn’t much in the Socceroos’ 2-1 win over the UAE that suggests they know what they’re doing, but if you’re going to Steven Bradbury your way to a World Cup, it might as well be now.
The first half of Australia’s nail-biting playoff win over the United Arab Emirates in Doha was one of the worst we’ve ever witnessed from a Socceroos side.
With a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs against Peru on the line, the Socceroos did exactly what they’ve done for much of the past nine months – sat back, played conservatively, left a gaping chasm in midfield and hoped a team-mate would take responsibility.
That it was Martin Boyle who ended up being the player to take that responsibility was no real surprise, because the winger who plays for Al-Faisaly in Saudi Arabia has been Australia’s most effective player since his debut some 17 caps ago.
But Ajdin Hrustic is not far behind him, and it was his thunderous volley that sent the Socceroos past a woeful Emirati side and into a meeting against the infinitely more dangerous Peru.
And if we thought the Peruvians weren’t invested, their government has already declared Monday a national public holiday just so fans can watch the game.
It’s a stark reminder that, unlike Australia, football comes first in just about every other part of the world.
We hardly need much reminding of Peru’s quality, since La Blanquirroja played us off the park in that 2-0 win over Bert van Marwijk’s side at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
(Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Six of that 2018 squad started in the 1-0 friendly win over New Zealand last week, including goalkeeper and current captain Pedro Gallese, right back Aldo Corzo and midfielders Pedro Aquino, Andre Carrillo, Christian Cueva and Yoshimar Yotun.
And just like the Socceroos, Peru is also home to a striker who some believed should never have been called up in the first place.
Gianluca Lapadula may not be a household name in Australia, but he’s quickly become a cult hero in Peru. That’s because the Turin-born Benevento striker is fanatically devoted to his national team.
Lapadula played a solitary game for Italy B back in 2017, but the one-time Milan striker qualifies for the South American side through his Peruvian mother.
And although he’s only scored seven goals in total for his new national side, Lapadula is immensely popular in Peru for his all-action style and willingness to physically throw himself about.
He’s already scored a couple of key goals in Peru’s qualification campaign to date and, not surprisingly, he scored the winner against the All Whites in Barcelona last week.
In other words, the Socceroos come up against an opponent boasting a striker who actually scores goals.
But that’s unlikely to worry coach Graham Arnold, who has approached the final round of qualifiers with an upbeat disposition that’s close to bordering on the insane.
(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Arnie’s latest suggestion is that our best chance to beat Peru is by displaying “Aussie DNA” – as if we’re not just about to play a national team renowned for their passion.
You get the sense Arnie will say just about anything at this stage of the campaign.
And truth be told, this Peruvian side is beatable.
But the Socceroos will have to display some competent playoff football along with whatever ‘Aussie DNA’ is supposed to be if they’re to squeeze through to the World Cup finals via the back door.
This has been a hot mess of a campaign overseen by a coach who has looked increasingly out of his depth with every passing game.
But this is the national team, so we have to believe.
To Arnie, Ajdin, Martin and the rest of the squad, now is the time. This may have been the most unconvincing qualification campaign in history, but no one will remember that once you book your ticket to the World Cup finals.
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
Its Lost Cause - are you going to Peru's national Day of Mourning No Mates? maybe they will get a week off even. Very passionate these Peruvians,
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
As I said, Australia does not need to win the game to qualify.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
Will take it if it comes that way but I'd rather not flip a coin to work out if we're going through.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
Youth
Macroma
Guest
Bruce’s comment says it all about why rugby will remain a minor sport. As has been the case for some years now, even in GPS schools in NSW and Queensland, there are now as many boys playing football as are playing rugby - let alone the rest of mainstream Australia. I don’t know whether Bruce’s very generous assessment of himself as “an educated Australian” is more embarrassing for himself or the GPS school which he attended - perhaps Riverview or Shore on the LNS. Both these schools have strong football programs. Football has easily been Riverview’s most successful sport over the last 25 years. In GPS rugby, Shore is looking likely to become the the fourth NSW GPS school that is no longer able to field a first or second fifteen. Football is easily the most popular participation sport on the Lower North Shore, as it is in Australia as a whole - check out the Australian Sports Commission official government statistics. Football’s future in Oz, Asia and the world is bright - rugby’s dismal.
