“Their national team owes its nickname to the combination of two words: ‘soccer’, as they and the North Americans call football, and ‘kangaroo’, the symbol of the country.
“For years, they have been the ugly ducklings of sport in their country. This is the land where cricket abounds, a game like baseball but played closer to the ground and with matches that can last for days. It also has ‘Australian football’, a very violent hybrid of football and rugby.”
Yes, it’s been another totally normal day in the Argentine media, as they try to get to grips with what a Socceroo is and what they can do about it.
Those were the words of A24, a TV channel in Argentina as they attempted to get to the bottom of this Australian sports landscape. Don’t worry, we don’t quite understand it either.
Even more confusing was our beloved green and gold, with several outlets running stories to the effect of “que?” about the national sporting colours of Australia, which, as we all know, bear no relation to our flag.
“The uniform is inspired by the Australian acacia, the floral emblem of the country,” read La Nacion, a fact that, I’ll admit, I didn’t know myself.
“The large shrub, very popular in Australia, has green leaves and yellow flowers, the same hues as the national sports uniforms. The rugby team, known as the ‘Wallabies’ wear the same colours as the soccer team and are one of the most competitive rugby teams in the world.”
Well, La Nacion clearly tuned in to the victory over Wales last week, though maybe skipped a few of the other games before that, including the one where they lost 48-17 to the Pumas.
After running the rule over the team that defeated Denmark yesterday, the papers in Buenos Aires seem to have given their mates in Lima a call, because they are suddenly all over Andrew Redmayne, hero of Australia’s shootout win over Peru that got them into Qatar 2022.
Redmayne is yet to feature at the World Cup, but might get a run if the knockout clash ends up in a shootout, which caught the attention of the Argentinian journos.
“A goalkeeper who saves penalties is not a great novelty, but Redmayne’s hallmark is the dances and jumps that he does before being kicked,” wrote Ole, one of the biggest sports newspapers in Argentina.
“In fact, he copied the line from an Australian children’s show, The Wiggles, because “they’re on my TV at home all day because of my little girl.”
“Although it was the moment of greatest worldwide repercussion of the “Redmayne style”, it has also been repeated in the local league – with the addition that the rival kicker on that occasion was his national team colleague, Jason Cummings, who encouraged him to dance. He did it again and imagine what the result was: he was right, his team went through.”
Yep, Ole were watching the Australia Cup tie between Sydney FC and the Mariners back in July, where Redmayne saved from the Cumdog in a shootout.
Daily La Prensa went big, quite literally, on the size advantage that the Socceroos will have over the Argentinians on Sunday morning (AEDT), referred to the ‘fortress of the Kangaroos’.
“If Australia has anything going for it, it’s muscle and height,” they wrote. “All of Graham Arnold’s players average 1.80m, at least. (Milos) Degenek is 1.87m. And Harry Soutar, the first central defender…1.98m. The keeper? The quite short Mat Ryan stands at 1.84m.”
La Prensa did have the tactical breakdown handy, though you don’t have to be Pep Guardiola to work it out.
“The proposals made by the coach are flexible. Flexible to sit back, at least when they know they are inferior to their rival: 4-1-4-1, 4-2-3-1 or the more classic 4-4-2.
“It will be seen which one he resorts to on Saturday, or which ones. Surely it will vary with how the game goes and the team’s needs.
“Australia knows that, up to now, it has reached a dream stage. But they will try to stretch that dream. They have no fear.”
Fair dinkum, che.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Denmark had 13 shots, 10 off target, and 70% possession. Can't see Argentina wasting that much of either, but agree about Arnie's reaction to France, lucky to get them first.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Denmark didnt really have any big chances, Australian goal was a difficult chance , and Leckie took it and there was only a couple of other longshots. Tunisia had better chances and blew them. The reason Denmark play went to the dogs is the fatigue and pressure from the previous 2 games. If they had won against Tunisia they would have relaxed against France and then been totally different. Australia secret to success is Arnies approach to France and handling the defeat. If it had been Ange they would have gone hell for leather to the last moment, spent everything and been done for the rest of the tournament. Accepting defeat and being positive after it made Australia succeed. Mentally Australia have the big advantage because they have nothing to lose and have been under no stress so far, Argentina have been under enormous stress, losing the first match to Saudi Arabia, if they had done as others have and used a B team for the last match and lost it, then Argentina would be in a totally different place. Arnies mental delusions have served Australia well psychologically and physicaly, with the lack of effort in the first game. They have defended poorly on the flanks in every game the last one against Denmark it was lucky they ran out of juice after 20 minutes. The lack of pressure has resulted in excellent finishing, 3 goals with less quality chances than Lukaku got in one half.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The money factor favours Australia . Making the round of 16 was worth about 150k to squad members , and the next stage is 200k. That sort of money is small change to Argentinian players, the Australians would be the poorest earning team in the tournament, Mooy left his Chinese salary , Boyle left his Saudi salary , I think Sainsbury would be the highest paid Australian player at the moment and he is having a holiday at the world cup. Kuol was on peanuts at the Mariners might be the highest earner in the squad. Costa Rica their goal keeper earns more than the rest of their squad, take him out they would be the only other squad that is as poor as the Australians.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I'm realistic, Denmark blew a number of chances, that helped. Some of their passing was not up to international standard, balls going where players weren't. I don't want to take anything away from Australia, we stopped more than a few chances they created, and we created a couple of great chances ourselves. And took one of them, that was enough. But I will be very surprised if Argentine play below international standard or waste many chances. I'm full of hope, but that's about it.
Mike Meehall Wood
Editor
Labhraíonn tú mo theanga Pád...
chris
Guest
Sounds like a respectable view of where we stand etc and our playing abilities. Obviously we are not of Argentina quality but neither were Japan and Spain. And look what happened there. And whilst we may not have anywhere near as much ball as they will, it doesn't mean you have to play awful football. When we do get the ball, be positive, incisive and a bit of quality. Which is exactly what we've done the past 2 matches. We probably have a 20% chance of winning. But sudden death - anything can happen.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The list I saw its Serbia followed by Denmark and France, Australia are about 10th shortest but the starting line up average is taller. Australia has used 20 players of its 26 man squad. Australia was ranked 3rd lowest squad at the world cup and I think Argentina 8th highest.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
The polish team was the second tallest in the competition while Argentina ranks 28, which team won? Height does not have much to do in soccer. To win the WC you need depth and Argentina has used 21 players of the 26 in the three previous games, which means it does not have must starters besides Messi. It is a good team overall that had a misfortune game against SA, This is soccer and anything can happen, but Argentina seems to have a better team than Australia.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The average height of the squad is possibly the shortest ever for an Australian team. The only tall attacker is Duke 186 The only tall midfielder is Irvine 189 Souttar being 198 is obviously the tallest defender. Goal keeper Matt Ryan is only 184 I suppose having the tallest players for each position in the starting lineup apart from Redmayne, and usually the ones most involved in the action gives that impression.
Paddy
Roar Rookie
Mike, there are parallels in this Australian team with the Irish under Jack Charlton at Italia 90. His was a team with many more stars than the current Socceroos team, but Charlton, like Arnold, harnessed grit, high press, brotherhood and the simple joy of his players being on the biggest stage to galvanise the Irish nation behind his team. Charlton, like Arnold, had many critics for what were pretty agricultural tactics - particularly given the players available to him - (he did not take Liam Brady to the tournament). Regardless, what a trip that was, and what a trip this is.