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A to Z of WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA 2010 - Australia
AUSTRALIA:
2010 will be The Socceroos third appearance in the World Cup Finals. On both previous occasions they were in Germany – 1974 when East and West Germany co-hosted the competition and 2006 when the now united Germany welcomed the Finalists. Australia did not make it beyond Round 1 in ’74 but progressed to the last 16 in 2006 under coach Gus Hiddink. A 2-0 defeat at the hands of Italy, including a hotly disputed penalty (when are they never?) in the 95th minute, saw The Socceroos eliminated and Gus Hiddink move to Moscow as the national coach.
Having previously taken part in the Oceania Football Confederation Qualification Group, Australia was invited in March 2005 to join the much bigger and more prestigious Asian Football Confederation. This resulted in their being able to take part in many more tournaments (rather than friendly matches) and so make better progress. Appearances in the 2006 and 2010 Finals seem to support the wisdom of this move. The Socceroos have reached South Africa by not losing a match in qualification and conceding only 1 goal.
The current squad is managed by the Dutchman Pim Verbeek, previously Assistant Coach to South Korea with Gus Hiddink (2002) and Dick Advocaat (2006). He took up his present appointment in 2007. History students of Arsenal Football club will understand what is meant when it is said that Verbeek’s approach to games is very akin to that of the Gunners’ legendary manager, Herbert Chapman – you already have 1 point before you step onto the field! Not losing is the strategy, one which has not endeared Verbeek to the Aussie media or indeed some of the fans. His defensive outlook is brought to life in the person of his skipper, one Lucas Neill – late of Everton and now of Galatasaray in Turkey. Lucas’s 53 caps have yet to see him score a goal. That precious commodity is likely to come from Tim Cahill: half-Somoan, half-Irish and all Aussie, Cahill has scored 19 times in winning his 37 caps. Betfred are offering odds of 300/1 against TC being the top-scorer in South Africa! Other well-known names in the squad include goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer of Fulham, Scott McDonald of Celtic and ex-Liverpool and Leeds ‘star’ Harry Kewell now also plying his trade for Galatasaray.
Australia, with a FIFA ranking of 21, are drawn in Group D alongside Germany, Serbia and Ghana. There is every expectation that the Germans will win the Group, so Aussie hopes are pinned on a runner-up spot. They have lost only once to Ghana in 7 meetings which include 4 victories. Stan James are offering odds of 9/1 on Australia winning Group D whilst Skybet have them at 5/2 for the runner-up position. Odds of 1/3 on their elimination from the competition can be had from Blue Square. If they do reach the last 16 in second place and England, as expected, win Group C, then the bonus awaiting the Aussies is an elimination decider against the Poms on June 26th. An opportunity for ever-lasting glory in Aussie sporting history would be there for the taking!
Posted: Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 @ 08:01 pm by Mark
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