It may have been one of the ugliest wins of all time, but the Socceroos have reached the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup with a stirring 1-0 victory over Denmark overnight.
They just couldn’t have done it any other way.
Just seconds after Wahbi Khazri opened the scoring for Tunisia against France in Group D’s other match – a goal that put the Socceroos behind in the standings – the Aussies broke quickly on the counter-attack through Riley McGree in their suddenly must-win encounter.
Mat Leckie still had it all to do, but as he’s so often done for both club and country, the veteran winger turned Danish defender Joakim Maehle inside and out before arrowing a left-footed finish across Kasper Schmeichel and into the bottom corner.
It was a goal started by Australia’s colossus in defence Harry Souttar and one that for the third game in a row made a mockery of pre-tournament fears the Socceroos couldn’t score from open play.
And it’s bad news for Graham Arnold’s critics, who now have to watch one of Australian sport’s most maligned coaches lead his team into the knock-out stage of a World Cup.
Let’s be honest though – this was hardly a vintage Socceroos performance. The Aussies were on the back foot for most of the first half and did well to go into the break deadlocked at 0-0.
And when Arnie substituted the attacking Craig Goodwin at half-time for the more defensive Keanu Baccus – who was excellent, it must be said – it looked like the Aussies simply planned to shut up shop.
But Khazri’s goal for Tunisia in the other game against France changed the complexion of the group and meant the Socceroos could no longer rely on a draw to progress.
They were probably fortunate Leckie scored immediately thereafter, sparing the Socceroos an even nervier final half hour.
And for all Denmark’s precise passing and clinical counter-attacks, they still never really looked like breaching Mat Ryan’s goal.
That’s partly because Souttar resembled an immovable object in the Socceroos’ back four, and partly because luck just seemed to be on Australia’s side.
There was a nerve-jangling moment when the Danes were denied a penalty by an offside flag after finicky Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal pointed to the spot for an apparent handball.
The six minutes of stoppage time at the end of the second half was no picnic either – not least when substitute Andreas Cornelius planted a free header from a corner just over Ryan’s crossbar.
But the Aussies held on for a famous win – and will now prepare for the knock-out stages of the biggest sporting event in the world!
It was a reminder that world football doesn’t start and end with Europe.
And it was vindication for Graham Arnold, who now holds the distinction of being the first ever Australian-born coach to win back-to-back games at a men’s World Cup.
Love him or loathe him, Arnie deserves his moment in the sun.
And the scenes of jubilation at a jam-packed Federation Square in Melbourne – not to mention throughout loungerooms across Australia – are a reminder that the Socceroos belong at this level.
The last few years have been a real struggle for Australian football, but the Socceroos’ heroic performances in Qatar can help turn things around.
It’s a far cry from barely a year ago when Arnie was on desperately thin ice after his COVID-plagued side stumbled in qualifying.
Now, he’s guided his side to the final 16 of the World Cup.
Drink it in, Aussie football fans. So many other countries would do anything to be in this position.
But on the back of one of the all-time greatest performances from an Australian sporting team, the Socceroos are through to the knock-out stage.
You little ripper! This one’s for the true believers.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
You're wrong. Its supposedly a 3 year deal for Aud$770m But seasons are only half the year so they probably plan to sell him off to someone like a US club in the off-season. Still great money at 38 years for the best footballer of all time; to date. Tiger Woods gets over $4m dollars daily when actually playing (vs contract). And the sponsors say they win big. I think Ronaldos backers would say similar.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
No Japan defeated Spain and Germany, hence Germany are going home. Pretty epic huh? Japan finish top of their group and Spain second
NoMates
Roar Rookie
I think you meant Sth Korea not Saudi in the R16, but yeah how cool is that.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Asian football has spoken. Japan Australia and Saudi in the final sixteen and all on the back of quality football. The AFC will now be seen in a different way br Europe and Sth America
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Mate nobody gives a rat's about your backyard code based opinion. When your feeble sport has a world cup that extends beyond either the suburbs of Melbourne or changing the shirts of NRL players to make them look like international teams come and see us. What really annoys me is that what you thought was ballsy in making that post was nothing more than infantile. Ballsy is what those Ukrainian soldiers are doing. Go away!
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Love ya work Bonz, and on behalf of all the stalwarts on this forum, thanks for seeing what a lot of others don't, the potential in Australian football and what's being achieved. Keep the faith brother, support Australian football. Cheers FIL
Bonza
Roar Rookie
That's exactly what I've been doing for the last hour at work. Scanning the A-League teams and getting my head around it. Was a Sydney City Slickers fan back in the days of the mighty John Kosmina. It's good to be back.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Bonz, we if we rejuvenate one, there are potentially more. Hallelujah, welcome back to the fold, hopefully you will take a look at the A-League and see where our current national team come from. I think you will be suprised. And as for Dalgleish, man those were the days. Football was brilliant back then
Saffi
Roar Rookie
I’ve written many comments on the Roar football page over the last year about how Arnie is a terrible coach and that we won’t make the World Cup under his management. This is my public apology Graham. You are a genius and you have made the Socceroos a fighting and passionate football outfit. Win or lose against Argentina I am so proud of the boys and you. Well done ????????.
Republican
Guest
Only in Soccer, could a mediocre team steal victory from a superior one. I endured a friendly on tele pre WC, between Australia and NZ, which only confirmed my long held opinion that Australian Soccer, despite the grass roots support for the game here, remains predictable, mediocre and lacking in attacking skill and flair. NZ were the more dynamic side for mine, yet they didn't qualify for this WC. The Kiwis could hold possession with slick accurate passing between players when in attack and defence, yet they lost the contest courtesy of a counter kick out of our defensive zone, which was capitalised on by a solo moment of supposed brilliance, to score. This epitomises what has long been an Australian Soccer strategy, which is to stack the defence due to our inability to hold possession when in attack. We seem to rely instead on the big kick into the oppositions defensive zone in the vain hope one of our X factor players might run on to capitalise on any chink in the oppositions defence. This offers no strategic build up whatsoever and if anything is more about luck. The Argies will be far too dynamic to be hijacked by this negative ruse, while Soccer will be the better for their commanding victory I reckon. The delusional Australian Soccer faithful may well enjoy their hyperbolic moment in the sun, knowing this will be a brief moment. In the meantime, NZ could make the cut next WC, qualifying at our expense, after all this is the world game, where time really does stand still on and off the pitch.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
In what way do they not earn that?
Raj
Guest
Always seemed to me to be largely a Sydney Melbourne thing But then this is a Sydney site
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
It’s a bit like surfing LH, everyone is a legend in the smaller surf. Fast forward to a big storm swell and……..queue the crickets. Where’s Old Mate Bruce from East Sydney. I am not going to say a word.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
And that's because what they're seeing is causing the requirement for a new pair of trousers, when they consider what this means for the Australian sporting landscape, the future definition of David and Goliath, and the fact that we're bringing home extra cash for Australian football. Keep the faith, support Australian football!
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
haven't heard that one
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
the click is not good for the game
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
We should aim to be resident in the top 20 world rankings, male and top 5 female. Anything less is a fail.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Why the Argentinians always got penalties suddenly?
Marcel
Guest
I wonder if Arnie will motivate the boys with his " order me an ambulance" speech?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
travel log?