Opinion
The 2-1 loss to Argentina on Sunday morning was difficult to accept, given how much the country was invested in every moment along the journey.
Disappointment is only natural after an elimination, but there are many positives to take away from a successful World Cup campaign.
Firstly, hope was restored regarding the amount of interest and passion that Australians showed for the Socceroos and football in general.
Tens and thousands of people gathered as one across the nation at live events to watch history unfold and share the experience with so many who share the same love.
It proved why football is the most popular sport in Australia, which is consistently growing both with boys and girls.
The tournament experienced in Qatar was undoubtedly Australia’s most successful World Cup, breaking records and showing the fight and Aussie spirit that would make any young kind dream and aspire to play for the green and gold one day.
There have been a few key moments throughout Australian football that has carried such a driving force for exponential growth.
From the penalty shootout triumph against Uruguay to the 2006 World Cup campaign to Alessandro Del Piero’s A-League arrival to the silverware won at the 2015 Asian Cup on home soil, Australia has had so many opportunities that have failed to be capitalised on.
Australia’s incredible run during the past couple of weeks represents yet another chance to keep improving the game in this country.
This time though, the opportunity needs to be taken with both hands. The more opportunities we waste, the longer we are forced to wait to truly compete with the best in the world, and the further we fall behind as a footballing nation.
As mentioned a moment ago, this campaign will definitely inspire a new generation to become footballers and make it their number one sport.
The question is, how long can we keep kids playing for and attract them to play in the first place? The answer is reducing the astronomical and ridiculous junior fees.
Australia will only attract the best players that can afford it now and it’s as simple as that.
Some of the best players in the world from countries in Africa and South America come from a background of poverty and start out with nothing just kicking a ball out of paper or socks in the streets.
Are we seriously made to believe that if parents can afford to pay a few thousand dollars each year to register their son or daughter that it will translate to success before they even entertain the thought of those kids kicking a ball?
Back in the UK, football is obviously the biggest sport over there compared to Australia, but juniors can rock up at the start of the season and start training at no cost. If they made the team, it would mean paying subs each week and trying and spend some money at the club each week on food and the like.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Obviously, it has changed a bit, but that’s still the essence of what it is over there and Australia should follow a similar path.
Until we are able to implement affordable costs for all as well as a better standard of coaching with an improved scouting network to analyse the next generation of kids coming through, nothing will progress.
Throughout the World Cup, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was full of praise for the Socceroos and showed his support.
That is very much appreciated, but the funding that football has received is a major barrier for this sport to break through here.
Shockingly, football received $7,903,750 in 2021/22, which was less than:
– Athletics ($10,747,326)
– Basketball ($8,018,784)
- Cycling ($14,496,436)
– Hockey ($9,846,636)
- Sailing ($9,581,000)
– Swimming (9,467,670)
It is amazing to think of how often Australia punches above its weight in both football and basketball considering they are funded less compared to the other big codes.
Two sports that demonstrate the power of the global game where interest is at an all-time high.
The Socceroos did not have the most talented squad compared to previous major tournaments, in fact, it was considered as the worst by many.
(Photo by Shaun Botterill – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
If they can show the heart and desire to reach the knockout stage of the biggest sporting event on the planet, imagine what this country can achieve if we are doing our absolute best to produce the very best players.
Unfortunately, the World Cup only rolls around once every four years, so the hype needs to be continued through the interest in Australia’s domestic competition, being the A-League.
Yes, the quality has somewhat dipped compared to its peak around a decade ago, but what would happen to the game here if the support we witnessed around the country for the Socceroos was translated to the A-league and supporting your local club?
The advertising and access to the game are vitally important to sustain this much-wanted excitement around the game.
Can the media also play a role in making sure football is protected from others wanting to put it down? Of course, they can.
The AFL releasing its fixtures at 6am on Sunday morning right when Australia kicked off their game against Argentina is the perfect example.
Footy cannot stand the attention being received such as the Socceroos’ recent success, so they find they need to make their own spotlight.
People will come out and argue that no one checks the fixtures that early or that if football believes that the release is capable of derailing a World Cup appearance then there is little faith in their own sport.
The fact of the matter is that it was highly embarrassing and incredibly petty. There is a time and a place for everything.
The best thing that came out of it was the large number of media figures that slammed the AFL for the move such as Stephen Quatermain and Caroline Wilson who are associated with Aussie rules.
Other codes will continue to put the game down through their jealousy, but that is where football needs to keep standing its ground and focus on what it needs to do to grow the game.
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
The potential for this country is so large that it is actually very exciting to think about what can be achieved with some solid planning and long-term goals to help create the necessary stepping stones.
Make the game affordable, advertise the A-league, and attract indigenous athletes to make football their sport. The dream to make the game instrumental here can soon become a reality.
If countries such as Croatia and Holland with a population of around 4 million and 17 million respectively can make a massive impact on the game, then why can’t we, Australia?
The women’s World Cup hosted in Australia and New Zealand next year will also create excitement around the sport and further showcase just how much football is capable of becoming massive in a country dominated by other codes.
The Socceroos have laid down the foundations, now it’s the responsibility of Football Australia, the media, the government, and most importantly every single individual to carry the momentum forward into something much better.
Australia has qualified for five straight World Cups and reached the knockout stage a couple of times. Now, the goal is to become the favourite rather than the constant underdog and pray for miracles.
It is about time Australia realises its incredible potential. The future is bright.
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