Melbourne loves to proclaim itself the sporting capital of Australia, but it seems some fans keep forgetting to check their A-League allegiances at the door when supporting the Socceroos.
Australia’s routine 7-0 victory over Bangladesh on Thursday night was the perfect way for Graham Arnold’s team to kick-start their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
Jamie Maclaren bagged a second-half hat-trick on his home ground, Mitch Duke and Brandon Borrello looked effective up front in the first half, and the towering Harry Souttar reminded the rest of Asia that he’s arguably the most dangerous set-piece finisher on the continent.
The only thing missed was a stoppage-time penalty, with Massimo Luongo’s stutter-step spot-kick easily saved by Bangladesh’s outstanding teenager goalkeeper, Mitul Marma.
All in all it was as comfortable a win as could be expected on a chilly night in Melbourne, even if plenty of Socceroos fans would have loved to have seen a debut goal from second-half substitute, Kusini Yengi.
The former Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers striker has made a decent start to life at League One leaders Portsmouth, with the powerful front man the latest in a long line of attempts to unearth a genuine No.9 up front.
Newly promoted Machida Zelvia striker Duke has performed as well as anyone in the role, but Arnie and his coaching staff would no doubt love to find another goal-scorer with an equally imposing physical presence.
Yengi went close with one near-post drive that was well saved by Marma, while it invariably made sense to allow Luongo to take the penalty given his seniority – even if the Ipswich Town midfielder’s unconvincing effort suggests that should probably be the last one he takes.
But while the Socceroos learned a few lessons on the pitch against an obviously outmatched Bangladeshi outfit, a few aspects off the pitch left a bit to be desired.
Starting with the fact that eight months after the Socceroos last played on Australian soil – an ill-tempered 2-1 friendly defeat to Ecuador at Docklands – the national team returned to the same city once again to face an opponent with all the box office appeal of a trip to the dentist.
Football Australia has made it abundantly clear that Socceroos games are for sale to the highest bidder, and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the key qualifying home games for the 2022 FIFA World Cup were all played in either Sydney and Melbourne.
But the FIFA Women’s World Cup has replenished the coffers and it’s hard to understand why second-round qualifiers against minnows like Bangladesh can’t be played in cities like Canberra or Perth – or even, weather permitting, Townsville – that rarely see competitive fixtures.
That’s especially the case when none of Australia’s recent fixtures in Sydney or Melbourne have gone close to selling out.
(Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)
But perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the Socceroos’ win over Bangladesh was not the attendance figure – officially announced as 20,876 at the ground we all know as AAMI Park – but the fact that a vocal minority of supporters felt their allegiance to Melbourne Victory was more important than supporting the national team.
We all heard the anti-Sydney FC chants. Some fans in the stands also alleged that Maclaren was even booed after bagging his hat-trick.
And in days gone by, the older members of Australia’s home end would have told those who aimed club-based chants at the national team to pull their heads in.
But after five consecutive trips to the World Cup finals, plenty of older fans have dropped off – and the vacuum has been filled by the sort of anti-social internet tough guys who now appear to make up Melbourne Victory’s home end.
Some of their chants on Thursday night were embarrassing.
And with the Socceroos having already pledged to donate a percentage of their match fees from tomorrow night’s clash with Palestine in Kuwait towards humanitarian aid, it’s a shame some fans can’t seem to leave their club allegiances at the door when supporting the national team.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
so what's your vice, Cross-Country Volleyball, or the World's Highest Paying Probation Scheme
Parsifal
Roar Rookie
You mention the word embarrassing with regard to chanting but seem oblivious to the utterly cringeworthy name for the mens national team. Socceroos? Now, that's truly embarrasing.
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
As for the Iran Iraq match I was working on the Hume highway on the day clearing African Olives. There was a constant stream of cars travelling south flying flags of Iran and Iraq - It may well have been a cracker of a game but the crowd was mostly non ACT residents.
AR
Roar Rookie
“ Are the Victorian police working hand in hand with these thugs because thats the impression one gets.” Yep. That’s the impression we all get.