Macroma
Guest
Your comment says it all about why rugby will remain a minor sport even in GPS schools in NSW and Queensland, there are now as many boys playing football as are playing rugby.
Ferno
Guest
I call it Fanaticism, not passion. But you are right: south american supporters cross the line very often, so do european hooligans. Thumbs up for australian supporters in this matter. Sport is the most important thing among those things that are not important at all
Grem
Roar Rookie
I love sport, but I hate violence. Away fans unable to attend games, attacks on away fans’ buses, threats against referees, ridiculous pressure and expectations on players, poor sportsmanship when losing, etc. In the end it’s only sport and I’d hate to see that “passion” here. I thought these were pretty basic ways I dislike “passion”, but at least you can sleep now.
FootballAddict
Roar Rookie
A lot of off the mark comments put forward here. The main difference between this campaign and previous ones is the Thursday followed by Tuesday matches. Not only has this impacted our teams preparation by virtually arriving in Australia 1-2 days, but also impacted the attendances ( prior to Covid crowds were down). Where is the home advantage with this schedule? The FA has to challenge future schedules. I don't enjoy Arnold's method of managing OUR team and my worst fears when he was appointed, have come true. However, here we are, at the point of no return and we have to all give 100%, fans included. Lets not forget only weeks ago a little country called North Macedonia knocked out mighty Italy who are the current Euro champions. Of course just like Peru, Italy are far superior, but on a one off match anything can happen and Italy are out. Anything can happen over 90 mins. Australia and its fans must not lose the game before it even starts. Go for it Australia, give it everything. We will be watching with fingers crossed.
chris
Guest
Good luck to the 'roos tomorrow morning. 99.9% of Aussies will be supporting. The .1% who wont be supporting are the Rugby fans like Bruce. There aren't many of them.
IrelandsCall
Roar Rookie
"We will never match the passion of South America and in many ways I am glad" - Please, please enlighten us more with the ways, even some of the ways. I'm intrigued. I want to know in how many ways you are glad. I fear I may not sleep tonight thinking about all those possible ways. At least give me six before bedtime?
coolncold
Roar Rookie
I did not believe Socceroos could pass UAE in Middle East. But they did. And Peru could just won New Zealand by the opposition's fault of the goalie. No one tipped that Australia can win, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpU9We1peVA But I think it is a 50/50 match.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
yep, hopefully aussies make another world cup.
IrelandsCall
Roar Rookie
"But this is the national team, so we have to believe." Say what? I would love for the team to qualify but just because they are our national team I don't have to believe it. In fact if they do qualify I will look at the result in the morning and say "I don't believe it!". Not this time folks - Peru 3 Soceroos 0
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
The Huggies Socceroos vs Peru.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I like to tell myself that Australia have never played a World Cup qualifier at the MCG.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
How many hours to go??? I might wet my pants before that :laughing:
Dan Murphy
Guest
Getting to here is arguably a par for Arnold given the players at his disposal, unavailability, COVID etc. Win and he's a fair dinkum legend
Grem
Roar Rookie
I wasn’t writing a submission and I didn’t say give football the money because it needs it (even though it does). If I was writing a submission it would be full of bs like many submissions are. I believe it deserves better funding, based on its participation numbers. Taxpayer’s money for sport should be shared out fairly. If 2000000 people play football and 200000 play league then football should receive 10x more. I realise this won’t happen because fairness and government spending of taxpayer’s money don’t normally go together – just look at the funding for private schools compared to public by the federal government. I also realise certain sports will need more help from time to time as situations occur. If our previous federal government can blow 3.2 billion on their failed submarine deal then there is certainly money that can be used better.
JimmyJax
Guest
It's Bruce from the university of wooloomooloo philosophising !