If you listen to the world’s media discuss Australia’s chances, you’d think we’d never qualified for a single World Cup. Ange Postecoglou’s men are no-hopers who’ll be cannon fodder for the world’s big guns, they opine.
I, on the other hand, am convinced Australia will leave the World Cup with our football reputation enhanced.
The draw is set up exquisitely for the Australians to spring a surprise, get in behind and hurt these higher-ranked nations and who knows, maybe even take a big scalp?
Of course that optimism defies logic. But football isn’t logical. And I understand what pressure does.
Is there anything worse than going into the biggest sporting tournament in the world with an entire nation’s expectations on your shoulders? Just ask England. Or Brazil.
Playing free and without pressure is a wonderful thing. Pressure weighs you down – it forces you to question your decision making for fear of making a mistake. Postecoglou will let his players know it’s the opposition and not them that will be crucified by the media if they lose.
There’s part of me that totally gets the cannon fodder reasoning. But there are no easy games anymore. Everyone at the World Cup can play. Including Australia, who’ll play free of the pressure of expectations and enjoy the ride.
Pressure is something most if not all players from our opponents Spain, Holland and Chile will be used to at club level – but there pressure of losing to Australia on the biggest stage of all for their country will make them very nervous.
As Ange himself noted at a recent function which I hosted for some key industry figures, if it’s ten minutes to go and three points aren’t in the bag, who do you think will be more nervous? The backlash from the press back home will be colossal if they allowed these cheeky upstarts from down-under to sneak a draw or worse still defeat them.
Mindset aside, we have a coach who’s daring. And inspirational. And won’t think twice about throwing the dice late on to get a result.
Strap yourselves in, we won’t die wondering. I’m tipping goals galore in the Aussie games rather than three cautious, dull encounters. How good will that be?
And Postecoglou has a squad of players who understand and can play ‘modern football’. That is, energy to press, technical ability to keep the ball, desire to chase when not in possession and willingness to get forward rather than sit back and absorb.
The Golden Generation is all but gone, replaced by the Next Generation. How good will they be? We’ll know in four years’ time.
Meanwhile, here we are. Thirty men have been selected from which 23 will be on duty for the Socceroos at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
It’s with immense pride that these Socceroos take our nation into a brave new world. And we’ll be brave in Brazil. Bravery generally gets some reward.
To qualify for a fourth World Cup - our third in a row - is a genuinely laudable achievement for a nation where football is starting to fulfill its massive potential in a crowded sporting landscape.
That the world doesn't rate is perfect.
The final chance to see the Socceroos on home soil before they head to Brazil 2014 will be when they take on South Africa in a farewell game on May 26 in Sydney. Tickets for the match, presented by NAB, are on sale now. Click here to secure yours today.