AR
Roar Rookie
“ Meanwhile cricket gets saturation coverage all over the msm.” You mean to say that the Australian media were actually covering the Australian cricket team when it’s was playing in World Cup finals..??!!! Outrageous.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
And you're right, the supporters were nothing short of first class. For me it proves that the world's issues are caused by a minute group of individuals questionable psychological stability who have a yearning for 1985. It is so sad that the world cannot be more like that football match.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
i had a Dutch mate with me, who was a flat out Eurosnob, that game changed him for good Chris, was a ripper. My wife and I still talk about that game.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Would not win it
chris1
Roar Rookie
I still remember that Iran v Iraq match. What a game and what an atmosphere. Plus the history between those 2 countries added a lot of spice. The Iranian fans were some of the best I've ever seen. Noisy and colourful and not a hint of aggression about them.
chris1
Roar Rookie
LH it was all about money and could you stump up the 500k to get in. I know because my club went through it all.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Grem they don't call each other out because they don't see anything wrong with sticking the boot into the sokkah. If their heroes like the Eddie Maguires and Ray Hadleys of this world do it, then it's ok for them and their tr oll buddies to do it as well. They don't see the irony (maybe too thick to?) to come on the football tab and criticise football and then cry like big babies when they get hammered. I couldn't care less what people are saying on the AFL tab because I don't follow that game.
ant
Roar Rookie
Mate, stop being so single-minded, and grow up to the fact that some people like cricket more. You can like football more, great! No problem. But stop insulting people who don't like exactly the things you like.
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
That's putting it nicely Chris1. I can think of a few other words to describe him.
Grem
Roar Rookie
He is and nasty as well. Few comments about football (never positive), more antagonistic replies to football followers who stay in our own section. The cricket competition that was recently held was a very good competition. I was actually lucky enough to attend a game in Delhi (with very few spectators). It was not a world cup- there are not enough teams, so you are correct. If it was a true world cup then Australia would never win it 6 times and Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the West Indies (not even a country) would win it! It’s funny how this antagonistic man of many names criticises us for making comments about other sports in our section, but doesn’t criticise the constant flow of AFL and league trolls who are regularly in our section – I wonder why?
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Oh i wish i had the wings of a sparrow, and i wish I had the a#@e of a crow, because I'd fly over City tomorrow and *@#& on the trash down below
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Mike, living in Newcastle, I can assure you that there are squillions of kids here would have been going nuts over a Socceroos match in Newy. Similarly, when Australia hosted the Asian Cup, the crowds in Canberra were outstanding. The Iran v Iraq game was one for the ages. Bruce Stadium was packed to bursting point. Wollongong even Hobart, are places you want to be using as an opportunity to strengthen the game, and you will pack out the venues. As for the Melbourne personnel. Struth, you have to admit that Victoria is a special place. It's unique but the football support down there is some of the best in the country. What we have to accept is that football is singing and it's going to happen. But maybe you're right Mike, save the high quality Sydney songs for the derby. Especially for our national teams, who are so heavily supported by younger generations. I remember when Man Utd played in Sydney v Aust back in the 90's the Man Utd supporters were singing the Scousers (Liverpool) song the Sparrow Song (Man City) and nobody really took any offence. I am not sure if you agree, but with politically correct, woke culture society has almost become fragile. There is no thick skin anymore. As young fellas we took no notice of the singing we were absolutely fixed on those red shirts and the fact that we were in the same place as Giggs, Scholes, Butt and the Nevilles.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
you have a look at you is going to be in that Olyroos team and it's going to be a damned good team. I hope the lads do really well.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
ahhh the effectiveness of collaboration between the Cross-Country Volleyball and the Melbourne media.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
thanks TintT and chris1. Obviously place on the NPL ladder wasn't in the selection criteria.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Buddy it's simple really. The msm (like the SMH) ignores football so we just ignore it back. MSM is circling the drain especially the TV networks. Lots of media experts making statements over the past few days of how much trouble they are in and how it's only going to get worse. Channel 10 in all sorts of trouble. One analyst stated that Ch 10 was in the biggest trouble because they had the younger audience and they were feeling the pain first. Channels 7 and 9 not far behind 10. The gravy train that AFL and league have enjoyed over the past decades is running low on gravy.